Is it permitted to wear Arabic calligraphy scarves?

Question:

Is it permitted to wear Arabic calligraphy scarves, cloaks or bags? There is no Arabic words just letters put together to make a design?

Answer:

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh.

In principle, having designs of such nature on one’s clothing and bag is permissible.[1]

However, one should keep in mind that anything that stands out or draws attention must be avoided.

The Qur’ān says:

ولا تبرجن تبرج الجاهلية الأولى

“And (O women), do not make a display like the display of the earlier Jāhiliyyah.” (33:33)

The “display” in this verse has been explained variously by the early scholars, as purposely walking before men, walking with a particular luring gait, not tying the khimār properly so the neck is revealed[2], wearing a garment with pearls, wearing thin and revealing clothing[3], and other meanings which all point to the basic principle of not drawing attention to oneself.

And Allah Ta‘ālā Knows Best

Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.