Wearing expensive clothes | Fitrah Tawheed

Wearing expensive clothes in Islam

Is it allowed for a Muslim to wear expensive clothes, especially since Islam warns against extravagance and wasting money?

Islam does not discourage wearing nice clothes, even if they are expensive. A person may buy an expensive garment because he finds it beautiful. In such a case, it would be allowed to wear expensive clothes. However, when the intention is to regard oneself as superior, or to waste money, then this becomes forbidden in Islam.

So the ruling on wearing expensive clothes is based on the intention — why a person wants to wear them.

Wearing clothes made from expensive fabrics in itself is not haram, nor can anyone claim such a thing. Allah has not made such fabrics haram.

قُلْ مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِىٓ أَخْرَجَ لِعِبَادِهِۦ وَٱلطَّيِّبَـٰتِ مِنَ ٱلرِّزْقِ ۚ قُلْ هِىَ لِلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ فِى ٱلْحَيَوٰةِ ٱلدُّنْيَا خَالِصَةًۭ يَوْمَ ٱلْقِيَـٰمَةِ ۗ كَذَٰلِكَ نُفَصِّلُ ٱلْـَٔايَـٰتِ لِقَوْمٍۢ يَعْلَمُونَ ٣٢ Ask, ˹O Prophet,˺ “Who has forbidden the adornments and lawful provisions Allah has brought forth for His servants?” Say, “They are for the enjoyment of the believers in this worldly life, but they will be exclusively theirs on the Day of Judgment. This is how We make Our revelations clear for people of knowledge.”
[7:32 Quran]

Another evidence that wearing expensive fabrics is not haram is that Allah loves it when His servant shows the effects of the blessings he has been given.

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا يزيد بن هارون قال حدثنا همام عن قتادة عن عمرو ابن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (كلوا واشربوا وتصدقوا، والبسوا ما لم يخالطه إسراف ولا مخيلة).
[شُعَب الإيمان - الجزء ٨ - الصفحة ٢٦٢]

Abu Raja’ al-‘Ataridi narrated: ‘Imran ibn Husayn came out to us wearing a cloak made of khaz (linen/silk blend). So we said: "O Companion of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), you wear this?" He replied: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Indeed, Allah loves that when He bestows a blessing upon His servant, He sees the effect of His blessing on him.’” [Shu'ab al-Iman - Volume 8 - Page 262]

Besides these, there are many other evidences that wearing expensive clothing is allowed in Islam, and that it is not regarded as arrogance or extravagance if the intention is right.

The Sahaba, Tabi'een, and scholars after them wore expensive clothes, often made from fine linen or khazz (linen/silk blend).

The Prophet (ﷺ) about expensive clothes

The Prophet (ﷺ) wore different types of clothing, ranging from garments with fur, wool, cotton, linen, etc.

He did not prevent anyone from dressing nicely, which means you can wear fine fabrics, as long as it is not pure silk (for men).

He wore fine clothes, patched clothes, and simple clothes. He did not stick to one type of clothing and wore different fabrics. Worn-out clothes were not seen as disgraceful, nor were expensive clothes seen as a sign of arrogance.

He wore a Persian garment that was bordered with brocade, which had been given to him as a gift.

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ ، عَنْ يَحْيَى ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ الْعَرْزَمِيِّ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ مَوْلَى أَسْمَاءَ ، قَالَ : " أَخْرَجَتْ إِلَيَّ أَسْمَاءُ جُبَّةً مِنْ طَيَالِسَةٍ عَلَيْهَا لَبِنَةُ شِبْرٍ مِنْ دِيبَاجٍ ، وَإِنَّ فَرْجَيْهَا مَكْفُوفَانِ بِهِ ، فَقَالَتْ : هَذِهِ جُبَّةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ ، كَانَ يَلْبَسُهَا لِلْوُفُودِ ، وَيَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ.

ʿAbd Allah, the freedman of Asmā’, narrated to us, saying: “Asmā’ brought out to me a jubba (mantle) made of ṭayālisah cloth, with a square patch of brocade (dībāj) a hand-span in size sewn on it, and its two slits (openings) were also trimmed with brocade. She said: ‘This is the jubba of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ. He used to wear it for receiving delegations and on Fridays.’” [Al-Adab Al-Mufrad 348b]

فَقَالَتْ هَذِهِ جُبَّةُ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏.‏ فَأَخْرَجَتْ إِلَىَّ جُبَّةَ طَيَالَسَةٍ كِسْرَوَانِيَّةً لَهَا لِبْنَةُ دِيبَاجٍ وَفَرْجَيْهَا مَكْفُوفَيْنِ بِالدِّيبَاجِ فَقَالَتْ هَذِهِ كَانَتْ عِنْدَ عَائِشَةَ حَتَّى قُبِضَتْ فَلَمَّا قُبِضَتْ قَبَضْتُهَا وَكَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَلْبَسُهَا

ʿAbd Allah, who was the freed slave of Asmā’, reported: Asmā’ brought out to me a mantle of the Prophet, made of Persian cloth with a silk lining, and the slits (openings) at the front were trimmed with silk. She said: “This was with ʿĀʾishah until she passed away. When she died, I took possession of it. The Prophet (ﷺ) used to wear it.” [Sahih Muslim 2069a]

Though the Prophet (ﷺ) typically wore simple clothing with some patches, he did not refrain from wearing nice clothes on occasions such as Eid, Jumuʿah, or when attending special invitations from his companions.

It was the context in which these clothes were worn that made them permissible or impermissible. Even worn-out clothes can become a form of showing arrogance when worn with the intention of looking down on others who wear expensive clothes.

وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، وَإِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ دِينَارٍ، جَمِيعًا عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ حَمَّادٍ، - قَالَ ابْنُ الْمُثَنَّى حَدَّثَنِي يَحْيَى بْنُ حَمَّادٍ، - أَخْبَرَنَا شُعْبَةُ، عَنْ أَبَانَ بْنِ تَغْلِبَ، عَنْ فُضَيْلٍ الْفُقَيْمِيِّ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ النَّخَعِيِّ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ لاَ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ كِبْرٍ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ قَالَ رَجُلٌ إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَكُونَ ثَوْبُهُ حَسَنًا وَنَعْلُهُ حَسَنَةً ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏"‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَمِيلٌ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ الْكِبْرُ بَطَرُ الْحَقِّ وَغَمْطُ النَّاسِ ‏"‏ ‏.‏ The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "He who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of pride shall not enter Paradise." A man asked: "What if someone likes to have fine clothes and fine shoes?" The Prophet replied: "Indeed, Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty. Pride is rejecting the truth and looking down on people." [Sahih Muslim 91a]

This narration shows that it is permissible to wear nice clothes, and that this would not be considered arrogance. Arrogance only occurs when a person wears such clothing and looks down on others who do not.

أخبرنا أبو علي الحسين بن محمد الروذباري ، أخبرنا إسماعيل بن محمد الصفار ، [ ص: 265 ] حدثنا أحمد بن منصور ، حدثنا جعفر بن عون بن جعفر بن عمرو بن حريث ، أخبرنا هشام بن سعد ، عن قيس بن بشر الثعلبي:
فأخبرني أبي قال : دخلت على معاوية وهو على السرير وإلى جنبه شيخ جمته إلى فوق أذنيه وثيابه إلى أنصاف ساقيه فقلت : من هذا ؟ قالوا : هذا خريم قال : ثم مر بنا يوما آخر فقال له أبو الدرداء : كلمة تنفعنا ولا تضرك قال : قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : " إنكم قادمون على إخوانكم فأصلحوا نعالكم - أو قال - رحالكم ، وأحسنوا لباسكم ، حتى تكونوا كأنكم شامة في الناس ، فإن الله عز وجل لا يحب الفحش ولا التفحش " .

Khuraym narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said: "You are going to meet your brothers, so mend your sandals — or he said: your mounts — and beautify your clothing, so that you appear as a distinguished mark among the people. For Allah does not love indecency or vulgar behavior." [Shu'ab al-Iman - Volume 8 - Page 265]

This narration shows that beautifying oneself is highly encouraged, as it reflects decency and honor, especially when visiting others upon invitation.

حَدَّثَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنِ الْبَرَاءِ، قَالَ مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْ ذِي لِمَّةٍ فِي حُلَّةٍ حَمْرَاءَ أَحْسَنَ مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لَهُ شَعْرٌ يَضْرِبُ مَنْكِبَيْهِ بَعِيدُ مَا بَيْنَ الْمَنْكِبَيْنِ لَمْ يَكُنْ بِالْقَصِيرِ وَلاَ بِالطَّوِيلِ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَفِي الْبَابِ عَنْ جَابِرِ بْنِ سَمُرَةَ وَأَبِي رِمْثَةَ وَأَبِي جُحَيْفَةَ ‏.‏ وَهَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ ‏.‏ Al-Bara narrated: "I have not seen anyone with shoulder-length hair, wearing a red Hullah, more handsome than the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). His hair reached his shoulders, he had broad shoulders, and he was neither short nor tall." [Sunan Tirmidhi 1724]

The Prophet (ﷺ) wore a Hullah, which is a two-piece garment consisting of a shirt and an izar. He wore it in red, which we believe was more like an earthy, warm orange rather than a bright red. The Arabs would often refer to orange shades as "red."

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ أَبُو ثَوْرٍ الْكَلْبِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ يُونُسَ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ الْيَمَامِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عِكْرِمَةُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو زُمَيْلٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ لَمَّا خَرَجَتِ الْحَرُورِيَّةُ أَتَيْتُ عَلِيًّا - رضى الله عنه - فَقَالَ ائْتِ هَؤُلاَءِ الْقَوْمَ ‏.‏ فَلَبِسْتُ أَحْسَنَ مَا يَكُونُ مِنْ حُلَلِ الْيَمَنِ - قَالَ أَبُو زُمَيْلٍ وَكَانَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ رَجُلاً جَمِيلاً جَهِيرًا - قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَأَتَيْتُهُمْ فَقَالُوا مَرْحَبًا بِكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ مَا هَذِهِ الْحُلَّةُ قَالَ مَا تَعِيبُونَ عَلَىَّ لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَحْسَنَ مَا يَكُونُ مِنَ الْحُلَلِ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ اسْمُ أَبِي زُمَيْلٍ سِمَاكُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ الْحَنَفِيُّ ‏.‏ Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated: When the Haruriyyah (a group from the Khawarij) rebelled, I went to Ali – radiyAllahu 'anhu – and he said to me, ‘Go to these people.’ So I wore the finest Yemeni garments I had. (Abu Zumeil said: Ibn Abbas was a handsome man with a powerful voice.) Ibn Abbas said: I approached them, and they said, ‘Welcome, O Ibn Abbas! But what is this garment you're wearing?’ I said: ‘Do you blame me for this? I have seen the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wearing the finest of garments.’" [Sunan Abi Dawud 4037]

Ibn Abbas was one of the prominent companions of the Prophet (ﷺ). He saw the Prophet (ﷺ) wear some of the best clothes — not all of them were cheap. The Prophet (ﷺ) wore both fine and simple garments.

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا يزيد بن هارون قال حدثنا همام عن قتادة عن عمرو ابن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (كلوا واشربوا وتصدقوا، والبسوا ما لم يخالطه إسراف ولا مخيلة).
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٣٦]

The Prophet (ﷺ) said: "Eat, drink, give charity, and wear clothing, as long as it is not mixed with extravagance or arrogance." [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 36]

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا ابن عيينة عن إبراهيم بن ميسرة عن طاوس عن ابن عباس قال: كل ما شئت والبس ما شئت ما أخطأتك خلتان: سرف أو مخيلة.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٣٦]

Ibn 'Abbas said: "Eat what you like and wear what you like, as long as you avoid two things: extravagance and arrogance." [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 36]

The Salaf Saliheen wore expensive clothes

There are many examples of the Sahabah and their students wearing expensive clothes. They did not limit themselves to cheap fabrics such as wool but wore a variety of materials, including linen and khazz, a blended fabric made of linen and silk.

Some of them chose simpler clothing, doing so with the intention of focusing more on the Hereafter and detaching themselves from the Dunyah. They would often patch their garments, even when worn and tattered.

Others, however, wore expensive clothing in order to beautify themselves and display the blessings of Allah upon them. They would wear fine linen and khazz.

Khazz was considered luxurious and comfortable. The silk gave it lightness, a soft texture, resistance to wrinkles, temperature regulation, and a subtle sheen. The linen added breathability, texture, and coolness. Altogether, this fabric was light and helped keep the wearer cool.

The Sahaba wore expensive clothes

Ibn Umar

[ 5801 ] أخبرنا أبو نصر بن قتادة ، أخبرنا أبو الحسن علي بن الفضل بن محمد بن عقيل ، حدثنا أبو إسحاق إبراهيم بن هاشم البغوي ، حدثنا عبد الله بن محمد بن أسماء ، حدثني جويرية بن أسماء ، عن نافع : أن ابن عمر كان ربما لبس المطرف الخز ثمنه خمس مائة درهم .
[شعب الإيمان - المجلد ٨ - الصفحة ٢٦٨]

Nāfiʿ said: Ibn ʿUmar would sometimes wear a cloak of khazz that cost five hundred dirhams. [Shu'ab al-Iman - Volume 8 - Page 268]

Ibn Abbas

حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ أَبُو ثَوْرٍ الْكَلْبِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ يُونُسَ بْنِ الْقَاسِمِ الْيَمَامِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا عِكْرِمَةُ بْنُ عَمَّارٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو زُمَيْلٍ، حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ لَمَّا خَرَجَتِ الْحَرُورِيَّةُ أَتَيْتُ عَلِيًّا - رضى الله عنه - فَقَالَ ائْتِ هَؤُلاَءِ الْقَوْمَ ‏.‏ فَلَبِسْتُ أَحْسَنَ مَا يَكُونُ مِنْ حُلَلِ الْيَمَنِ - قَالَ أَبُو زُمَيْلٍ وَكَانَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ رَجُلاً جَمِيلاً جَهِيرًا - قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّاسٍ فَأَتَيْتُهُمْ فَقَالُوا مَرْحَبًا بِكَ يَا ابْنَ عَبَّاسٍ مَا هَذِهِ الْحُلَّةُ قَالَ مَا تَعِيبُونَ عَلَىَّ لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَحْسَنَ مَا يَكُونُ مِنَ الْحُلَلِ ‏.‏ قَالَ أَبُو دَاوُدَ اسْمُ أَبِي زُمَيْلٍ سِمَاكُ بْنُ الْوَلِيدِ الْحَنَفِيُّ ‏.‏ Abdullah ibn Abbas narrated: When the Haruriyyah (a group of the Khawarij) rebelled, I went to Ali – radiyAllahu 'anhu – and he said to me, ‘Go to these people.’ So I put on the best of the Yemeni garments I had. (Abu Zumeil (one of the narrators) said: Ibn Abbas was a handsome man with a powerful voice.) Ibn Abbas said: I came to them, and they said, ‘Welcome, O Ibn Abbas! But what is this garment you are wearing?’ I said: ‘Do you criticize me for this? Verily, I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wearing the best of garments.’" [Sunan Abi Dawud 4037]

The Khawarij used to wear coarse clothing while looking down upon those who wore fine clothes.

[ 5804 ] وأخبرنا علي ، حدثنا أحمد ، حدثنا علان بن عبد الصمد ، حدثنا أبو معمر ، حدثنا عبد السلام بن حرب الملائي ، عن مالك بن دينار ، عن عكرمة ، عن ابن عباس : أنه كان يلبس الخز وقال : إنما يكره المصمت حريرا .
[شعب الإيمان - المجلد ٨ - الصفحة ٢٦٩]

Ibn Abbas used to wear khazz and said: "What is blameworthy/hated is to wear pure silk." [Shu'ab al-Iman - Volume 8 - Page 269]

Ibn Abbas made it clear that wearing a blend of silk with other fabrics is permissible. What is prohibited is wearing pure silk — that is, a garment made entirely of silk, or including silk exceeding four fingers.

Abu Hurayrah

حَدَّثَنَا سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ حَرْبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا حَمَّادٌ، عَنْ أَيُّوبَ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ كُنَّا عِنْدَ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ وَعَلَيْهِ ثَوْبَانِ مُمَشَّقَانِ مِنْ كَتَّانٍ فَتَمَخَّطَ فَقَالَ بَخْ بَخْ أَبُو هُرَيْرَةَ يَتَمَخَّطُ فِي الْكَتَّانِ، لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُنِي وَإِنِّي لأَخِرُّ فِيمَا بَيْنَ مِنْبَرِ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِلَى حُجْرَةِ عَائِشَةَ مَغْشِيًّا عَلَىَّ، فَيَجِيءُ الْجَائِي فَيَضَعُ رِجْلَهُ عَلَى عُنُقِي، وَيُرَى أَنِّي مَجْنُونٌ، وَمَا بِي مِنْ جُنُونٍ، مَا بِي إِلاَّ الْجُوعُ‏.‏

Muhammad ibn Sireen narrated: "We were with Abu Hurayrah while he was wearing two linen garments dyed with red ochre. He wiped his nose with his garment, saying (to himself), 'Fantastic! Fantastic! Abu Huraira is cleaning his nose with linen! There came a time when I would fall senseless between the pulpit of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) and `Aisha's dwelling whereupon a passerby would come and put his foot on my neck, considering me a mad man, but in fact, I had no madness, I suffered nothing but hunger.'" [Sahih al-Bukhari 7324]

Abu Hurayrah used to be very poor, but then he acquired some wealth from which he bought fabrics such as linen. He also wore khazz.

19958 - أخبرنا عبد الرزاق عن معمر عن محمد بن زياد قال: رأيت على أبي هريرة كساء خز أغبر، كساه إياه مروان (1).
[المصنف - عبد الرزاق الصنعاني - ج ١١ - الصفحة ٧٦]

Muhammad ibn Ziyad said: “I saw on Abu Hurayrah a cloak of earthy tone made of khazz, which Marwan (Caliph Marwan I) had given him.” [Musannaf Abdurrazzaq - Volume 11 - Page 76]

Anas ibn Malik

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا وكيع عن عبد الله السلام بن شداد أبي طالوت قال: رأيت على أنس بن مالك عمامة خز.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٤٦]

ʿAbd Allāh al-Salām ibn Shaddād Abū Ṭālūt said: "I saw on Anas ibn Mālik a turban of khazz (linen and silk blended fabric)." [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 46]

Imran ibn Husayn

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا يزيد بن هارون قال حدثنا همام عن قتادة عن عمرو ابن شعيب عن أبيه عن جده قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: (كلوا واشربوا وتصدقوا، والبسوا ما لم يخالطه إسراف ولا مخيلة).
[شُعَب الإيمان - الجزء ٨ - الصفحة ٢٦٢]

Abu Raja’ al-‘Ataridi narrated: ‘Imran ibn Husayn came out to us wearing a cloak made of khaz (linen/silk blend). So we said: "O Companion of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ), you wear this?" He replied: "The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: ‘Indeed, Allah loves that when He bestows a blessing upon His servant, He sees the effect of His blessing on him.’” [Shu'ab al-Iman - Volume 8 - Page 262]

The companion explained that wearing such clothing is allowed, and that he only does it to please Allah in showing the blessings bestowed upon himself.

Al-Husayn ibn Ali

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا أبو الأحوص عن أبي إسحاق عن العيزار بن حريث قال: رأيت الحسين بن علي وعليه كساء خز، وكان يخضب بالحناء والكتم.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٣]

Al-Aizar ibn Harith said: I saw Al-Husayn ibn Ali wearing a khazz cloak, and he used to dye with henna and katm. [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 3]

Talhah ibn Ubaydullah

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا يزيد عن الجريري عن أبي طلحة قال: خرج طلحة ابن عبيد الله وعليه ثوبان ممصران.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٣٧]

Abu Talhah narrated: Talhah ibn Ubaydullah went out wearing two linen garments from Egypt. [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 3]

Clothing imported from Egypt was known for its high-quality fabric, mostly linen. Such clothing was expensive, not cheap.

Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr

19961 - أخبرنا عبد الرزاق عن معمر عن هشام بن عروة قال: رأيت على عبد الله بن الزبير مطرقا من خز أخضر كسته إياه عائشة.
[المصنف - عبد الرزاق الصنعاني - ج ١١ - الصفحة ٧٦]

Hishām ibn ʿUrwah, who said: "I saw on ʿAbd Allāh ibn al-Zubayr a green khazz mantle (miṭraq) which ʿĀʾishah had given him." [Musannaf Abdurrazzaq - Volume 11 - Page 76]

Nāfi‘ ibn al-Hārith

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا وكيع عن عيينة بن عبد الرحمن عن أبيه قال: كان لأبي بكرة مطرف خز سداه حرير، وكان يلبسه.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٣]

‘Uyaynah ibn ‘Abd al-Rahman, from his father, who said: Abu Bakrah (Nāfi‘ ibn al-Hārith) had a cloak of khazz whose warp was silk, and he used to wear it. [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 3]

Ubaydah ibn Abdullah

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا ابن فضيل عن الوليد بن جميع قال: رأيت على عبيدة بن عبد الله برنس خز.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٤]

Al-Walīd ibn Jamīʿ narrated: I saw ʿUbaydah ibn ʿAbd Allāh wearing a burnus (sleeved cloak with hood) made of khazz (a blend of silk and linen). [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 4]

Many companions wore clothing made from khazz

19963 - أخبرنا عبد الرزاق عن عبد الله بن عمر قال: أخبرني وهب بن كيسان قال: رأيت خمسة من أصحاب النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم يلبسون الخز: سعد بن أبي وقاص، وابن عمر، وجابر بن عبد الله، وأبو سعيد، وأبو هريرة (1)، وأنس (2).
[المصنف - عبد الرزاق الصنعاني - ج ١١ - الصفحة ٧٧]

Wahb ibn Kaysān said: "I saw five of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) wearing khazz (خز): Saʿd ibn Abī Waqqāṣ, Ibn ʿUmar, Jābir ibn ʿAbd Allāh, Abū Saʿīd, Abū Hurayrah, and Anas.” [Musannaf Abdurrazzaq - Volume 11 - Page 77]

حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا وكيع عن إسرائيل عن حكيم بن جبير عن خيثمة أن ثلاثة عشر من أصحاب محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم كانوا يلبسون خزا.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٥]

Khaithama narrated: Thirteen of the companions of Muhammad, peace be upon him, used to wear khazz (خز)." [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 5]

(9) حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا أبو داود الطيالسي عن عمران القطان قال: أخبرني عمار قال: رأيت على أبي قتادة مطرف خز، ورأيت على أبي هريرة مطرف خز، ورأيت على ابن عباس ما لا أحصي.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٤]

ʿAmmār narrated: I saw on Abū Qatādah a cloak of khazz, and I saw on Abū Hurayrah a cloak of khazz, and I saw it on Ibn ʿAbbās frequently." [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 4]

(11) حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا أبو أسامة عن هشام بن عروة قال: رأيت على عبد الله بن الزبير وعروة بن الزبير وعلى أبي بكر بن عبد الرحمن بن الحارث بن هشام أكسية خز.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٤]

Hishām ibn ʿUrwah said: "I saw ʿAbdullah ibn al-Zubayr, ʿUrwah ibn al-Zubayr, and Abū Bakr ibn ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn al-Ḥārith ibn Hishām wearing cloaks made of khazz." [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 4]

The Sahaba wore simple clothing, often made from cotton or wool. However, they also wore garments made from linen and at times even khazz. They did not limit themselves to a single type of fabric.

(12) حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا وكيع عن سفيان عن منصور عن إبراهيم قال: من كان قبلكم أشفق ثيابا وأشفق قلوبا.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٣٧]

Ibrahim (al-Nakha'ee) said: ‘Those who came before you (the Sahaba) were more humble in their clothing and more tender-hearted.’” [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 37]

From the Tabi'een who wore expensive clothing

Shurayh

19960 - أخبرنا عبد الرزاق عن معمر قال: أخبرني الحكم ابن عتيبة قال: رأيت علي شريح مطرفا من خر أخضر وهو يقضي.
[المصنف - عبد الرزاق الصنعاني - ج ١١ - الصفحة ٧٦]

Ḥakam ibn ʿUtaybah said: "I saw on Shurayḥ a green khazz mantle while he was judging (i.e. acting as a judge)." [Musannaf Abdurrazzaq - Volume 11 - Page 76]

Salim ibn Abdullah

19962 - أخبرنا عبد الرزاق عن معمر عن أيوب عن نافع قال: كان ابن عمر يرى بنيه يلبسون الخز فلا يعيب عليهم.
[المصنف - عبد الرزاق الصنعاني - ج ١١ - الصفحة ٧٧]

Nāfiʿ said: Ibn ʿUmar used to see his sons wearing khazz and he would not criticize them. [Musannaf Abdurrazzaq - Volume 11 - Page 77]

Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad

(12) حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا عبدة عن محمد بن إسحاق قال: رأيت على القاسم وأبي جعفر جبتين من خز، وجبة أبي جعفر من خز أدكن.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٤]

Muḥammad ibn Isḥāq said: "I saw al-Qāsim and Abū Jaʿfar wearing two jubbas (mantles) of khazz. The jubba of Abū Jaʿfar was made of dark-colored khazz." [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 4]

حدثنا أحمد بن محمد بن عبد الوهاب الصائغ ، قال : ثنا محمد بن إسحاق بن إبراهيم ، قال : ثنا حاتم الجوهري ، قال : ثنا عارم ، قال : ثنا حماد بن سلمة ، عن أيوب ، [ ص: 185 ] قال : رأيت على القاسم بن محمد قلنسوة من خز أخضر ، ورداء سابريا له علم ملون مصبوغ بشيء من زعفران ويدع مائة ألف يتلجلج في نفسه منها شيء .
[حلية الأولياء - الجزء ٢ - الصفحة ١٨٥]

Ayyūb said: I saw al-Qāsim ibn Muḥammad (grandson of Abu Bakr) wearing a green skullcap of khazz and a sābirī cloak with a multicolored border dyed with a bit of saffron, while he left behind one hundred thousand (dirhams) yet felt something unsettled in his soul because of it. [Hilyatul Awliyaa - Volume 2 - Page 185]

قال: أخبرنا عارم بن الفضل قال: أخبرنا حماد بن زيد عن أيوب قال: رأيت على القاسم بن محمد قلنسوة من خز خضراء ورداء سابري له علم ملون مصبوغ بشيء من زعفران. قال ويدع مائة ألف يتخلج في بقه منها شيء.
[الطبقات الكبرى - الجزء ٥ - الصفحة ١٤٤]

Ayyūb said: I saw al-Qāsim ibn Muḥammad (grandson of Abu Bakr) wearing a green skullcap made of khazz and a sābirī cloak with a multicolored decorative border dyed with a bit of saffron. He said he left behind one hundred thousand (dirhams), yet something stirred in his mouth because of it (meaning he felt some unease or inner conflict regarding that wealth). [Tabaqat al-Kubra - Volume 5 - Page 144]

قال: أخبرنا الفضل بن دكين قال: أخبرنا خالد بن إلياس قال: رأيت على القاسم بن محمد جبة خز وكساء خز وعمامة خز.
[الطبقات الكبرى - الجزء ٥ - الصفحة ١٤٦]

Khālid ibn Ilyās said: I saw al-Qāsim ibn Muḥammad wearing a mantle, a cloak, and a turban, all made of khazz. [Tabaqat al-Kubra - Volume 5 - Page 146]

قال أخبرنا الفضل بن دكين قال: أخبرنا موسى بن أبي بكر الأنصاري قال: كان القاسم بن محمد يلبس المروي والخز.
[الطبقات الكبرى - الجزء ٥ - الصفحة ١٤٦]

Mūsā ibn Abī Bakr al-Anṣārī said: Al-Qāsim ibn Muḥammad used to wear marwīyyah and khazz. [Tabaqat al-Kubra - Volume 5 - Page 146]

قال: أخبرنا الفضل بن دكين قال: أخبرنا معاذ بن العلاء قال: رأيت القاسم بن محمد فرأيت على رحله قطيفة من خز غبراء وعليه جبة من خز خضراء ورأيت عليه رداء ممصرا.
[الطبقات الكبرى - الجزء ٥ - الصفحة ١٤٦]

Muʿādh ibn al-ʿAlāʾ informed us: I saw al-Qāsim ibn Muḥammad, and I saw on his saddle a velvet cloth made of dark-colored khazz, and he was wearing a green mantle of khazz, and I saw on him an Egyptian cloak. [Tabaqat al-Kubra - Volume 5 - Page 146]

'Urwah ibn al-Zubayr

قال: أخبرنا عبيد الله بن عبد المجيد الحنفي عن عيسى بن حفص قال: رأيت على عروة جبة خز.
[الطبقات الكبرى - المجلد الخامس - الصفحة ١٣٨]

Isa ibn Hafs said: I saw ‘Urwah wearing a mantle of khazz." [Tabaqat al-Kubra - Volume 5 - Page 138]

Nafi' ibn Jubayr

قال: أخبرنا محمد بن عمر قال: أخبرنا موسى بن عبيدة قال: رأيت نافع بن جبير يلبس الخز.
[الطبقات الكبرى - الجزء ٥ - الصفحة ١٥٩]

Musa ibn Ubaidah said: I saw Nafi’ ibn Jubayr wearing khazz. [Tabaqat al-Kubra - Volume 5 - Page 159]

Abu Bakr ibn Abdul-Rahman

قال: أخبرنا أبو أسامة حماد بن أسامة عن هشام بن عروة قال: رأيت على أبي بكر بن عبد الرحمن كساء خز.
[الطبقات الكبرى - الجزء ٥ - الصفحة ١٦٠]

Hisham ibn Urwah said: I saw on Abu Bakr ibn Abd al-Rahman a cloak of khazz. [Tabaqat al-Kubra - Volume 5 - Page 160]

Ali ibn al-Husayn

(13) حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا ابن نمير عن الأجلح عن حبيب قال: كان لعلي بن حسين كساء خز يلبسه كل جمعة.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٤]

Ḥabīb narrated: ʿAlī ibn al-Ḥusayn had a cloak of khazz which he would wear every Friday. [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 4]

أخبرنا مالك بن إسماعيل قال: حدثنا حسين بن زيد بن علي عن عمه عمر بن علي عن علي بن حسين أنه كان يشتري كساء الخز بخمسين دينارا فيشتو فيه ثم يبيعه ويتصدق بثمنه. ويصيف في ثوبين من ثياب مصر أشمونيين بدينار.
ويلبس ما بين ذا وذا من اللبوس ويقول: «مَنْ حَرَّمَ زِينَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي أَخْرَجَ لِعِبادِهِ» الأعراف: ٣٢.
[الطبقات الكبرى - الجزء ٥ - الصفحة ١٦٨]

‘Umar ibn ‘Ali said: ‘Ali ibn Husayn used to buy a khazz cloak for fifty dinars, wear it during the winter, then sell it and give its price in charity. And during the summer, he would wear two garments from Egyptian Ashmunein cloth, for one dinar. He wore various garments between those (summer and winter) seasons, and he would say: “Who has forbidden the adornment of Allah which He has brought forth for His servants” [Surah al-A'raf, 7:32]. [Tabaqat al-Kubra - Volume 5 - Page 168]

Ali ibn Husayn meant that Allah has not prohibited wearing nice/expensive clothes, so no one should prohibit wearing such clothes.

Ja'far al-Sadiq

حدثنا أبو أحمد محمد بن أحمد الغطريفي ، ثنا محمد بن أحمد بن مكرم الضبي ، ثنا علي بن عبد الحميد ، ثنا موسى بن مسعود ، ثنا سفيان الثوري ، قال : دخلت على جعفر بن محمد وعليه جبة خز دكناء وكساء خز إيرجاني فجعلت أنظر إليه معجبا ، فقال لي : يا ثوري ما لك تنظر إلينا لعلك تعجب مما رأيت ؟ قال : قلت : يا ابن رسول الله ليس هذا من لباسك ولا لباس آبائك ، فقال لي : يا ثوري كان ذلك زمانا مقفرا مقترا وكانوا يعملون على قدر إقفاره وإقتاره ، وهذا زمان قد أقبل كل شيء فيه عزاليه ، ثم حسر عن ردن جبته وإذا تحتها جبة صوف بيضاء يقصر الذيل عن الذيل والردن عن الردن ، فقال لي : يا ثوري لبسنا هذا لله وهذا لكم ، فما كان لله أخفيناه ، وما كان لكم أبديناه.
[حلية الأولياء - الجزء ٣ - الصفحة ١٩٣]

Sufyān al-Thawrī said: "I entered upon Ja‘far ibn Muhammad, and he was wearing a dark jubbah of khazz and a khazz mantle from Irajān. I began to look at him astonishingly, so he said to me: ‘O Thawrī, why are you looking at us? Perhaps you are astonished at what you see?’ I said, ‘O son of the Messenger of Allah, this is not from your clothing, nor the clothing of your forefathers.’ So he said to me: ‘O Thawrī, that was a time of hardship and scarcity, and they lived in accordance with its hardship and scarcity. But today is a time in which everything has become more abundant.’ Then he lifted the sleeve of his jubbah, and beneath it was a white wool garment—its hem shorter than the outer hem and its sleeve shorter than the outer sleeve. And he said to me: ‘O Thawrī, we wear this (outer garment) for the people, and this (inner garment) for the sake of Allah. What is for Allah, we conceal it. And what is for you (the people), we show it.’" [Hilyatul Awliyaa - Volume 3 - Page 193]

The norm of the Prophet (ﷺ) and his companions was to wear simple clothing, often made from rough materials. Later, when times became more comfortable, some of the companions began to wear more expensive clothes — like Abu Hurayrah, for example.

This shows that the Sahaba initially wore cheaper materials mostly due to scarcity. Ja'far al-Sadiq was the great-great-grandson of the Prophet (ﷺ).

Sa'eed ibn al-Musayyib

(14) حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا وكيع عن عيينة بن عبد الرحمن عن علي بن زيد قال: جلست إلى سعيد بن المسيب وعلي جبة خز، فأخذ بكم جبتي، قال: ما أجود جبتك هذه؟ قال: قلت: وما تعني وقد أفسدوها علي، قال: ومن أفسدها؟ قلت: سالم، قال: إذا صلح قلبك فالبس ما بدا لك، قال: فذكرت قولهما للحسن، قال: فقال: إن من صلاح القلب ترك الخز.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٤]

ʿAlī ibn Zayd narrated: "I sat with Saʿeed ibn al-Musayyib while he was wearing a jubba of khazz, and he took hold of the sleeve of my jubba and said: 'How fine is your jubba!' I said: 'What do you mean? They have ruined it for me.' He said: 'Who ruined it?' I said: 'Sālim.' He said: 'If your heart is sound, then wear whatever you like.' I mentioned this conversation to al-Ḥasan (al-Baṣrī), and he said: 'Part of having a sound heart is to leave off wearing khazz.'" [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 4]

This shows the contrast between the Tabi'een, one group seeing nothing wrong with wearing khazz, and another group discouraging it.

Muhammad ibn Sirin

حدثني سعيد بن أسد حدثنا ضمرة عن رَجَاءٍ عَنِ ابْنِ عَوْنٍ قَالَ: شَهِدْتُ ابْنَ سِيرِينَ يَطْلُبُ ثَوبًا فَسَافَرْتُ سَفَرًا ثُمَّ رَجَعْتُ وما اشتراه كان ينظر في العقدة والشيء، وَلَمْ يَكُنِ الْحَسَنُ هَكَذَا كَانَ يَضَعُ يَدَيْهِ عَلَى الثَّوْبِ ثُمَّ يَقُولُ: مَا أَحْسَنَ هَذَا.
[المعرفة والتاريخ - الفسوي - الجزء ٢ - الصفحة ٦٢]

Ibn ‘Awn said: “I witnessed Ibn Sīrīn looking for a garment. I traveled on a journey and then returned — and he still hadn’t bought it. He would inspect the knot and the (smallest) detail. Al-Ḥasan was not like that; he would place his hands on the garment and say: ‘How beautiful this is!’” [Al-Ma'rifah wal-Tarikh - Fassawi - Volume 2 - Page 62]

قال: أخبرنا عمرو بن عاصم قال: حدثنا أبو الأشهب قال: رأيت على ابن سيرين ثياب كتان.
[طبقات الكبرى - الجزء ٧ - الصفحة ١٥٣]

Abu al-Ashhab said: I saw linen clothes on Ibn Sirin. [Tabaqat al-Kubra - Volume 7 - Page 153]

Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz

(20) حدثنا أبو بكر قال حدثنا وكيع عن عثمان بن أبي هند قال: رأيت على أبي عبيدة مطرف خز، ورأيت على عمر بن عبد العزيز مطرف خز أبيض.
[المصنف - ابن أبي شيبة الكوفي - ج ٦ - الصفحة ٥]

‘Uthman ibn Abi Hind said: "I saw on Abu Ubaidah a cloak of khazz, and I saw on ‘Umar ibn ‘Abd al-‘Aziz a white cloak of khazz.” [Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah - Volume 6 - Page 5]

Fuqaha who wore expensive clothing

Imam Malik

[ 5796 ] أخبرنا أبو زكريا بن أبي إسحاق ، أخبرنا أبو الحسن الطرائفي ، حدثنا عثمان بن سعيد ، حدثنا القعنبي: رأيت على مالك قلنسوة خز خضراء .
[شعب الإيمان - المجلد ٨ - الصفحة ٢٦٧]

Al-Qa'nabi said: I saw on Mālik a green skullcap made of khazz. [Shu'ab al-Iman - Volume 8 - Page 267]

[ 5808 ] أخبرنا أبو عبد الله الحافظ ، أخبرني عبيد الله بن عبد الرحمن بن محمد بن عبيد الله بن سعد الزهري ، قال : سمعت أبي يقول : هذه كتب جدي عبيد الله بن سعد فقرأت فيها ، حدثنا خالد بن خداش قال : قلت لمالك بن أنس ورأيت عليه طيلسانا طرازيا ، وقلنسوة مبركة ، وثيابا مروية جيادا ، وفي بيته وسائد وأصحابه عليها قعود ، فقلت : يا أبا عبد الله هذا الذي أراك به أشيء أحدثته أو شيء رأيت عليه الناس ؟ قال : لا ، بل شيء رأيت عليه الناس .
[شعب الإيمان - المجلد ٨ - الصفحة ٢٧٠]

Khalid ibn Khaddash said: I said to Malik ibn Anas, and I saw on him an embroidered mantle, a decorated skullcap, and fine marwiyyah clothes. In his house, there were cushions and his companions sat on them. I said: “O Abu Abdullah, is this something new that you introduced, or something you have seen people wear?” He said: “No, rather it is something I have seen people wear.” [Shu'ab al-Iman - Volume 8 - Page 270]

This was actually the type of clothing Al-Qasim ibn Muhammad used to wear. The scholars of Madinah also wore such garments, which is why Imam Malik followed the same practice.

[ 5809 ] أخبرنا محمد بن عبد الله الحافظ ، حدثنا علي بن محمد الحبيبي ، حدثنا بكر بن سهل الدمياطي ، قال : سمعت عبد الله بن يوسف التنيسي ، يقول سمعت مالك بن أنس يقول : ما أدركت فقهاء بلادنا إلا وهم يلبسون الثياب الحسان .
[شعب الإيمان - المجلد ٨ - الصفحة ٢٧١]

Abdullah ibn Yusuf al-Tunisi said: I heard Malik ibn Anas say: "I have never known the jurists of our lands except that they wore fine clothes." [Shu'ab al-Iman - Volume 8 - Page 271]

The seven fuqaha of Madinah used to wear fine clothes, and this is what Imam Malik meant.

Layth ibn Sa'd

وأخبرنا أبو القاسم بن عبد الرحمن بن محمد السراج ، حدثنا أبو منصور محمد بن القاسم الضبعي ، حدثنا أبو عمرو أحمد بن محمد ، حدثنا أبي ، قال : سمعت محمد بن معاوية وسليمان بن حرب إلى جانبه يقول : خرج الليث بن سعد يوما فقوموا ثيابه ، ودابته ، وخاتمه ، وما كان عليه ، ثمانية عشر ألف درهم إلى عشرين ألفا ، فقال سليمان بن حرب : خرج شعبة يوما فقوموا حماره ، وسرجه ولجامه ، ثمانية عشر درهما إلى عشرين درهما .
[شعب الإيمان - المجلد ٨ - الصفحة ٢٧١]

Muhammad ibn Muawiya said while Sulayman ibn Harb was beside him: One day, Al-Layth ibn Sa'd went out, and they estimated his clothes, his mount, his ring, and what he had on at eighteen thousand to twenty thousand dirhams. Then Sulayman ibn Harb said: One day, Shu'ba went out, and they estimated his donkey, its saddle, and its bridle at eighteen to twenty dirhams. [Shu'ab al-Iman - Volume 8 - Page 271]

Spending 20,000 dirhams is like a millionaire spending more than 300,000 US dollars, considering the daily general wages were approximately between 5 dirhams a day, 20,000 dirhams would be 13 years of labour. This signals the wealth Layth possessed.

Shu'ba chose a simpler life than Layth, yet his status is undeniable. There was a group among the Salaf Saliheen who were wealthy, and a group that did not want to buy expensive things.

Abu Hanifa

وقال النخعي: حدثنا محمد بن جعفر بن إسحاق عن عمر بن حماد بن أبي حنيفة أن أبا حنيفة كان طوالا تعلوه سمرة، وكان لباسا حسن الهيئة كثير التعطر، يعرف بريح الطيب إذا أقبل وإذا خرج من منزله قبل أن تراه.
[تاريخ بغداد - الخطيب البغدادي - ج ١٣ - الصفحة ٣٣١]

ʿUmar ibn Ḥammād ibn Abī Ḥanīfah said: "Abū Ḥanīfah was tall and had a brown complexion. He was well-dressed and of good appearance, and he used a lot of perfume — he would be known by the scent of fragrance when he approached or left his house, even before he was seen." [Tarikh Baghdad - Volume 13 - Page 331]

أخبرنَا عمر بن إِبْرَاهِيم قَالَ حَدثنَا مكرم بن أَحْمد قَالَ ثَنَا عبد الْوَهَّاب بن مُحَمَّد المرزوي قَالَ حَدثنِي احْمَد بن الْقَاسِم قَالَ ثَنَا البرتي القَاضِي قَالَ سَمِعت أَبَا نعيم يَقُول كَانَ أَبُو حنيفَة جميلا حسن الْوَجْه حسن اللِّحْيَة حسن الثَّوْب
[ص16 - كتاب أخبار أبي حنيفة وأصحابه]

Qadi al-Bartī from Abū Nuʿaym, who said: "Abū Ḥanīfah was handsome, good-looking, with a fine beard and fine clothing." [Akhbar Abi Hanifa wa Ashaabuhu - Page 16]

12 - حدثني أبي قال: حدثني أبي قال: حدثني أبو أحمد إبراهيم بن أحمد بن سهل الترمذي قال: ثنا القاسم بن غسان القاضي قال: ثنا أبي قال: أخبرني جدي أبو غسان أيوب بن يونس قال: سمعت النضر بن محمد يقول: كان أبو حنيفة جميل الوجه سري الثوب عطراً، ولقد أتيته يوماً في حاجة أعجلته فيها بغلس، فصليت معه الصبح، وأهل الكوفة يغلسون بها، وعليّ كساء قومسي اشتريته من قومس، وتتوقت فيه، فأمر بإسراج بغلته، فلما قضى الصلاة قدم إليه البغل فقال لي: يا نضر أعطني كساءك هذا لأركب في حاجتك، وخذ كسائي إلى أن أرجع، ففعلت، فلما رجع قال لي: يا نضر! لقد أخجلتني بكسائك هذا اليوم، فقلت: وما أنكرت منه -رحمك الله-؟ قال: هو غليظ، قال النضر: ورصدته بعد هذا وقد ركب، فرأيت عليه كساء قومسياً قومته بثلاثين ديناراً، وكنت اشتريت كسائي بخمسة دنانير وأنا به معجب.
[فضائل أبي حنيفة وأخباره لابن أبي العوام - المجلد 1 - الصفحة 46]

Naḍr ibn Muḥammad said: "Abū Ḥanīfah was handsome in appearance, wore fine garments, and was fragrant. One day, I came to him with a need that caused me to come early at dawn. I prayed the morning prayer with him — and the people of Kūfah used to perform it in darkness — and I was wearing a Qūmāsī cloak that I had bought from Qūmis and had become accustomed to wearing. He ordered his mule to be saddled, and when he completed the prayer, the mule was brought to him. He said to me: “O Naḍr, give me your cloak so I may ride in it for your need, and take my cloak until I return.” So I did. When he returned, he said to me: “O Naḍr, you embarrassed me today with your cloak.” I said: “May Allah have mercy on you — what did you find wrong with it?” He said: “It is coarse.” After that, I once watched him as he rode out and noticed he was wearing a Qūmāsī cloak that I estimated to be worth thirty dinars. The one I had given him to wear—I had purchased it for five dinars and had been quite content with it." [Fadaail Abi Hanifa wa Akhbarahu - Volume 1 - Page 46]

Spending thirty dinars on a garment in those times would be equivalent to spending between 10,000 and 30,000 US dollars today. Abu Hanifa wore expensive clothes and also loved high-quality fragrances.

Expensive clothing is permitted

It becomes quite clear after reading all the evidences that wearing expensive clothes is permissible and not blameworthy.

Many among the Salaf Saliheen wore expensive clothes. But many among them also wore simple garments that were often patched.

Islam allows both types of clothing: if one wishes to wear nice clothes and beautify himself, he may do so; and if he prefers simple clothes, that is also permissible.

Those who look down on people for wearing simple clothes fall into the category of arrogance, and the same applies to those who belittle others for wearing expensive clothes.

The principle is that one may wear from what is halal, but should be cautious not to fall into arrogance or extravagance.

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