Fatwa ID: 02602

Answered by: Maulana Mujahid Hussain

Question

My question is: What types of dress, head-wear and footwear did the Prophet (Peace be upon him) wear? And what colours?

Also, is it permissible for a male to wear the "ghutrah" (male head-covering usually worn by Arabs) since the Jews wear something similar on their heads (called a "tallit")? Are there any narrations of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) wearing it?

Answer

The narrations indicate that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam did wear the following

1. Ridaa . An upper garment wrapped around the body
2. Qamees. A sown upper garment.
3. Izaar. A lower garment wrapped around the legs and hips.
4. Sarwaal. A sown lower garment. There is, however, a difference of opinion whether the prophet had actually worn this but some of the people of Madina would wear this.
5. E’mamah. A turban wrapped around the head.
6. Jubbah. There are a few reliable narration which mentions the Prophet had worn a Jubbah.

The Prophet  ( صلّ الله عليه و سلّم ) wore the clothes available at his time and did not designate any particular clothes for a Muslim to wear, The prophet loved the Qamees as it covered a person’s body more than the Ridaa.

Yes, it is permissible to wear the Ghutrah and it does not amount to the resemblance of the Jews for the following reasons.

1. The prohibition of resemblance usually applies in religions matters, not general affairs.
2. Mufti Taqi Usmani mentions when something becomes popular amongst different groups of people and different religions then the rules of resemblance do not apply, just like wearing a shirt and trousers does not amount to the resemblance of any particular people as its wore by all kinds of people throughout the world including Muslims. Only Allah Knows best.

Written by Maulana Mujahid Hussain.

Checked and approved by Mufti Tosir Miah 

Darul Ifta Birmingham