Question:
Is wearing camel-hump style hijabs (a style of hijab in which the hair is tied in a bun at the top of the head and a hijab is worn over) permissible? I have heard some people quote a hadith saying it is not permissible? Is this correct?
Answer:
بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما
The hadith you are referring to is as follows:
Abu Hurayra رضي الله عنه reports that the Messenger of Allah a said, “There are two groups of the people of the fire, whom I have not yet seen. A group of people carrying whips resembling the tails of a cow which they would use to lash people. And another group of women who are clothed, yet naked, disinclined from Allah’s obedience and causing others to follow in their ways. Their heads are similar to the humps of camels. They will not enter Jannah nor smell its fragrance, though its fragrance could (usually) be smelt from a far distance.
[Muslim]
Though some people have used the aforementioned hadith as a basis of prohibition for camel-hump style hijabs. However, it is clear that the hadith is not referring to any style of hijab, rather it is referring to women who are not wearing hijab at all and have their hair tied in that manner. Thus, it would be incorrect to use the aforementioned hadith as a basis for prohibition in this issue. Nonetheless, it would be best to avoid such style of hijab or any style which could potentially attract more attention since the purpose of hijab is to conceal one’s hair and beauty and not to attract attention. This can also be understood from the following verse:
“And women should not expose their beauty except that which is (already) apparent thereof…”
[Surah al-Noor: 31]
And Allah knows best.
Approved by: Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani