The Gift of Silk (Ahadith 2280 – 2283)

Bismillah.

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 782:
Narrated ‘Abdullah bin Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Umar bin Al-Khattab (radiallaahu `anhu) saw a silken dress (cloak) being sold at the gate of the Mosque and said, “O Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam)! Would that you buy it and wear it on Fridays and when the delegates come to you!” Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “This is worn by the one who will have no share in the Hereafter.” Later on some silk dresses were brought and Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) sent one of them to ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu). ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) said, “How do you give me this to wear while you said what you said about the dress of ‘Utarid?” Allah’s Apostle (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “I have not given it to you to wear.” So, ‘Umar (radiallaahu `anhu) gave it to a pagan brother of his in Mecca.

This hadeeth indicates that it is permissible to deal in clothes that we are permitted to use in one way but not in another, and it is permissible to give them as gifts and donations, but the one to whom it is given or donated has to use it the manner which is permitted, not in the manner that is forbidden. For example:

Gold jewellery, weapons, knives, grapes, etc, which can be used in permissible ways or in haraam ways. It is permissible to deal in them and to give them as donations and gifts, so long as the one who buys them or is given them will use them in permissible ways, such as selling them, giving them, etc, and he will not make use of them in haraam ways.

But if the thing is something which it is haraam to use in any way and under any circumstances, then it is not permissible to deal in it or to give it as a gift, such as pigs, lions and wolves. There is nothing in the hadeeth to indicate that it is permissible to sell the things mentioned, so it is not correct to draw an analogy between selling cigarettes, tobacco, and men’s and women’s bathing suits, and selling things that may be used in some ways but not others or in some situations and not others, because it is haraam to use these things in all cases.

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 783:
Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallaahu `anhu):
Once the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) went to the house of Fatima (radiallaahu `anhaa) but did not enter it. ‘Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) came and she told him about that. When ‘Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) asked the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) about it, he said, “I saw a (multi-colored) decorated curtain on her door. I am not interested in worldly things.” ‘Ali (radiallaahu `anhu) went to Fatima (radiallaahu `anhaa) and told her about it. Fatima (radiallaahu `anhaa) said, “I am ready to dispense with it in the way he suggests.” The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) ordered her to send it to such-and-such needy people.”

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 784:
Narrated ‘Ali (radiallaahu `anhu):
The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) gave me a silken dress as a gift and I wore it. When I saw the signs of anger on his face, I cut it into pieces and distributed it among my wives.”

Volume 3, Book 47, Number 785:
Narrated Anas (radiallaahu `anhu):
A Jubba (i.e. cloak) made of thick silken cloth was presented to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam). The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) used to forbid people to wear silk. So, the people were pleased to see it. The Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) said, “By Him in Whose Hands Muhammad’s soul is, the handkerchiefs of Sad bin Mu’adh (radiallaahu `anhu) in Paradise are better than this.” Anas added, “The present was sent to the Prophet (sallallaahu `alayhi wasallam) by Ukaidir (a Christian) from Dauma.”

Other benefits from these narrations:

• Silk is prohibited for men – wearing it, sitting on it etc.
• Women may use silk for wearing, beddings etc.
• Silk makes a great gift – as long as you know it won’t be used for haraam, e.g. a man won’t wear it.
• Selling silk is allowed.
• Gifts can be accepted from non-Muslims as long as they’re not “haraam”.

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