Is Hijab Not Valid Unless It Is Black?

Shaykh Bali changed the standard — the question is not about colour. The question is whether the clothing covers or not, and whether it draws attention or not.

How the Question Comes

One sister asked — a statement is circulating in the name of Shaykh Ibn Baz (may Allah have mercy on him) that women are free in the colour of their clothing; they may wear black, green, red, or whatever they like.

The same statement also says — believing that black has a special virtue or closeness to Allah is a bid'ah; but if someone chooses black because it conceals, there is no fault.

Question — How accurate is this statement? Sisters are most confused about exactly this.

Shaykh Bali first said honestly — I do not know whether this statement is attributed to him or not. Then he moved on to the main point.

The Shaykh's Answer

The standard is not colour. The standard is — whether the clothing covers or not, and whether it draws the gaze of men or not.

Brown, dark green, black, dark blue — whichever it is, if it does not draw the attention of men, there is no problem. But if the colour of the hijab draws the gaze of men, the Shaykh says it is makruh.

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) used to say — when leaving the house, a woman should wear old clothes; old clothes both cover and do not catch anyone's eye. Showy adornment, special styles of niqab, or decorations dangling above the head — all of these are disliked.

The Evidence — What Allah Has Said

وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ

And tell the believing women to reduce [some] of their vision and guard their private parts and not expose their adornment except that which [necessarily] appears thereof and to wrap [a portion of] their headcovers over their chests and not expose their adornment [i.e., beauty] except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands' fathers, their sons, their husbands' sons, their brothers, their brothers' sons, their sisters' sons, their women, that which their right hands possess [i.e., slaves], or those male attendants having no physical desire, or children who are not yet aware of the private aspects of women. And let them not stamp their feet to make known what they conceal of their adornment. And turn to Allāh in repentance, all of you, O believers, that you might succeed. (Surah An-Noor 24:31 — Saheeh International; meaning of the complete verse)Copy

The Shaykh also reminds us — no perfume when going out. The Prophet ﷺ said that women should go out without perfume. (Sunan Abi Dawud)

What to Do

1. Do not argue about colour — see whether the clothing covers or not, and whether it draws the eye or not.
2. No showiness in outer clothing; plain and dark colours are the safe choice.
3. Avoid special styles of niqab or decorations dangling above the head.
4. Do not go out wearing perfume — there is a clear prohibition on this.

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Source: Based on a talk by Shaykh Wahid Abdussalam Bali

Translation and compilation: Raqi Faisal Ahmed Sabit — Al Qur'an Ruqyah Healing Center