37/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2068g — Silk Benefit, Not Wearing
The Prohibition Of Using Vessels Of Gold And Silver For Men And Women, And Gold Rings And Silk For Men, But They Are Permissible For Women. Permissibility Of Silken Borders On Garments For Men, But It Should Not Be More Than Four Fingers Wide
Hadith on Silk: Sent to Benefit, Not to Wear
Sahih Muslim : 2068g
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2068g
وَحَدَّثَنِي ابْنُ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا رَوْحٌ، حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ حَفْصٍ، عَنْ سَالِمِ، بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ، رَأَى عَلَى رَجُلٍ مِنْ آلِ عُطَارِدٍ . بِمِثْلِ حَدِيثِ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ غَيْرَ أَنَّهُ قَالَ " إِنَّمَا بَعَثْتُ بِهَا إِلَيْكَ لِتَنْتَفِعَ بِهَا وَلَمْ أَبْعَثْ بِهَا إِلَيْكَ لِتَلْبَسَهَا " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
This hadith has been narrated on the authority of Ibn Umar through another chain of transmitters but with a slight variation of wording (and the words are that the Holy Prophet) said: I sent it to you so that you might derive benefit from it. but I did not send it to you to wear it.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2068gIn-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 22USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 24, Hadith 5147
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2068g
This narration repeats the event of Umar and the silk garment with a clear added wording: the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sent it so Umar might derive benefit from it, and he did not send it for Umar to wear. That sentence makes the meaning very direct. Anyone searching for the hadith about silk garments will see that the issue in the text is not owning the cloth by itself. The issue is wearing it after the warning was given. Umar’s question shows caution, and the Prophet’s answer sets the proper use of the gift. The narration teaches that a person should not assume every valuable item is for personal display. It may be used in another useful way.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith clearly separates benefit from wearing.
- Umar did not ignore the earlier warning; he asked about it.
- A valuable item should be used in a way that agrees with guidance.
- The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم corrected the purpose of the gift in simple words.
