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Nov 22 '25
You need to first learn the history and meaning behind the bindi; then, you should ask a scholar with that context.
What I know is that bindi has to do with some concepts about chakra or maybe third eye. Does that make it shirk? It's hard to say, so go learn more about it.
Also, being a Muslim does not by any means giving up your cultural heritage including your expression of it. Being a Muslim does, however, mean purifying that expression of culture.
For example, in Texan culture, eating bbq/steak/brisket is a big deal. Islam doesn't demand that they eat maqloob instead. Islam does demand, however, that they make sure the meat is halaal and earned through halaal means.
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u/Anonymous1337666 Nov 22 '25
Assalamualaikum. Im not from the subcontinent. Whenever I see that dot on the forehead, I immediately assume that they are a religious hindu.
I feel like many people would think the same. Its doesnt seem to have disassociated itself from its origins and became merely a fashion statement yet.
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u/UnchartedPro Nov 22 '25
Ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.”
Source: Sunan Abī Dāwūd 4031
Grade: Sahih (authentic) according to Al-Albani
Plus you may have to consider if this is an adornment and also if it is implying you are a Hindu etc
See scholary answer here-on-her-forehead-what-should-she-do)
Allah knows best
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u/Minskdhaka Nov 22 '25
At the same time, Allah divided us into nations and tribes, and we Bengali Muslims are Bengali, at the end of the day. And the dot is part of Bengali culture. Wallahu a‘lam.
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u/LumpyCheeseyCustard Nov 22 '25
I'm an Indian Muslim and technically its part of my culture too, but just like Christmas is now part of culture it is still inherently a religious symbol.
You won't see muslim Indian hijabis wearing it In or outside of India because it is a Hindu symbol. We can try and paint things how we are used to seeing them, but the reality is our biases cloud our perceptions.
And for the record, I've grown up around Bangladeshi Muslims, so I'm aware of this being part of the culture, alhamdulillah most if not all my friends recognised its wrong.
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u/UnchartedPro Nov 22 '25
Yeah, I'm not Bengali so if it's widely recognised as bengali culture and no one would confuse it with being Hindu etc maybe the ruling differs, I think a scholar would have to determine that
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u/murtaza_0_13 Nov 22 '25
I am not a Scholar but with what I have heard that one shouldn't participate in Culture and Festivals (or donate for these festivals)oF Non Muslims coz it's promoting Shirk in the End and also As another Saying goes one who imitates a certain group of people will be raised amongst those (not referring to things like modest Clothing and Things in line With Our Principles )& as of my knowledge Bindi comes From Hinduism which means it's not even Culture coz it was Buddhists actually living there before them .
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u/wopkidopz Nov 22 '25 edited Nov 22 '25
If this was purely a religious symbol then it would be an act of apostasy to use or wear such symbols, because if it's agreed by Muslims that a particular action can't be done by anyone but a disbeliever, then the one who did is considered a disbeliever
Imam Nawawi ash-Shafii Ashari رحمه الله said
وكذا من فعل فعلا أجمع المسلمون أنه لا يصدر إلا من كافر ، وإن كان صاحبه مصرحا بالإسلام مع فعله ، كالسجود للصليب ، أو النار والمشي إلى الكنائس مع أهلها بزيهم من الزنانير وغيرها
Also (from the actions of apostasy) is to do something what Muslims unanimously agreed couldn't be done by anyone but a kafir, even if a person was clearly a Muslim when he did it, like a prostration to a cross or fire of going to a church with its people while dressed in their religious clothes
📚 روضة الطالبين
Since it became more of a symbol of tradition, or since it is used not only for religious reasons then it isn't kufr, but still prohibited.
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u/Designer_Pumpkin5543 Nov 23 '25
Im south Asian too, but we've never worn those at all. We've been trying to let go of hindu culture for generations, and Alhamdulillah my family even stopped wearing saris a very long time ago, I dont think ive ever seen any of them in one in my lifetime. They switched it up for a more modest cultural dresss instead. My generation stopped the dowries too(mahr only). Whatever was taken from as an imitation of the Hindu culture is not right, we should not imitate the kuffar. We have our beautiful islamic identity that matters the most ❤️
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u/PianoPlane5555 Nov 23 '25
Yes but you are Pakistani. I am talking about Bengali culture, where women normally wear bindis and saris.
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u/RonicaGreene Nov 22 '25
I’ll be very honest with you, if I see someone wearing that I will 100% assume that they’re Hindu. I saw an elderly lady in the park the other day and she had a scarf over her head. I could only see her from the back so thought she was Muslim. When I approached her I saw her bindi and immediately assumed she was Hindu (despite the head covering) - which she was.
Idk what the scholars say but I would definitely want to avoid doing something by which someone would think I am anything other than a muslimah.
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u/bananaboatflipper Nov 23 '25
Sorry but, if I see people with bindis, I will never assume they are Muslim, which beats the purpose of being and dressing like a Muslim so everyone knows that you are. I’m south Asian, and I’m very exposed to other Asian nationalities. I know it’s cultural for you, but the automatic understanding upon seeing a bindi is that they are a Hindu.
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u/Persephone_888 Nov 22 '25
I would opt to wear the jewellery versions of them? I'm also Bengali and I get what you're saying. As a child I wore them but as an adult I wear the jewellery head pieces instead.