Ibn Majah

Benefits and Issues:

➊ Cloth dyed with safflower (usfur) is permissible for women.

➋ It is prohibited for men to wear such clothing that is considered women's attire.

➌ When a gentle admonition is sufficient for someone to accept the advice, there is no need to admonish in a harsh manner.

➍ The reverence and love for the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) in the hearts of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) was such that they would act with full readiness even upon a hint from him.

➎ If someone misunderstands the words of a scholar, the scholar should clarify and explain the correct meaning of what was said.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues:
From this hadith, it is understood that it is permissible for women to dye their clothes with yellow saffron color, as the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Your mother has ordered you to wear it." However, it is not permissible for men, which is why the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam), strictly prohibiting it, ordered that they be burned. But according to Imam Nawawi, the majority of the Companions (radi Allahu anhum) and the Followers (tabi‘in) have considered it permissible. From this, it is understood that if the yellow color is deep and bright, such that it causes resemblance to women, then it is not permissible. If it is a light yellow color, then it is permissible, because from some narrations, it is understood that wearing yellow-colored clothing is permissible. In that case, it is not permissible when it causes resemblance to disbelievers, or when it has been dyed afterwards.

Hadith Footnote: Vocabulary of the Hadith:
‘Usfur:
A reddish-yellow plant,
with which the Arabs used to dye clothes.

Benefits and Issues:
The color of saffron and safflower is part of women's adornment; therefore, it is not permissible for men.

Commentary:
By "mu‘asfar" is meant that cloth which has been dyed with ‘usfur (dyer's safflower). This is a yellowish-red color which appears somewhat strange to look at. It is contrary to masculinity in men and is not dignified; therefore, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade it. It is mentioned that Ibn ‘Umar radi Allahu anhuma wore clothing of this color. It is possible that he was unaware of the prohibition.

“In the fire”—and Abdullah ibn Amr radi Allahu anhu actually burned them in a furnace. Radi Allahu anhu wa ardah. Although it is possible that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said this out of anger and did not intend it literally, because such cloth can be used by women, therefore it could have been given to the women of the household. Perhaps its design was such that it could not be used by women. Otherwise, it is not permissible to waste wealth, just as you sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said regarding the gold ring that my intention was not to destroy it. See: (Hadith: 5292) But in both incidents, the Companion’s intention was good, and the apparent words of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam gave the impression of destruction, so their action is a cause of reward and virtue, as they did not care for their financial loss in view of the displeasure of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam.