The first is permissible by explicit textual evidence and scholarly consensus: for example, a person may mat his hair with something such as henna, honey, or glue, so that the hair lies flat.

The evidence for this is the report in al-Sahih from Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with him and his father: “I saw the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, enter into ihram with his hair matted.” (1) That is, he had applied something that matted his hair.

The second is to cover it with something not intended for covering or concealing it, such as carrying baggage and the like. There is nothing wrong with this, because concealment is not intended, nor is such a thing ordinarily used to cover the head.

The third is to cover it with something customarily worn on the head, such as a skullcap, headcloth, or turban. This is prohibited by explicit textual evidence, and there is scholarly consensus on it. (2)

The fourth is to cover it with something that is not regarded as clothing, but is in direct contact with the head and is intended as a covering. This is not permissible. The evidence is the Prophet’s saying, peace and blessings be upon him: “Do not cover his head.” (3)

The fifth is to shade one’s head with something accompanying him, such as an umbrella, a vehicle, a camel litter, and the like. This is an issue over which the scholars differ: some permit it—and this is the correct view—while others prohibit it, as mentioned previously.

The sixth is to take shade beneath something separate from him and not accompanying him, such as a tent, a cloth placed over a tree, the branches of a tree, or the like. This is permissible, and there is nothing wrong with it. It has been established that: “A tent was pitched for the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him