Covering the Head during Prayer is Sunnah

14-12-2003 | IslamWeb

Question:

In Sri Lanka, Islam is growing very fast and by the time problems also raising between parties in Muslim community. My question is covering the head. In Sri Lanka 99% Muslims are covering the head while praying and 50% are also in full time I am also. Is it Sunnah? I think so. What is your Fatwa? I have seen 62 Ahadith which describe covering head.

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Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is well established that the Prophet used to wear a turban, as in the Hadeeth narrated by ‘Amr Ibn Hurayth who said: “I saw the Prophet on the pulpit wearing a black turban, the tail of which let loose between his shoulders.” [Muslim, Abu Dawood and others, and the wording is Abu Dawood’s]

The scholars stated that wearing a turban is a Sunnah of the Prophet and that uncovering the head while performing Prayers or at any other time is allowed. The Prayers performed by someone without a turban covering his head are valid.

They stated that covering the head with a turban or its like during Prayers is recommended and desirable for whoever takes it as a matter of good appearance and elegant attire. This is evidenced in the Saying of Allah (which means): {O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid.} [Quran 7:31]

In Asia, as it is noticeable, lots of Muslims are in the habit of covering their heads, which is a practice worth maintaining while performing Prayers.

We pray to Allah the Almighty that He may increase the spread of Islam in Sri Lanka and in all parts of the world, protect all Muslims from the evil of the disbelievers, and make them steadfast on the Straight Path.

Allah knows best.