The Importance of the Turban – Hadhrat Sheikh Zakariyya (Rahmatullahi Alayhi)

Hazrat Shaikh Rahmatullah Alayh has stated in “Khasail-e-Nabawi” which is the Commentary of Shamail Tirmizi, that wearing the turban is a Sunnat “Mustammara” (perpetual).

The commandment from Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam) about wearing the Amaama is also narrated, according to which Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam) has said, “Wear the turban and your forbearance will increase”. Someone asked Hadrat Abdullah bin Umar Radiyallahu Anhu, whether wearing the turban was a Sunnah.

He replied, “Yes, it is a Sunnah”. In a hadith, Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam) has said, “Wear the turban, the Turban is a sign of Islam and distinguishes the Muslim from the disbelievers”. Hazrat Jaabir Radiyallahu Anhu says that when Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam)) entered the city upon victory of Makkah, he was wearing a black turban.

Hadrat Umar bin Harees Radiyallahi Anhu narrates, “I have seen a black turban on the head of Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam). It is stated in ‘Muslim and Nasai’ Sharif that Umar bin Harees Radiyallahi Anhu says that, “It is as if the scene in front of me, when the Rasulullah (Sallalahu Alayhi Wasalam) was delivering Khutba on the pulpit, wearing the turban and its ends were hanging in front of him between the shoulders”.

The practice of Hazrat Shaikh Rahmatullah Alayh regarding the turban:

Once Hazrat Shaikh Rahmatullah Alayh said with much grief and sadness, “Wearing the turban was always my practice, but just as my ailments have disabled me from doing many things, so too have they also made me unable to wear the turban. For many years now, my head is afflicted with intense heat, so much so that even in severe winters, I cannot use anything other than a light cap.

Otherwise it was always customary for me to wear the turban (Ata’at Rasul)”. I, (Hazrat Sufi Muhammad Iqbal), can vividly recall the times before the partition (of India), when I got the blessed opportunity of meeting Hazrat Shaikh Rahmatullah Alayh for the first time. I found him seated on a bed wearing a black turban.

It is very sad that this Sunnah Mustamarra is being neglected, to such an extent that even in the winter period, wearing woollen caps is becoming common. The turban because of its shape covers the forehead also, and it loose ends provide protection to the neck from both heat and cold. These are the parts of the body that are usually affected by severe cold and heat. At this point, a word of caution is necessary.

If following the Sunnah is evident in someone, but he is wearing a woollen cap, objections should not be raised about this. It is quite possible that the person has some valid excuse for wearing the cap. However, it is improper for those without a legitimate excuse to abandon this Sunnah merely on account of laziness.

Particularly nowadays, when this Sunnah is generally being neglected, special care should be observed to practice it. In doing so, Insha Allah, there will be tremendous reward.

Extracted from HAZRAT MAULANA MUHAMMAD ZAKARIYYA RAHMAT-ULLAH-ALAYH’S ADHERENCE TO THE SUNNAH AND LOVE FOR RASULULLAH (SALLALU ALAYHI WASALAM) by Hazrat Sufi Iqbal Rahmatullah Alayh