Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … Explanation of the last sentence: What is meant by becoming old is the hair turning white. It is narrated from Fadalah bin Ubaid radi Allahu anhu that the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever’s hair turns white in the path of Allah (and in another narration: in Islam), it will be a light for him on the Day of Resurrection.” A man then said: “There are men who pluck out the white hairs.” He (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever wishes, let him pluck out his light.” That is, whoever becomes old in the path of Allah or in Islam, then this will be a light for him on the Day of Resurrection. On this occasion, a man said: Many people pluck out their white hairs. The Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said: Whoever wishes, let him pluck out his light. (Musnad Ahmad: 6/20, Sahihah: 3371) Shaving (the beard) is, in any case, an accursed act and a grave crime; nevertheless, when the hair turns white and age advances, the severity of this crime increases further. What greater felicity can there be than this: that in the whitening of the hair, the Muslim himself has no part or intention, but the person who considers them his beauty and is patient over them, then these will be a light for him on the Day of Resurrection. (Subhan Allah) The person who does not accept this honor bestowed by Allah Ta’ala and begins to pluck them out or starts to apply black dye to them, then he is denying that grace and light which Allah Ta’ala wishes to grant him without any demand. Remember that the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam has taught to dye white hair with henna and the like, and to avoid black dye; therefore, applying henna and the like will not affect this virtue in any way.