The command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to dye the beard

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that Sayyiduna Umar bin al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) took Abu Quhafah (may Allah be pleased with him) by the hand and brought him to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him). When he stood before the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he (peace and blessings be upon him) said (on seeing his white hair): "Change it (this whiteness, i.e. apply dye), but do not bring it near black."

It is narrated from Zayd bin Aslam that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) congratulated Sayyiduna Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him) on his father's acceptance of Islam.

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir (may Allah be pleased with him) that on the day of the Conquest of Makkah, Abu Quhafah was brought to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), and the hair of his head and beard was completely white like "thaghamah" (a plant with white flowers). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Change his beard (by applying dye)."

It is narrated from Sayyiduna Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: It is as though I am looking at the beard of Abu Quhafah, which, because of its deep redness (from dye), looked like a blazing "arfaj" (a desert shrub). The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said to Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him): "Had you left the old man in his house, we would have gone to him ourselves (to honour him)." He (peace and blessings be upon him) said this to honour Abu Bakr al-Siddiq (may Allah be pleased with him).