Nasai

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.

Hadith Commentary:
➊
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))
➋
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.
➌
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.
➍
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.

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.

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.

Hadith Commentary: Benefits and Issues: From this hadith, it is understood that in daily habits, clothing, and appearance, one should not imitate the disbelievers; rather, one should oppose them. This applies when such things are their distinctive sign, symbol, or mark. If it is no longer a sign or symbol, then opposition is also not required. According to Imam Nawawi, Qadi Iyad has transmitted two positions of the noble Companions (radi Allahu anhum) in this regard: according to one group, not dyeing the hair is preferable; according to the other, dyeing white hair is preferable. Although there is a difference of opinion regarding dyeing, Imam Tabarani has written that both changing and not changing the color of white hair are established from authentic narrations. The command to change and alter is for those whose hair has become completely white like Abu Quhafa (radi Allahu anhu), and the prohibition is for those whose hair is mixed black and white. Here, by consensus, the command and prohibition are not for obligation; therefore, the pious predecessors among the Companions and Followers did not object to one another. Thus, there is no need here to consider the hadiths as abrogating or abrogated. According to Imam Nawawi, the correct view is that for both men and women, dyeing white hair with yellow color is better, and changing it to black is prohibited.

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.

For details, see ahadith: 5072 and 5077.

Commentary:
Benefits and Issues:

➊
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)

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

➌
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.

➍
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.

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]