The Criterion for the Garb of Distinction
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There are some good young men in our city who wear the turban, especially on occasions such as Jumu'ah and the festivals. We spoke with them and told them that wearing it is not a Sunnah, but rather it is due to the custom of the country, and that it may be a garment of distinction and differentiation in the current time. Their answer was that this is the dress of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), and that he did it, and we have him as a role model. They said that when people moved away from the religion, they rejected this dress. What is your opinion and guidance in this matter, may Allah preserve you and protect you?
Our view is that this statement requires a deep dive into fiqh. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wore the turban, and he wore the izar, and he wore the rida; because the people were wearing them.And the meaning of that is: Wearing what people have become accustomed to, provided it is not specifically forbidden, is a Sunnah.
As for what is forbidden by its type, such as silk for men, or by its nature, such as men wearing garments that hang below the ankles; this is not permissible even if people are accustomed to it. But what is permissible and is the custom of the people; then the Sunnah is to dress as they dress; because if you deviate from that, it becomes a distinction (shuhrah). And no person can bring evidence that the Messenger ordered the turban. If he had ordered it, we would have known that it is an act of worship; because everything the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered is worship, except for things where evidence indicates they are for permissibility. But there is no hadith ordering its wearing; rather, it was from the action of the Messenger; because the people were accustomed to this.And say to these brothers: So wear an izar and a rida; because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to wear an izar and a rida, and he used to wear the shirt sometimes.
So we say to the brothers: Your doing this is a distinction (shuhrah), especially if it is on occasions.And it is as if the doer is saying to the people: Look at me, for I am the one who follows the Sunnah. And whoever does not have this dress; he is not on the Sunnah. This is the language of his state; even if he does not mention it with the language of his speech.
So my advice to them is to dress as the people dress. And here are our previous and later scholars; we have not seen any of them doing that. And they are on a high level of righteousness, piety, knowledge, and eagerness to adhere to the Sunnah. And they are more knowledgeable than these people without a doubt.
And I say: Convey to them that we thank them for their insistence on following the Sunnah, but I would like them to first deepen their understanding of the Sunnah, and know what the Shari'ah wants from the unity and agreement of the people, and their not differing, even in dress. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade distinction in clothing and said: (Whoever wears a garment of distinction, Allah will clothe him on the Day of Resurrection with a garment like it, and then He will set fire to it) .
Our view is that this statement requires a deep dive into fiqh. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) wore the turban, and he wore the izar, and he wore the rida; because the people were wearing them.And the meaning of that is: Wearing what people have become accustomed to, provided it is not specifically forbidden, is a Sunnah.
As for what is forbidden by its type, such as silk for men, or by its nature, such as men wearing garments that hang below the ankles; this is not permissible even if people are accustomed to it. But what is permissible and is the custom of the people; then the Sunnah is to dress as they dress; because if you deviate from that, it becomes a distinction (shuhrah). And no person can bring evidence that the Messenger ordered the turban. If he had ordered it, we would have known that it is an act of worship; because everything the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered is worship, except for things where evidence indicates they are for permissibility. But there is no hadith ordering its wearing; rather, it was from the action of the Messenger; because the people were accustomed to this.And say to these brothers: So wear an izar and a rida; because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) used to wear an izar and a rida, and he used to wear the shirt sometimes.
So we say to the brothers: Your doing this is a distinction (shuhrah), especially if it is on occasions.And it is as if the doer is saying to the people: Look at me, for I am the one who follows the Sunnah. And whoever does not have this dress; he is not on the Sunnah. This is the language of his state; even if he does not mention it with the language of his speech.
So my advice to them is to dress as the people dress. And here are our previous and later scholars; we have not seen any of them doing that. And they are on a high level of righteousness, piety, knowledge, and eagerness to adhere to the Sunnah. And they are more knowledgeable than these people without a doubt.
And I say: Convey to them that we thank them for their insistence on following the Sunnah, but I would like them to first deepen their understanding of the Sunnah, and know what the Shari'ah wants from the unity and agreement of the people, and their not differing, even in dress. For this reason, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) forbade distinction in clothing and said: (Whoever wears a garment of distinction, Allah will clothe him on the Day of Resurrection with a garment like it, and then He will set fire to it) .