37/2. Chapter:
Sahih Muslim 2071a — Silk Cloth for Women’s Head Covers
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 Cloth: From Men’s Wear to Women’s Head Covers
Sahih Muslim : 2071a
Sahih MuslimHadith Number 2071a
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ مَهْدِيٍّ - حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبِي عَوْنٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَبَا صَالِحٍ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ أُهْدِيَتْ لِرَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم حُلَّةُ سِيَرَاءَ فَبَعَثَ بِهَا إِلَىَّ فَلَبِسْتُهَا فَعَرَفْتُ الْغَضَبَ فِي وَجْهِهِ فَقَالَ " إِنِّي لَمْ أَبْعَثْ بِهَا إِلَيْكَ لِتَلْبَسَهَا إِنَّمَا بَعَثْتُ بِهَا إِلَيْكَ لِتُشَقِّقَهَا خُمُرًا بَيْنَ النِّسَاءِ " .
'Ali Narrated from:
A silk cloak was presented to Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). and he sent it to me and I wore it. but then found some sign of disapproval upon his face, whereupon he said: I did not send it to you that you wear it, but I sent it to you so that you might tear it and make out head dream for your women.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2071aIn-book reference : Book 37, Hadith 35USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 24, Hadith 5159
Summary of Sahih Muslim Hadith 2071a
In this narration, Ali says that a silk cloak was presented to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم sent it to Ali, and Ali wore it. Then Ali saw signs of disapproval on the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم face. The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم explained that he had not sent it for Ali to wear. Rather, he sent it so Ali could tear it and make head coverings for the women. This hadith about silk cloth is clear in its own wording. The problem was not that the cloth had no use at all. The problem was using it as Ali’s clothing. The corrected use was to divide it into head coverings for women, as stated in the report.
What we learn from this hadith
- Ali noticed the Prophet’s صلى الله عليه وسلم disapproval and received correction.
- The cloak was not sent for Ali to wear.
- The stated use was to tear it into women’s head coverings.
- A valuable cloth can be redirected to a proper use.
