(117) Chapter: The Excellence of Wearing White Clothes and the Permissibility of Wearing Red, Green, Yellow and Black Clothes Made from Cotton and Linen but not Silk

Abu Juhaifah Wahb bin 'Abdullah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) by Al-Abtah valley in Makkah, in a red tent made from tanned skin. Bilal brought him ablution water. Then Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out wearing a red mantle; and I can still remember looking at whiteness of his shanks. So he made his ablution, and Bilal (ﷺ) pronounced the call for prayer (Adhan). I kept following the movement of his (Bilal's) face to the right and to the left when he recited: 'Come to the prayer; come to the success.' Then a spear was fixed (as a Sutrah) in front of Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) who then stepped forward and led the prayer. Dogs and donkeys passed in front of him (beyond the spear) and no one prevented them from doing so.

[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Commentary: On the basis of this Hadith, some argue that red dress is also allowed to men. Imam An-Nawawi seems to hold the same view. However, many `Ulama' believe that the dress of Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was not all red but had red stripes. They, therefore, maintain that the red clothes which women wear are not permissible to men. Some `Ulama' think that a ruling on this issue will be on condition of space and time. If at some place
disbelievers or women are fond of this colour, it will be banned for Muslim men because of its relevance to disbelief and womanishness. Yet, it will be allowed to Muslim men in a contrary situation. Opinions also exist that the indoor wear of red clothes is permissible to men but forbidden in public. To sum up, the red-coloured dress is not itself a taboo with regard to men. A ruling on it will be conditional in accordance with the situation. For example, in the Eastern society the red-coloured dress is usually worn by women and is peculiar to brides on the occasion of wedding. Men are, therefore, banned to wear it. Allah Alone has the true knowledge.