Head pieces ‘maang tikka’ for women
| Fatwa #1601 | Category: Miscellaneous | Country: | Date: 19th September 2025 |
| Fatwa #1601 | Date: 19th September 2025 |
| Category: Miscellaneous | |
| Country: | |
Question
I wanted to ask, are we allowed to wear head pieces ,(maang tikkas) in a gathering where there’s only women?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
The default rule is that it is permissible for women to adorn their heads or hair with jewellery as is the case with the rest of the body provided it is for her lawful spouse and not infront of non-mahrams.
However, with regards to the ‘maang tikka’ or anything resembling it, it is a centuries old traditional Hindu wedding ornament that is significant to the ‘16 bridal ornaments’ that are worn by Hindu brides. It is said to bestow the wearer with wisdom as it sits on the centre of the forehead which is known to them as the ‘third eye’ or the ‘Ajna Chakra’, the ‘seat of wisdom’. It is also believed to protect the bride from the evil eye.
Whilst the ‘maang tikka’ is not exclusive to Hinduism, it is nonetheless a quintessential part of Hindu tradition for brides. Therefore, a Muslim is expected to strongly avoid such headwear due to the religious connotations that exist behind it. There are many permissible ways to adorn oneself without resembling people of other faiths.
Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said,[1]
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ
Translation: “Whoever imitates a nation/people, then he will be part of them”. (Abu Dawood – 4031)
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Bilal Pandor
Concurred by
Mufti Muhammad Patel
Darul Iftaa Mahmudiyyah
Lusaka, Zambia
4031 – حَدَّثَنَا عُثْمَانُ بْنُ أَبِي شَيْبَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو النَّضْرِ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ ثَابِتٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَسَّانُ بْنُ عَطِيَّةَ، عَنْ أَبِي مُنِيبٍ الْجُرَشِيِّ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ»