Tell me the importance of TOPI (CAP)for Muslims? Some of my friends told me its mustahab, so if u insist upon someone to wear Topi (cap) so it will become biddah.
But i have read many times the importance of the topi(CAP),like HAzoor Sallalahu alaihi wassalam always wore it
If someone ignore the Sunnah of Topi (CAP) and say its mustahib so is it right? Can we refute such a person?
Answer
The covering of the head is a Sunnah at all times. It is stated in Fatawa Al-Hindiyyah:
وقد صح أنه صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم كان يلبسها كذا في الوجيز للكردري (الفتاوى الهندية – (ج 5 / ص 330)
“It is authentically proven that prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to adorn the topi (religious hats/caps), as mentioned in ‘Al Wajiz of Al Kardary.” (Fatawa Al-Hindiyyah, 5 / 330)
Likewise, it is mentioned in Khulasah al-Fatawa:
“It is authentically proven that the prophet (sallallahu alayi wa sallam) had many topis which he used to wear.” (Khulasah al fatawa 4/369, Rashidiyyah)
‘Allamah Ibn Jawzi (may Allah be pleased with him) has also classified the topi as Sunnah. (The crown of a believer, page 27, with reference to the Sharh of ‘Allamah Munawi on Shamaail 1/203)
In fact, ‘Allamah Ibn al Arabi (may Allah be pleased with) mentions that the topi is from the dress of all the Ambiya and pious:
Similarly, ‘Allamah Al-Qastallani (may Allah be pleased with him) mentioned that the prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to wear a topi which used to be attached to his head. This used to be under his turban. (Al-Mawahib al-laduniyyah al-matboo’ bi sharh Az-Zarqani alayhi 269/6)
Hereunder are a few Ahadith which should serve as substantiation to the statements of the illustrious Scholars quoted above:
“The difference between us and the polytheists is that we wear the turban on the topi” (Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi and Al Hakim)
“Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to wear a white topi. (Narrated by Imam Bayhaqi and Tabrani)
“Khalid bin Walid (May Allah be pleased with him) mentioned, ‘We performed Umrah with the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) at the time when he performed Umrah. The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) shaved his head and people hastened to collect his hair. I raced to his forelock and collected (the hair). I then took a topi and placed the hair of the forelocks in the front portion of it. As a result (of the barakah of the hair), I was blessed with victory wherever I went with it.” (Narrated by Abu Ya’la al- Musily and At-Tabrani)
In the above narration, it is mentioned that while demonstrating how people will raise their heads for a martyr on the day of judgement, either the topi of the prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) or the topi of Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) fell off.
There are also numerous authentic narrations which show that various Sahabah used to wear topis. Here are a few:
“Nafi (May Allah have mercy on him) narrates that when Ibn Umar (May Allah be pleased with him) used to wipe his head, he used to lift his topi and wipe the front portion of his head.” (Ad-Dar Qutni and Bayhaqi)
قال العباس : فسمعت رجلا كان معي يقال له مذ كم رأيته ؟ قال : رأيته منذ أكثر من مائة سنة قال و كان عليه جوربان و نعلان قال و كان أتى على أبي إسحاق نحو من عشرين و مائة سنة (المستدرك على الصحيحين للحاكم مع تعليقات الذهبي في التلخيص – (ج 3 / ص 381)
Abu Ishaq Al Ajrab says, “I saw Abu Darda (May Allah be pleased with him)….and I saw he was wearing a double layered topi.”(Mustadrak Hakim(
“Ash’ath (May Allah have mercy on him) narrates from his father that Abu Musa (al-Ash’ari) emerged from the toilet and he had on a topi upon which he then wiped.” (Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 8/213)
All the above narrations show that the topi is Sunnah. However, it is not emphasized, and therefore, a person should not be forced to wear a topi. Yes, those who have the responsibility of nurturing may enforce it on those below them. For example a father to a child, or a teacher to a student.
And Allaah Ta’aala knows best
Wassalaam,
Ismail Moosa (Mufti)