The Book of Dress

Riyad as-Salihin · Chapter 122

The Prohibition of Wearing Silk for Men and its Permissibility for Women

باب تحريم لباس الحرير على الرجال وتحريم جلوسهم عليه واستنادهم إليه وجواز لبسه للنساء

This chapter gathers the Prophet's clear guidance that pure silk, like gold, is set aside from the men of his Ummah while permitted to women. Buruja stays in the spiritual lane here: the heart of the teaching is that a believing man trades a small, fleeting luxury in this life for something far better kept for him in the Hereafter.

Notice the recurring phrase about having no share in the Hereafter, a warning against treating worldly adornment as one's goal. The fine detail of what counts and the exceptions belong to the scholars of fiqh; what every reader can carry is the value of restraint and keeping the eyes fixed on the lasting reward.

Hadith 803

`Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

عن عمر بن الخطاب رضى الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏ "‏ لا تلبسوا الحرير؛ فإن من لبسه في الدنيا لم يلبسه في الآخرة‏" ‏ ‏.‏((متفق عليه))

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not wear silk (clothes). For whoever wears (them) in this life will be deprived of them in the Hereafter." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

He warned that a man who wears silk in this life will be deprived of it in the Hereafter. Trading a fleeting luxury now for something better kept for later.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 803 In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 26

Hadith 804

'Umar bin Al-Khattab (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعنه قال‏:‏ سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول‏:‏ ‏"‏إنما يلبس الحرير من لا خلاق له‏"‏.((متفق عليه)) ‏ وفى رواية للبخاري‏:‏ ‏"‏من لا خلاق له في الآخرة‏"‏‏

I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying, "Silk (clothes) are worn only by he who has no share in the Hereafter." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Another narration is: "Who has no share in the Hereafter."

In plain words

He said silk is worn by one who has no share in the Hereafter. A caution against making worldly adornment one's goal.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 804 In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 27

Hadith 805

Anas (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أنس رضى الله عنه قال‏:‏ قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم‏:‏ ‏ "‏من لبس الحرير في الدنيا لم يلبسه في الآخرة‏" ‏.((متفق عليه)) ‏

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "He who wears silk clothes in this life shall not wear them in the Hereafter." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

In plain words

Whoever wears silk in this life will not wear it in the Hereafter. The fleeting luxury is set against the lasting reward.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 805 In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 28

Hadith 806

'Ali (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن على رضى الله عنه قال‏:‏ رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أخذ حريراً، فجعله في يمينه، وذهباً فجعله في شماله، ثم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏إن هذين حرام على ذكور أمتي‏" ‏‏.‏((رواه أبو داود))

I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) holding a piece of gold in his left hand and a silk (cloth) in his right hand. Then he said, "These two are forbidden for the males of my Ummah." [Abu Dawud].

In plain words

Holding gold in one hand and silk in the other, he declared both forbidden for the men of his community. A clear, simple statement of the ruling.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 806 In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 29

Hadith 807

Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن أبى موسى الأشعرى رضى الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال‏:‏ ‏ "‏حرم لباس الحرير والذهب على ذكور أمتي ،وأحل لإناثهم‏" ‏.‏((رواه الترمذي))

The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The wearing of silk and gold has been made unlawful for males of my Ummah and lawful for the females." [At-Tirmidhi].

In plain words

Silk and gold were made unlawful for the men of his community and lawful for the women. A plain statement of how each applies.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 807 In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 30

Hadith 808

Hudhaifah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:

وعن حذيفة رضى الله عنه قال‏:‏ نهانا النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم أن نشرب في آنية الذهب والفضة، وأن نأكل فيها، وعن لبس الحرير والديباج،وأن نجلس عليه‏.‏‏‏((‏رواه البخارى‏)‏‏)‏‏

The Prophet (ﷺ) prohibited us from eating or drinking from gold or silver utensils and from wearing silk and brocade, or sitting on (anything made from) them. [Al-Bukhari].

In plain words

He forbade men eating or drinking from gold or silver, and wearing or sitting on silk and brocade. Restraint from luxuries tied to pride and show.

Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 808 In-book reference : Book 3, Hadith 31