Wearing a Pakol Topi

Question

My question is regarding the permissibility of wearing the “Pakol Topi” or hat, also known as a “Chitrali Topi” or hat.

Pakol is a soft, flat, rolled-up, round-topped men’s cap, usually worn in South-Central Asia. It is typically made of wool and found in a variety of earthy colours, such as brown, black, grey and ivory, or, dyed red using walnut. The Pakol is believed to have originated in Chitral, or Gilgit-Baltistan in Pakistan.

According to one Alim, this particular hat (Pakol) is similar to the hat which the ZCC (Zionist Christian Church) women wear and, therefore, he says that, due the resemblance it is not permissible, or rather, it is not advisable to wear the Pakol. He bases it on the Hadith which states, “Whoever resembles a nation, then he is from amongst them.”

What is the correct ruling, and is this Aalim’s reasoning correct ?

Mufti Mohammed Desai · Accepted Answer

The hat worn by the ZCC (Zionist Christian Church) is different to the Pakol Topi. The difference is clearly visible between the two hats, hence, there is no issue in wearing the Pakol Topi. No person wearing a ‘Pakol Topi’ is attributed to the Zionist movement. Instead, he will be attributed to Islam and Muslims, which clearly indicates that it is completely different to the Christian hat. However, we advise that a simple white Topi be worn which was the dressing of our pious predecessors, or a Turban with a Topi.

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