48/64. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5242 — Change White Hair with Dye
The Command to Dye the Hair
Hadith About White Hair Dye: Change or Dye Grey Hair
Sunan an-Nasai : 5242
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5242
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا خَالِدٌ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ الْحَارِثِ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَزْرَةُ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ ثَابِتٍ - عَنْ أَبِي الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ جَابِرٍ، قَالَ أُتِيَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِأَبِي قُحَافَةَ وَرَأْسُهُ وَلِحْيَتُهُ كَأَنَّهُ ثَغَامَةٌ فَقَالَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم " غَيِّرُوا أَوِ اخْضِبُوا " .
It was narrated that Jabir said: "Abu Quhafah was brought to the Messenger of Allah [SAW] and his head and beard were white like the Thaghamah. The Prophet [SAW] said: 'Change this, or dye it.'"
[1] A white fruit from a type of plant.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5242In-book reference : Book 48, Hadith 203English translation : Vol. 6, Book 48, Hadith 5244
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5242
This hadith about white hair dye describes Abu Quhafah being brought to the Messenger of Allah [SAW] while his head and beard were very white. The narration compares the whiteness to Thaghamah, showing how clear and strong the white color was. The Prophet [SAW] then said, "Change this, or dye it." The core topic is hair dye, especially changing very white hair and beard. The hadith does not add details about every permitted color, so the safe explanation is to focus on the clear wording. It teaches that the Prophet [SAW] guided people in personal appearance, and that hair and beard care can be part of following Prophetic instruction.
What we learn from this hadith
- The Prophet [SAW] gave guidance about changing very white hair and beard.
- Personal appearance was addressed in the Sunnah in a direct way.
- The wording supports dyeing or changing the white appearance mentioned in the report.
- The hadith should be understood according to its exact wording without adding extra details.
