Q: I had always been taught that the topi is the crown of a believer and part of the Sunnah attire. However, I was recently told by a close friend that the topi is not part of the Sunnah attire and has no basis in Deen. It was worn in the time of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the Sahaaba (Radhiyallahu Anhum) as a customary or traditional dress. Similarly I would like to know whether the Sahaaba wore the topi at the time of Salaah?
A: Wearing the topi is a Mubarak Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and a salient feature of Islam. In every era of Islam commencing from the era of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) special importance and significance was afforded to the topi. It is reported in authentic Ahaadeeth that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) and the Sahaaba (Radhiyallahu Anhum) wore the topi.
During the Khilafat of Hazrath Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) the kuffaar began wearing topis and turbans in order to deceive the Muslims and receive the same recognition in society which was afforded to the Muslims in the Islamic state. When Hazrath Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhu) perceived this he immediately prohibited them, and drew up a constitution which was governed by the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). He enshrined in the constitution the distinguishing characteristics and salient features of Islam and thus prohibited the kuffaar from adopting these codes of conduct. Similarly he prohibited the kuffaar from adopting the Islamic attire and from wearing the topis and turbans of the Muslims (Iqtidaa us Siraatil mustaqeem 1/363-4).
It is reported in the Hadith of Bukhaari Shareef that the Sahaaba performed Salaah with their topis.
قال الحسن كان القوم يسجدون على العمامة و القلنسوة ( بخاري – باب السجود علي الثوب في شدة الحر 1/56)
Hazrat Hasan Basri (Rahmatullahi Alayhi) says, “The Sahaabah (Radhiyallahu Anhum) would make sajdah during salaah on their turbans and topis.”
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
إن أمير المؤمنين عمررضي الله عنه في الصحابة رضي الله عنهم ، ثم عامة الأئمة بعده ، وسائر الفقهاء ، جعلوا في الشروط المشروطة على أهل الذمة من النصارى وغيرهم فيما شرطوه على أنفسهم : أن نوقر المسلمين ، ونقوم لهم من مجالسنا إذا أرادوا الجلوس ، ولا نتشبه بهم في شيء من ملابسهم : قلنسوة أو عمامة… ( قاله ابن تيمية رحمه الله في كتابه اقتضاء الصراط المستقيم و قال بعد نقل الحديث رواه حرب {الكرماني} باسناد جيد, 1/363-364)
Answered by:
Mufti Zakaria Makada
Checked & Approved:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)