Source Attribution
This excerpt is taken from the book “Aḥkām o Masā’il in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah” by Shaykh Mubashir Aḥmad Rabbānī.
Imām al-Bukhārī رحمه الله has narrated a report from Umm Khālid رضي الله عنها. She said that garments were brought to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, among which was a small black cloak. The Prophet ﷺ said:
It is also mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself owned and wore a black cloak, which clearly indicates that wearing black clothing is permissible.
However, it should be remembered that on certain specific occasions, one should avoid wearing black if it leads to imitation (tashabbuh) of particular groups.
This excerpt is taken from the book “Aḥkām o Masā’il in the Light of the Qur’an and Sunnah” by Shaykh Mubashir Aḥmad Rabbānī.
Question
What is the ruling on wearing black clothes?Answer
From a Sharʿī (Islamic legal) perspective, there is no prohibition in wearing black clothing.Imām al-Bukhārī رحمه الله has narrated a report from Umm Khālid رضي الله عنها. She said that garments were brought to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, among which was a small black cloak. The Prophet ﷺ said:
The Companions رضي الله عنهم remained silent. The Prophet ﷺ then said:“What do you think, whom should we dress with this cloak?”
She was brought to him. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ took the cloak in his blessed hands, dressed her with it, and said:“Bring Umm Khālid bint Khālid to me.”
There were green or yellow markings on the cloak. The Prophet ﷺ then said:«أَبْلِي وَأَخْلِقِي»
“May you wear it until it becomes worn out.”
«يَا أُمَّ خَالِدٍ، هَذَا سَنَا»
“O Umm Khālid! This is beautiful.”
Reference: Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, Kitāb al-Libās, Bāb al-Khamīṣah al-Sawdā’: 5823
It is also mentioned in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself owned and wore a black cloak, which clearly indicates that wearing black clothing is permissible.
However, it should be remembered that on certain specific occasions, one should avoid wearing black if it leads to imitation (tashabbuh) of particular groups.
