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Hadith 1139

1139 - حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ قَالَ: ثنا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ: ثنا الزُّهْرِيُّ، قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنِي سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ يَسَارٍ، وَأَبُو سَلَمَةَ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّي اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «إِنَّ الْيَهُودَ، وَالنَّصَارَي لَا يَصْبِغُونَ فَخَالِفُوهُمْ»
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates: The Noble Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "The Jews and Christians do not dye their hair, so you do the opposite of them."
Hadith Reference مسند الحميدي / 1139
Hadith Grading محدثین: إسناده صحيح
Hadith Takhrij «إسناده صحيح وأخرجه البخاري فى «صحيحه» برقم: 3462، 5899، ومسلم فى «صحيحه» برقم: 2103، وابن حبان فى «صحيحه» برقم: 5470، 5473، والنسائي فى «المجتبیٰ» برقم: 5084، 5085، 5086، 5087، 5256، والنسائي فى «الكبریٰ» برقم: 9286، 9287، 9288، 9289، 9290، وأبو داود فى «سننه» برقم: 4203، والترمذي فى «جامعه» برقم: 1752، وابن ماجه فى «سننه» برقم: 3621، والبيهقي فى«سننه الكبير» برقم: 14928، 14929، 14940، وأحمد فى «مسنده» برقم: 7394، 7658، 7661، وأبو يعلى فى «مسنده» برقم: 5957، 5977، 6001، 6003، 6021»
Explanation & Benefits
Shaykh Muhammad Ibrahim bin Basheer
Benefit:
In this hadith, the dyeing of white hair is mentioned, but dyeing white hair is not obligatory, because the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam would sometimes dye his hair, and sometimes he would not. (Fath al-Bari: 10/354)

The respected teacher Hafiz Abdul Mannan Noorpoori rahimahullah writes: In the ahadith, there is mention of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam dyeing his hair, and also of not dyeing it, from which it is understood that the command regarding dyeing the hair is to be understood as recommended (nadb). However, if all the hair becomes white, and not a single hair remains black, then the emphasis on dyeing increases further. (Ahkam wa Masail: 1/531)

It should be remembered that applying black dye to white hair is haram. [صحيح مسلم : 2102، 5509]
Source: Musnad al-Humaydi: Commentary by Muhammad Ibrahim bin Bashir, Page: 1139
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
In the hadith, the mention of the Jews and Christians is the reason for its relevance to the chapter. The dye referred to is henna, which is Sunnah to apply to the beard and head. From this hadith, it is also derived that it is necessary to adopt the Islamic way of life instead of the culture of the Jews and Christians, and blindly becoming their imitators and adopting their worst customs is a great disgrace. However, it is unfortunate that today most so-called Muslims have become enamored with this very culture. In those narrations where the prohibition of removing gray hair (izalat al-shayb) is mentioned, that prohibition pertains to black dye, which is forbidden.

It is stated in Sahih Muslim: The Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, “Change the white hair, but avoid black dye.”

Those who know that growing the beard is Sunnah because it is in opposition to the culture of the Jews, should also understand that dyeing with henna is just as necessary as growing the beard. However, most Muslims are such that they remember half of the matter and forget the other half.

In any case, Islamic culture is a complete and excellent culture. Today, those who abandon Islamic culture in favor of Westernization are afflicted with divine punishment in their appearance, form, clothing, etc. There are people who, even while wearing clothes, cannot eat or sit comfortably, yet they are infatuated with such clothing.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 3462
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:

This hadith mentions the opposition to the Jews and Christians, which is the relevance to the chapter heading. Also, by "khidab" is meant the application of henna. At that time, colored creams were not available in the market; today, all kinds of dyes are available in the market. Dyeing the hair black is prohibited, as narrated by Hazrat Jabir radi Allahu anhu that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“Color the hair, but avoid making it black.” (Sahih Muslim, Al-Libas wa al-Zinah, Hadith: 5509(2102))

From this hadith, it is also understood that instead of adopting the culture of the Jews and Christians, one should adopt Islamic culture and the Islamic way of life. However, it is unfortunate that in our society, most so-called Muslims are enamored with this Western culture.

Shaykh al-Islam Imam Ibn Taymiyyah rahimahullah wrote a separate book on this subject, "Iqtida al-Sirat al-Mustaqim fi Mukhalafat Ashab al-Jahim." Studying this is necessary for every Muslim. Its Urdu translation is also available in the market.

In some narrations, removing whiteness has been prohibited. By this is meant plucking out white hairs. The whiteness of the hair is not eliminated by henna or khidab; rather, it is covered. This is permitted in the Shariah.
And Allah knows best.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 3462
Maulana Dawood Raz
Hadith Commentary:
To dye the hair with red or yellow dye, or with henna (mehndi) and katam (wasm), which brings a blackish or reddish tint to the hair, is permissible; however, to use a completely black dye is prohibited.
It is said that the first to use black dye was Pharaoh.
Hasan (radi Allahu anhu) and the two Shaykhs (Abu Bakr and Umar, radi Allahu anhuma) used to dye their hair with henna (mehndi) and katam (wasm).
This hadith also shows that the nationhood of Islam—that is, its distinct identity—is an independent matter, which is included in the particular appearance, form, and dress of a Muslim.
The meaning of opposing the Jews and others is precisely this.
Source: Sahih Bukhari: Commentary by Maulana Dawood Raz, Page: 5899
Shaykh Abdul Sattar al-Hammad
Hadith Commentary:
(1)
Some scholars have argued, based on this hadith, that dyeing white hair is obligatory, even if it is done only once in a lifetime. However, the majority of scholars have interpreted this matter as recommended (mustahabb), meaning that dyeing is better, but keeping the hair white is also permissible. However, using black dye is not permissible under any circumstances. As is evident from the incident at the conquest of Makkah, when the noble father of Abu Bakr radi Allahu anhu, Abu Quhafah radi Allahu anhu, was brought, his head and beard hair were as white as the thuqam (a kind of herb). The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“Change it with some color, but avoid black.”
(Sahih Muslim, al-Libas wa’l-Zinah, Hadith: 5508 (2102))
In another hadith, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“In the last days, there will be people who will dye their hair black like the breasts of pigeons. They will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.”
(Sunan al-Nasa’i, al-Zinah, Hadith: 5078)
Based on these ahadith, dyeing the hair of the head or beard with black color is haram. The ruling is the same for both men and women. Dyeing with henna (henna) or katam is permissible, as the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said:
“The best thing with which these white hairs are dyed is henna and katam.”
(Jami‘ al-Tirmidhi, al-Libas, Hadith: 1753)
(2)
Katam is a particular mountain herb that is found abundantly in Yemen. Its leaves are used as dye. Its color is blackish. It can be mixed with henna and used as a dye. Nowadays, various types of “creams” are available in the market that are used as dye. In any case, any color except black can be applied to the hair. And Allah knows best.
Source: Hidayat al-Qari: Commentary on Sahih Bukhari, Urdu, Page: 5899
Shaykh Maulana Abdul Aziz Alvi
Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: (1)
From this hadith, it is understood that the incident of the solar eclipse mentioned here is separate from both incidents narrated by Jabir radi Allahu anhu, and here the content of the sermon is also different. However, it is not mentioned here what the manner of the Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) prayer was.

(2)
In this hadith, the wording is (مَا عِلْمُكَ بِهَذَا الرَّجُلِ؟) “What do you know about this man?” and in some narrations, the words (لِمُحَمَّدِ) “about Muhammad” appear, and in some ahadith it is stated as (الّذِي بُعِثَ فِيكُمْ؟) “the one who was sent among you?” For this, it is not necessary for the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) to be present there, because the question will be asked by mentioning the name and describing the characteristics. This is just like how Heraclius said to the caravan people: (اني سائل عن هذا الرجل) “I am going to ask about this man,” meaning he was going to ask Abu Sufyan about that person. And even if, for the sake of argument, it is accepted that the Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) form will be shown, even then it is not far-fetched. Today, this is demonstrated daily on television, so what difficulty is there for Allah in this? Therefore, there is no need for the interpretation that a likeness of the Prophet’s (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) form will be presented.

(3)
Only that person will be able to testify to the messengership and prophethood of the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) who had believed in him from the depths of his heart. And the one who merely testified by hearsay or by following others, without personally investigating and affirming with his heart, will not be able to answer.
Source: Tuhfat al-Muslim: Commentary on Sahih Muslim, Page: 2103
Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi
Benefits and Issues:
Some scholars, deducing from this, have said that it is obligatory (wajib) to dye white hair with henna and the like. However, other scholars have interpreted this matter as being recommended (mustahabb), meaning that dyeing is better, but leaving the hair white is also permissible.
Source: Sunan Abu Dawood – Commentary by Shaykh Umar Farooq Saeedi, Page: 4203
Hafiz Muhammad Ameen
For details, see ahadith: 5072 and 5077.
Source: Sunan Nasa'i: Translation and Benefits by Shaykh Hafiz Muhammad Amin Hafizullah, Page: 5243
Maulana Ataullah Sajid
Commentary:
Benefits and Issues:


Hafiz Salahuddin Yusuf rahimahullah writes regarding dyeing the hair:
“The scholars have interpreted this ruling as being recommended (mustahabb), so dyeing the white hair of the beard or head is not obligatory, only preferable. However, imitating the Jews and Christians is haram.
Where not dyeing would result in resemblance to them, then dyeing the hair becomes obligatory, otherwise it remains recommended.” (: Riyadh as-Salihin Hadith: 1638)


Nowadays, Christians use black dye extensively.
Therefore, it is better to use another color and to avoid pure black dye altogether.


The specific customs and festivals of non-Muslims (such as Christmas, Basant, New Year’s celebrations, and Valentine’s Day, etc.)
are related to their religion, so it is very necessary to avoid participating in them.


Shaving the beard is a custom of non-Muslims, which is also contrary to the way of the previous Prophets (alayhim as-salam),
therefore, it is haram.
Source: Commentary on Sunan Ibn Mājah by Mawlānā ‘Atā’ullāh Sājid, Page: 3621