Wearing Ties at Work
Question:
I just had a quick question for you and I hope that you can shine some light on the situation. It is regarding a tie. Currently at work they are now requiring for me to dress up smart and indicating the clothing in a suit and shirt etc.
I was wondering what is the ruling regarding the tie. I am fully aware that the silk ties are not permissible, but how about normal ones?
Answer:
It is normally believed that the origins of ties is the Christian cross and thus it is totally unlawful (haram) to wear them.
However, one of the great contemporary Jurists, my respected teacher, Shaykh Mufti Taqi Usmani (Allah preserve him) researched the origins of ties by looking into the various books compiled on the history of each clothing, but was not able to find that it originates from the cross.
It is also not considered imitation of the non-believers because it is not something that is a unique characteristic of their faith, unless one wears a tie because one WANTS to be like the disbelivers.
Therefore, it would be permissible to wear ties, though better not to whenever reasonably possible. One should avoid wearing it in prayer and other times and should only confine it to work, as some scholars have declared it to be impermissible.
And Allah Knows Best
[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK