Question:
Assalamu’alaykum,
As taught to us (although I’m female), using the turban is a Sunnah for men. However, I noticed that there were several occasions where the arrival of Mawlana in our country, men are encouraged not to use turban at events involving the general public, except for Mawlana and his entourage. The reason is to avoid giving the impression of exclusivity to the general public.
Please give us clue, whether it is an order of Mawlana or just the event organizer’s worries. My brother and some friends were confused since they are learning to implement the Sunnah to wear turban.
My apologize if there is any flippancy and please pray for us to be better in loving Prophet Saw through Sultanul Awliya and Mawlana. May Allah bless Sultanul Awliya and Mawlana with more light and love.
Please kiss Mawlana’s hand for us.
Jazakumullah khoiron katsiron.
Wassalamu’alaykum wr wb.
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
There is an Arabic qaida, rule, that al-amru fawq al-adab – “To obey the order is better than following the known way of discipline.” What this means is, if the leader of the group or jama`ah, who is undoubtedly not putting his own opinion, requests certain behavior, dress or activity, then that should be followed. If he wishes, he may explain, and if not, one should trust his judgment, unless a clear conflict occurs with Islamic law, and Allah knows best.
Once we attended a large Mawlid celebration with Mawlana Shaykh Hisham. One of the group had no beard and no turban but Shaykh Hisham asked the organizers to put him in the front row of the procession marching through the streets of a British town, reciting praise of the Prophet (s) . The many mashaykh in the front row were displeased, and one objected saying “he has no beard!” Shaykh Hisham replied, “His beard is inside, leave him,” meaning he may not have the outer-wear but he has the inner qualities to qualify him to stand in the front row of mashaykh praising the Prophet (s).
In this particular case, it is common for our mashaykh to reduce causes of “difference” and the feeling of strangeness in public events where newcomers may not be aware of the sunnah. Later, as they become closer, they will be naturally introduced to these ways.
Taher Siddiqui
