Is Wearing Turban Style Hijab Haram?
By: Syed Qassim Acabo
Tags: Islamic Fashion, Turban Hijab, The Just Reflections, Religion And Spirituality, Islam

There has been a debate among Muslim women about wearing proper types of hijabs that adhere to the Islamic ethos. Blame it on the evolution of modern fashion. Inspiration of fashion is always rooted back in a lot of different factors — culture, belief, ethnicity, societal norms. These factors add confusion especially to the modern Muslim women who are adept at their fashion statements. Because Islam has a strict dress code especially for women, many are confused about certain styles of hijabs they are allowed to wear. Questions like, “Is turban style hijab haram?” is one of the most common. I’m here to answer this most common question.

But, before anything else let us first dissect the exact definition of what is a turban style hijab.

What is turban style hijab?

Turban hijabs have long been existing in many cultures — not just for Muslims but it’s prevalent for most people in Asia and Africa. Like any other hijab, it is a head garment, usually made with premium silk, woven, or chiffon fabric worn by women to cover their hair or used as an accent to their outfit.

Depending on the wearer’s geographic origin, turban style hijab designs are based on the influence of their culture, ethnicity, race, and traditions.

Many hijabis love to wear this type of garment because of its elegance, its convenience, and its versatility of style options.

The Root of Turban Style Hijab

To date, there has been no proper evidence as to where the turban is originated. But, the most certain is that this type of head garment is worn until this very day. In published historic journals, the origin of the turban is traced back to ancient civilizations such as India, Sumerian, Babylonian, and Mesopotamia some 4000 years ago.

Turban isn’t just worn by women. During the Mughal Empire in the 16th century in India, only the royal entourage and high officials were allowed to wear turbans. It was worn to indicate a status symbol in society. It was the time when Hinduism is the most prevalent faith in the region.

Things have changed when the new Emperor, Aurangzeb came into power in 1658. He used turban as a tool to segregate the population where non-Muslims were banned from wearing the garment. He decreed that only the Islamic ruling class were authorized to wear them.

The ruling of Aurangzeb created a lot of controversies and uprisings. Many religious leaders formed a coalition against the decree of the Emperor — especially Hindus and Sikhs — demanding the freedom of wearing the head garment in-exclusively.

From then on, turbans have often been worn by nobility regardless of religious background and societal status.

The Modern Turban Hijab Worn by Muslim Women

The evolution of fashion adds a significant flare to the story of the turban hijab. Its historical roots have been a hot pick for fashion designers and hijab makers. It’s a mix of the beautiful history and artistry of the Islamic predecessors passed on from generation to generation.

Today, many wear turban style hijab as a symbol of modern Muslim women. By symbol, it means that the new generation of Muslim women who are empowered and are more aware of themselves, more than just a woman. For them, it is the epitome of success, modernity, and liberation.

Supposedly, the turban hijab is worn by many Muslim women to make them feel included in society. Unlike traditional hijabs, women who wear turbans are viewed by younger society as the norm. It’s beautiful. It’s more modern. More accepted by the popular culture. On the contrary, they seem to have forgotten the real reason why women wear hijab in the first place.

Photo by R M from Pexels

Why do Muslim women wear hijab?

Islam is a straightforward religion. The very reason why women in Islam are obliged to wear hijab, regardless of its style, is “to maintain modesty and privacy to men, not their mahram (relatives).”

Hijabs are designed to cover oneself from head to toe, except hands and face.

In Qur’an 33:59, it states that:

“the believing women should lower their gaze and guard their modesty. They should not display their beauty and ornaments… and that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their husbands’ fathers, their sons…”

…and that they should not show their beauty to any man not directly related to them.

Clearly, from the Islamic point of view, the purpose of the hijab is not to adorn oneself to impress men or anyone, instead, it’s to prevent women from any unwanted harm or malicious deed that might trigger a greater offense.

So, is wearing turban style hijab haram?

The four major Sunni Islamic schools of thought — Shafi’i, Maliki, Hanafi, and Hanbali hold the consensus that women must cover their bodies except for their hands and face, especially during prayer. Even for the Shia Muslims.

Given the purpose of the hijab — to cover oneself, wearing the turban style hijab does not meet the basic criteria for that matter.

Turban is a type of hijab that is meant for adornment and fashion style for it has nothing to do with the Islamic norms. The design of the turban hijab is not in any way that adheres to the Sunnah and the Quran. If a hijab is to cover the intimate parts of a woman’s body, it can’t be done with a turban style hijab. Because what this type of garment does is that it only covers the hair leaving all other parts displayed.

Many are saying that wearing turban style hijab is haram. But we are not in any position to give any fatwa about this serious matter. We are neither scholars nor have profound Islamic knowledge on this issue, but the Qur’an is clear on its purpose. As a Muslim, it boils back down to one’s intention as to why the need of wearing certain types of hijab. Is it to suffice your faith? Or to satisfy your desire?