Question Summary:
Performing Salah bareheaded

Question Detail:

I am a revert and have been one for a few years now and I am 22 years old
 
I follow the hanafi madhaab and do dawah often and im learning knowledge alhamdulilah but I want to know regarding the issue of wearing the topi and covering the head in salah
 
in the hanafi madhaab it says it is makruh tanzihi to pray bareheaded and it is not an obligation nor part of the conditions of salah being valid
I sometimes wear the topi but most of the time I dont it is not because I dislike the topi it is because all my life even when i was non muslim I wasnt really used to wearing headgear or hats as I prefer my hair showing 
 
Is this considered to be contempt if I prefer praying without topi as due to me not being used to wearing headgear most of my life some people say it is imitating the christians who pray bareheaded
 
Also if I lead someone in salah ( which I have done sometimes) bare headed is this considered makruh tahrimi? I ask because some people here are very particular wearing topi but some dont keep a beard also some people frown on people who are bare headed and treat it as like an obligation what should i do?

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Respected brother,
Your reversion to Islam, dawah to others and seeking knowledge of Islam are all highly commendable acts. May Allah Ta’ala keep you steadfast on Islam and make you a pioneer of the great Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam). Aameen.
As Muslims, we should try to follow the teachings of Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and emulate him in every aspect of our lives. Bringing complete Sunnah in our life will bring us benefit in this world and the hereafter. Allah Ta’ala states:
قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ
Translation: (Allah Ta’ala ordered Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to announce), “If you love Allah then follow me, Allah will then love you and forgive your sins. Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful. [3:31]
The topi is great Sunnah of Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and an outstanding feature of Islam. Consider the following Hadeeth:
كان رسولُ الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يَلْبَسُ قَلَنْسُوَةً بيضاءَ 
Translation: Rasulullah (sallAllahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) would wear a white topi.[1]
Imam Bukhari (rahimahullah) mentions the statement of Hasan Basri (rahimahullah):
كان القوم يسجدون علي العمامة والقلنسوة
Translation: The Sahaba (radhiyAllahu ‘anhum) would perform sajdah (prostrate) on turbans and topis.[2]
When we see a person wearing a topi, regardless of which part of the world we are in, we identify him as a Muslim. It is thus necessary for us to hold fast to our Muslim identity and strive to distinguish ourselves from the disbelievers.
The Fuqahaa (jurists) have ruled that it is a reprehensible act (makrooh) to perform and lead others in Salaah bareheaded.[3]
Consider the following incident mentioned by ‘Allamah Muhammad Zaahid Kowthari (rahimahullah) concerning leaving the head exposed. [4]
 
When the Russians conquered the Baltic Muslim Sates in 1280 A.H., they forced the Muslims to expose their heads when entering the courts of their governors. Allah filled the heart of one of the ‘Ulama with Islamic-patriotism and self respect to such a degree that he refused to accept this coercion and abasement and therefore approached the Ruler and said to him: “You promised us that you will not interfere in our religious matters, yet you force us to enter the courts of the governors bareheaded, when in fact this is not allowed in Islam.”
 
The Ruler replied: “I will call a conference of your ‘Ulama to see whether their viewpoints on this matter conform to yours.” They were called, but did not lend him any support and were very shaky and indecisive, however, this ‘Alim was firm on his stand.
 
The Ruler then said to him: “Put your proofs down on paper; I will send them to the Grand Mufti of the Empire. If he conforms to your view, I will then issue a decree exempting the Muslims of your region from this law in spite of you standing alone on this matter. However, if he also opposes your view, then you will have to bear the consequences of being so obstinate.”
 
The ‘Alim agreed and wrote the following:
“The Muslims do not remove their topis when entering the masjids and when in salah in front of Allah. If they remove it when entering your courts, it will be as if they are honouring you more than Allah and this is completely impermissible.”
 
The Ruler then sent it to the Grand Mufti who concurred with this staunch ‘Alim, as a result of which all the Muslims of that state where excused from this compulsion.[5]
 
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Fahad Abdul Wahab
Student Darul Iftaa
USA
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai                                                                                                                                                                                                                
www.Daruliftaa.net