We often hear that performing Salah with a turban is seventy times more rewarding. Is this authentic?
Answer
In general, to wear a turban is a Sunnah. Offering Salah with a turban is rewarding and is reported as the habit of the Sahabah (radiyallahu ‘anhum).
(Sub heading of Sahih Bukhari before hadith: 385)
Unfortunately the hadith you question is unauthentic.
1) Sayyiduna Jabir (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘ Performing two rakats of salah with a turban is better than seventy salahs performed without a turban’.
(Musnadul Firdaws, hadith: 3054)
‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) says this hadith is not proven. It is therefore not suitable to be quoted.
(Al Maqasidul Hasanah, hadith: 717)
2) Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Nabi (sallalahu ‘alayhi wa salla) said: ‘Compulsory or optional Salah perfomed with a turban is equivalent to twenty five salahs perfomed without a turban, and performing one Jumu’ah with a turban is equivalent to seventy Jumu’ahs performed without a turban…’
(Tarikh ibn ‘Asakir, vol. 39 pg. 261)
Hafiz ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has declared the above hadith as a fabrication. ‘Allamah Sakhawi and ‘Allamah Munawi (rahimahumallah) are also of this view.
(See Al Maqasidul Hasanah, hadith: 717, Faydul Qadir, hadith: 5101 and Ad Di’amah of Muhammad ibn J’afar Al Kattani, pg. 26)
The ‘Ulama say performing Salah with a turban carries more reward. However this is without specifying any specific amount or number of reward.
(See Fatawa Rashidiyyah pg. 54)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar
Checked by: Moulana Haroon Abasoomar