Hadith 1724

Commentary

Scholars have divergent views regarding wearing red, namely it is (i) lawful, (ii) unlawful, (iii) dark red is unlawful, light red is lawful, (iv) wearing for ornamentation or ostentation is prohibited, wearing inside one's house and for sundry jobs is permitted, (v) dyeing red after manufacturing is not lawful, woven with red thread is lawful, (vi) dyed red with safflower is prohibited, dyed red with some other substance is permitted, (vii) striped red (with white or black threads) is permitted, pure red is prohibited (Tuhfat Al-Ahwadhi, v.3, p.43). The correct position in this regard seems to be that shining red garment as generally put on by the brides in the Indian subcontinent is not appropriate for men. Similarly cloth dyed red with safflower is also not allowed for men. There is, however, no harm in wearing a garment which is light red (instead of shining red) or has red straps woven into black or white threads. However, if red color becomes the hallmark of a non-Muslim community or people, then it will be unlawful for the faithful on grounds of similarity with those people (See Tuhfat Al-Ahwadhi, v.3, p.42 for details).