Question # 236: Is wearing necktie in Islam permitted. Some people say it is haram and it has its origin from the Cross?

bismi-llahi r-raḥmani r-raḥīm,

Assalamu ‘laikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

All praise and thanks are due to Allah (سبحانه و تعالى), and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger (صلى الله عليه و سلم).

Dear questioner,

First of all, we implore Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) to help us serve His cause and render our work for His sake.

Shorter Answer: The basic principle with regard to clothes is that they are permissible, unless there is shar’iah evidence to show that they are not allowed, except that it should not be made of natural silk and does not have crosses or pictures of animate creatures. In which case, wearing tie is permissible and there is no evidence to prove that its origin relates to the cross in Christianity.

Long Answer: Before we start to discuss the Islamic viewpoint, let’s understand the origin of a necktie, “Most sartorialists agree that the necktie originated in the 17th century, during the thirty-year war in France. King Louis XIII hired Croatian mercenaries who wore a piece of cloth around their neck as part of their uniform… In fact, he liked it so much that he made these ties a mandatory accessory for Royal gatherings, and – to honor the Croatian soldiers – he gave this clothing piece the name “La Cravate” – the name for necktie in French to this day… The early cravats of the 17th century have little resemblance to today’s necktie, yet it was a style that stayed popular throughout Europe for over 200 years. The tie as we know it today did not emerge until the 1920s but since then has undergone many (often subtle) changes.” (http://www.tie-a-tie.net/the-evolution-of-the-necktie/) 

[As for Islam,] “the basic principle with regard to clothes is that they are permissible, except those which Islam has definitely excluded, such as gold and silk for men…  Wearing [necktie] is not something that is unique to the kuffaar… so they are permissible, unless the wearer intends to imitate them…” (Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas: Shaykh ‘Abd al-Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq al-‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Ghadyaan, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Qa’ood)

[Nevertheless,] “a Muslim… should make sure that they are not made of natural silk and that they do not have crosses or pictures of animate creatures on them…” (Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)

Allahu A’lam (Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) knows best) and all Perfections belong to Allah, and all mistakes belong to me alone. May Allah (سبحانه و تعالى) forgive me, Ameen.

Wassalaam