We saw over the last couple of weeks that Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was very simple in his approach to clothes. He wore whatever was available and disliked what was showy or made of silk. The numerous Hadiths we have about the way he dressed suggest that he did not mind rough or thick material. He preferred these to fine, printed material that could be distracting in prayer.
Aishah reports: “The Prophet was once wearing two thick and rough garments. I said to him: ‘Messenger of God! These two garments of yours are rough and thick. If you were to perspire, they would become heavy for you.’” (Related by Abu Al-Sheikh.)
Aishah’s statement is that of a caring wife alerting her husband to a problem with his clothes. Wearing rough clothes, however, was something that the Prophet often did. Anas ibn Malik reports: “I used to walk with God’s messenger when he wore a top garment made in Najran of rough material.” (Related by Abdullah Abu Al-Sheikh.)
However, the Prophet used to wear finer clothes on special occasions, such as receiving delegations from other nations, and on Eid days. This is clear in the following Hadiths: Urwah ibn Al-Zubayr reports: “The Prophet’s top garment measured four arm-lengths and two and a half in width. He used to have a green top garment which he would wear when delegations arrived and he wished to receive them.” (Related by Abu Al-Sheikh.) A similarly related Hadith mentions that the Prophet received delegations in two green garments, which measured four arm-lengths by two and a half and a little extra. It remains today with caliphs. It has been worn out but they put over it a new garment which they wear on the two days of the Eid.”
That the Prophet had better quality robes for special occasions is confirmed in a number of Hadiths. Ibn Abbas reports: “The Prophet used to wear a fine striped robe on Eid occasions.” Another of the Prophet’s companions, Jabir ibn Abdullah, adds some minor details: “The Prophet used to have a fine, red robe which he wore on Eid days and for Friday prayers.”
The Prophet might be sent gifts by rulers and heads of state. Negus, the king of Abyssinia wrote to the Prophet in reply to his message concerning marrying Umm Habeebah bint Abu Sufyan: “I have performed your marriage to a woman of your own people, following your religion, Umm Habeebah bint Abu Sufyan. I am sending you a complete gift: A shirt, pants, a top robe and a pair of shoes.” When the Prophet received them, he wore the shoes and then wiped over them when he needed to perform a fresh ablution. Perhaps we should mention here that Umm Habeebah immigrated to Abyssinia in the early years of Islam, when the situation for Muslims was problematic in Makkah. She traveled with her husband Ubaydellah ibn Jahsh, but he converted to Christianity when in Abyssinia, and later died there. Left alone, and knowing that her father led the fight against the Prophet and against Islam, she was in a difficult spot. The Prophet sent to Negus to arrange his marriage to her. Negus did so, paying her dowry himself on behalf of the Prophet.
Sometimes the Prophet did certain things to indicate that they are permissible. He might not have preferred to do them, but he recognized his role as a teacher who should make clear to his followers what was permissible and what was forbidden. Abdullah ibn Jaafar reports: “I saw God’s messenger wearing two garments dyed with saffron: A top garment and a turban.” Scholars mention that the Prophet did this either because at the time he did not have any other garments or robes to wear, or to indicate that it is acceptable from the Islamic point of view that a man should wear such clothes, dyed with saffron. They point out that this is not to be encouraged, although done by the Prophet on this occasion, and they prefer the argument that he wore to indicate permissibility. Otherwise, the Prophet preferred simple clothing, even when they were rough. Even toward the end of his life, when all Arabia was under his rule and other states held him in awe, the Prophet’s clothes were simple. Abu Burdah reports: “I went to Aishah with others, and she showed us a thick lower garment of the type made in Yemen and an upper garment of the thick, heavy type. She said: ‘The Prophet was wearing these when he passed away.’ (Related by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawood.)
Aishah should know, as the Prophet was nursed in her home until he passed away, and he was buried there according to the rule that applied to prophets, stating that every prophet is buried at the place of his death.
The Prophet did not mind what sort of material went into the making of his clothes, as long as it was not silk, because silk is forbidden for men. However, he did not like bad smelling clothes. Although Arabia is known for its hot climate, he sometimes wore clothes made of wool. Aishah reports: “The Prophet wore a black top robe and I said to him: ‘It looks fine on you as your whiteness contrasts with its black color.’” Another report mentions that this robe was made by Aishah herself. She says: “I made for the Prophet a fine, black top robe. When he wore it, he liked it. However, when he sweated and the wool smelled, he discarded it.” Indeed, this was a mark of the simple life he preferred, which was recognized by his companions. Abu Burdah says: “God’s messenger used to wear woolen material, ride a donkey, tie a sheep and accept the invitation by the weak and poor.” This was a mark of his humility, showing him doing menial tasks and behaving like other people, without distinction.
When the Prophet had something and anyone of his companions showed interest in it, he would give it to him as a gift, even when he wanted it for himself. Sahl ibn Saad reports: “Once a topcoat of wool was made for the Prophet and he liked it better than anything he had worn. He felt its material and said: ‘Look how fine it is!’ There was a Bedouin sitting with the people, and he said: ‘Messenger of God! Gift it to me.’ The Prophet took it off and gave it to the man. He then ordered that a similar one should be woven for him, but he died before it was completed.” While this Hadith shows us how the Prophet admired even something that any of us today would find most ordinary, it also speaks of the Prophet’s generosity. He did not hesitate to gift the man a coat that he liked much, simply because the man wanted it.
