Hadith Thirteen
Anas ibn Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that ʿAbd al-Rahman ibn ʿAwf and al-Zubayr ibn al-ʿAwwam complained to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ during one of their campaigns about lice, so he gave them permission to wear a silk shirt, and I saw them wearing it.
Lessons Derived from the Hadith
- From the wording “he gave them permission” we learn the prior ruling that silk is forbidden for males.
- It is permissible to wear silk when there is a need, such as treating itchiness or lice. The same applies when silk is worn to overawe the unbelievers and display dignity, pride, and strength before them—for that weakens their resolve. In such cases the general prohibition mentioned in the previous hadiths is lifted.
Hadith Fourteen
ʿUmar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The property of Banu al-Nadir was among the spoils that Allah granted to His Messenger ﷺ for which the Muslims had not stirred horse or camel, and it belonged exclusively to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He would set aside a year’s provision for his family, and whatever remained he would spend on horses and weapons as equipment in the cause of Allah.
Unfamiliar Terms
Banu al-Nadir: One of the Jewish clans that lived near Madinah. The Prophet ﷺ concluded a pact with them after his arrival, stipulating that they would not fight him nor aid anyone against him. True to their habit, they broke the covenant, so he besieged them until they agreed to depart, taking only what their camels could carry apart from weapons.
That which Allah granted: fayʾ—wealth taken from unbelievers without actual fighting; it is so called because it “returns” for the benefit of the Muslims.
Had not stirred: ijāf—driving one’s mount at speed.
Rikāb: riding camels.
Kurāʿ: horses. Ibn Fāris said, “The Arabs sometimes name the whole by one of its parts; hence they call horses kurāʿ (‘shanks’).”
Overall Meaning
When the Prophet ﷺ arrived in Madinah as an emigrant, he found several Jewish groups living around the city. He entered into treaties with them, agreeing that they could remain upon their religion and that they would neither fight him nor assist any enemy against him. Later, a man from the Companions, named