Zoheir Ali Esmail's response to What are the origins of the culture of black 'amama (turban) for sayyeds and white for non-sayyeds? Since when has this been in practice?

What are the origins of the culture of black 'amama (turban) for sayyeds and white for non-sayyeds? Since when has this been in practice?

Zoheir Ali Esmail, Shaykh Zoheir Ali Esmail has a Bsc in Accounting and Finance from the LSE in London, and an MA in Islamic Studies from Middlesex University. He studied Arabic at Damascus University and holds a PhD... Answered 4 years ago

Bismillāh al-Raḥmān al-Raḥīm

Thank you for your question. The distinction between Sayyids and non-Sayyids according to the colour amamah they are to wear was instigated by Sharif al-Raḍī (d 406 AH/ 1015 CE) and has been in practice ever since.