Is it better for the seeker of knowledge to wear the iqaal or not?
Question: 91640
It is known that wearing the ‘Iqaal (the headband worn in the Gulf States) is permissible thing as it was not prohibited. The issue of the ‘Iqaal should not take a bigger importance than it deserves but yet I have a question: is it preferred for the student of knowledge, the khateeb of the Friday prayer, the imam of the mosque or whoever in such positions to wear the ‘Iqaal in those positions or not, as it is a habit here in my country? And why? May Allah reward you and bless you with success.
Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.
Wearing the iqaal is permissible, as you say, and it is
better for a person to follow the customs of his country so that he will not
stand out among them because of his odd dress or appearance.
If the tradition is for the people of knowledge – judges,
khateebs and imams of mosques – not to wear the iqaal, and you are one of
them, then it may be said that it is better not to wear it, but if someone
wears it, it does not matter.
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was
asked: What is the ruling on wearing the iqaal, as I see that the imams and
muezzins do not wear it.
He replied: There is nothing wrong with wearing the iqaal,
because the basic principle with regard to clothing is that it is
permissible so long as there is no evidence that it is haraam. Allaah
denounced those who regarded kinds of clothing or food as haraam with no
shar’i evidence. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
“Say (O Muhammad صلى الله
عليه وسلم): Who has forbidden the adornment with clothes given by
Allaah, which He has produced for His slaves, and At-Tayyibaat [all kinds of
Halaal (lawful) things] of food?”
[al-A’raaf 7:32]
But if there is evidence which indicates that this clothing
is haraam in and of itself, such as silk for men and that which contains
images for men and women, or it is haraam because of its type, such as if
this clothing is clothing of the kuffaar and is worn only by them, then it
is haraam, otherwise the basic principle is that it is permissible. End
quote from Fataawa Islamiyyah (4/246).
And Allaah knows best.
Source:
Islam Q&A
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