The Hadith Text

"A silken Farruj was presented to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) and he put it on and offered the prayer in it, then when he had finished the prayer he tore it off as if he disliked it and said: 'This is not befitting for those who have Taqwa.'"

Scholarly Commentary

The Farruj mentioned in this narration refers to a garment with silk woven into it, typically a luxurious outer garment. The Prophet's initial wearing of it demonstrates that silk is not fundamentally impure, but his subsequent action of tearing it off reveals the ruling concerning men wearing silk.

His statement "This is not befitting for those who have Taqwa" establishes that wearing silk is contrary to the characteristic of God-consciousness expected from Muslim men. This prohibition applies specifically to males, as established in other authentic narrations where women are permitted to wear silk.

The Prophet's prayer in the garment was valid, indicating that wearing prohibited clothing does not invalidate prayer, though it remains sinful. His immediate removal of the garment after prayer teaches us to promptly abandon what Allah has forbidden.

Legal Rulings Derived

Men are prohibited from wearing pure silk garments or garments containing silk.

The prohibition stems from it being contrary to the quality of piety (Taqwa) that believers should cultivate.

Prayer performed while wearing silk remains valid, though the wearer commits a sin.

One should hasten to abandon anything forbidden once aware of its prohibition.