It is recommended for a man to cover his head during prayer
Fatwa No : 216982
Fatwa Date : Shawwaal 25, 1434 / 1-9-2013
Question
NABI S.A.W.S HAS EVER PRAYED WITHOUT COVERING HIS HEAD... GIVE ANS WITH AUTHENTIC HADEEETH.
Answer
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad , is His Slave and Messenger.
We have previously pointed out in Fataawa 89242 and 82625 that covering the head is not obligatory in prayer and that there is no explicit evidence, as far as we know, for the dislike ability of offering prayer bareheaded.
Likewise, we do not know any Hadeeth that proves that the Prophet , never prayed bareheaded.
However, there is a Hadeeth, with a weak chain of narrators stating that the Prophet , would sometimes remove his cap and place it in front of him as a Sutrah (an object that prevents others from passing in front of the praying person within his praying area) while offering the prayer.
However, the Noble Quran proved that one should take his adornment for prayer in the saying of Allaah The Almighty:
{Take your adornment at every Masjid.}
[Quran 7:31]
Therefore, scholars view that covering the head in prayer is recommended.
Al-Mawsoo‘ah Al-Fiqhiyyah (Fiqh Encyclopedia) reads: "There is no difference in opinion among jurists regarding the recommendation of covering the head in prayer for men with a turban or the like because the Prophet , used to pray covering his head. As for women, it is obligatory upon them to cover their head in prayer." [End quote]
It was also stated in the Fataawa of the Permanent Committee of Iftaa': "It is recommended for the one who offers prayer to be in his best and most beautiful shape and most complete purity and cleanness for Allaah The Almighty says (what means):
{Take your adornment at every Masjid.}
[Quran 7:31], meaning for every prayer.
Also, it was reported from Ibn ‘Umar when he was asked about the one who offers prayer bareheaded:
"Allaah The Almighty has more right on one to adorn himself for Him than all other people.""
[End quote]
Moreover, some scholars viewed that offering prayer bareheaded is disliked. Shaykh Al-Albaani said in Tamaam Al-Minnah:
"My opinion on this issue is that praying bareheaded is something disliked; as it is acknowledgeable that it is desirable for the Muslim to enter prayer in the most perfect Islamic appearance, due to the Hadeeth: "Allaah is worthier of your self- adornment than anyone else."
Indeed, it is not part of excellent attire according to the customs of the Salaf (our righteous predecessors) to habitually uncover one's head, and be in such a manner while walking in the street or entering places of worship. Rather, it is a foreign (non-Muslim) custom which infiltrated many Islamic countries when the disbelievers invaded them and brought their habits along with them.
The Muslims began to imitate them in this regard, and by doing so and following other similar customs, they lost their Islamic personality."
[End quote]
Allaah Knows best.
Authentic Ahadeeths about wearing the Turban (عمامة)
**1. Hadith on the Prophet's Black Turban**
عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ حُرَيْثٍ قَالَ: كَأَنِّي أَنْظُرُ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ وَعَلَيْهِ عِمَامَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ قَدْ أَرْخَى طَرَفَيْهَا بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ
‘Amr ibn Hurayth reported: *"It is as if I can see the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the pulpit wearing a black turban with its two ends hanging between his shoulders."*
** Sahih Muslim 1359 .
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**2. Hadith on the Turban During the Conquest of Mecca**
عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ قَالَ: دَخَلَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مَكَّةَ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ وَعَلَيْهِ عِمَامَةٌ سَوْدَاءُ
Jabir ibn Abdullah reported: *"The Prophet (ﷺ) entered Mecca on the Day of Conquest wearing a black turban."*
** Sunan al-Tirmidhi (Shama'il) .
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**3. Hadith on Letting the Turban’s End Hang**
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ إِذَا اعْتَمَّ أَرْخَى عِمَامَتَهُ بَيْنَ كَتِفَيْهِ
Ibn Umar reported: *"When the Prophet (ﷺ) wrapped his turban, he let its end hang between his shoulder blades."*
* Sunan al-Tirmidhi .
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**4. Hadith on Turbans as a Distinction from Polytheists**
عَنْ رُكْنَةَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «الْفَرْقُ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الْمُشْرِكِينَ الْعَمَائِمُ عَلَى الْقَلَانِسِ
Rukanah reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: *"The distinction between us and the polytheists is wearing turbans over caps."*
Sunan Abu Dawud 4075, Sunan al-Tirmidhi 3919 .
**5. Angels Wore Turbans at Badr**
قال النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم في غزوة بدر: "رأيت الملائكة يوم بدر معتمين بعمائم بيض
**Translation:** The Prophet (ﷺ) said regarding the Battle of Badr: *"I saw the angels on the day of Badr wearing white turbans."*
*Musnad Ahmad* (23074) — classified as *Hasan* by some scholars
**Notes on Authenticity**
- The above Hadiths are graded **Sahih (authentic)** or **Hasan (good)** by scholars .
- Avoid fabricated narrations claiming exaggerated virtues (e.g., "prayer in a turban equals 70 prayers"), as these are **weak (da’eef)** or **fabricated (mawdoo’)** .
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**Key Points from Scholars**
1. **Permissibility & Sunnah**: Wearing a turban is a confirmed Sunnah but not obligatory. It was part of Arab custom and the Prophet’s practice .
2. **Intentions Matter**: Wear it to emulate the Prophet (ﷺ), not for pride or showing off .
3. **Styles & Colors**: The Prophet wore black, white, and other colors. No strict rules exist, but avoid styles tied to specific sects if they cause confusion .
