Mishkat al-Masabih

Hudhaifa told that God’s messenger forbade them to eat or drink from a vessel of silver or gold, or to wear or sit upon silk and brocade. (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Ali told that God’s messenger was presented with a striped robe containing silk and sent it to him, but when ‘Ali wore it he saw he was looking angry. He then said, “I did not send it to you to wear, but only to cut it up into veils for the women." (Bukhari and Muslim.)

‘Umar said the Prophet forbade wearing silk except to this extent, which was indicated by God's messenger raising his middle and forefinger and joining them. (Bukhari and Muslim.) A version by Muslim tells that in an address given by him at al-Jabiya (a town to the east of the Sea of Galilee, north of the Yarmuk battlefield. ‘Umar went there before the fall of Jerusalem.) he said God’s messenger forbade wearing silk except to the extent of two, three, or four fingers.

This was God’s messenger’s mantle which was with ‘A’isha, which I inherited when she died. The Prophet used to wear it, and we washed it for the sick and sought a cure by means of it. (The water in which it was washed would be given to the sick to drink, or the garment itself was placed on them, or given to them to touch or kiss, and so receive a blessing) Muslim transmitted it.

Anas told that God’s messenger gave licence to az-Zubair and ‘Abd ar-Rahman b. ‘Auf to wear silk because of an itch which they had. (Bukhari and Muslim.) In a version by Muslim he said they complained of bugs and he gave them licence to wear silk shirts.

‘Abdallah b. ‘Amr b. al-‘As told that when God's messenger saw him wearing two garments dyed with saffron he said, “These are the garments worn by infidels ; do not wear them.” A version says that when he suggested washing them he replied, “No, burn them.” Muslim transmitted it.

Umm Salama said the clothing God’s messenger liked best was a shirt. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Asma’ daughter of Yazid said the sleeve of God’s messenger’s shirt came to the wrist. Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

Abu Huraira said that when God’s messenger put on a shirt he began with the right side. Tirmidhi transmitted it.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudrl told that he heard God’s messenger say, "The way for a believer to wear a lower garment is to have it halfway down his legs, and he is guilty of no sin if it comes halfway between that and the ankles, but what comes lower than that is in hell (saying that three times). On the day of resurrection God will not look at him who trails his lower garment conceitedly." Abu Dawud and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Salim quoted his father to the effect that the Prophet said, "If anyone trails arrogantly anything allowed to hang down in a lower garment, a shirt and a turban, God will not look at him on the day of resurrection." Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Abu Kabsha said the headgear worn by God's messenger's Companions was flat. (It is not clear whether the reference here is to headgear which was low and wide, or to wide sleeves. The former seems to be preferred. Cf. Mirqat, iv, 424.) Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a tradition which is rejected.

When God’s messenger mentioned the lower garment Umm Salama asked what a woman should do and he said she should let it down a span. She replied that in that case she would not be completely covered, and he said she might let it down a cubit, but no more. Malik, Abu Dawud, Nasa’i and Ibn Majah transmitted it. In the version of Tirmidhi and Nasa’i on the authority of Ibn ‘Umar she said their feet would then be uncovered, and he replied that they should let it down a cubit, but no more.

I came to the Prophet with a company of Muzaina who swore allegiance to him, and as his buttons were open I put my hand inside his shirt and felt the seal. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Samura reported the Prophet as saying, "Wear white clothes, for they are purer and better ; and shroud your dead in them." Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i and Ibn Majah transmitted it.

Ibn ‘Umar told that when God’s messenger put on a turban he let the end hang between his shoulders. Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a hasan gharib tradition.

‘Abd ar-Rahman b. ‘Auf told that God’s messenger put a turban on him and let the ends hang in front of him and behind him. Abu Dawud transmitted it.

Rukana reported the Prophet as saying, “The difference between us and the polytheists is that we wear turbans over caps.” Tirmidhi transmitted it, saying this is a gharib tradition whose isnad is not reliable.

Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari reported the Prophet as saying, “Gold and silk are permitted to the females among my people but prohibited to the males.” Tirmidhi and Nasa’i transmitted it, Tirmidhi saying this is a hasan sahih tradition.

Abu Sa'id al-Khudri told that when God's messenger put on a new garment he mentioned it by name, turban, shirt, or cloak, and would then say, “O God, praise be to Thee ! As Thou hast clothed me with it, I ask Thee for its good and the good of that for which it was made, and I seek refuge in Thee from its evil and the evil of that for which it was made.” Tirmidhi and Abu Dawud transmitted it.