Hadithcore
Riyad as-Salihin, 1637

Jabir (May Allah be pleased with him) said:

Abu Quhafah, father of Abu Bakr (May Allah be pleased with them) was presented to the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) on the day of the conquest of Makkah and his head and beard were snow white. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Change it (i.e., dye it and avoid black colour)." <b>[Muslim]</b>.

عن جابر رضي الله عنه قال‏:‏ أتي بأبي قحافة والد أبي بكر الصديق رضي الله عنهما يوم فتح مكة ورأسه ولحيته كالثغامة بياضًا، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏:‏ ‏

‏غيروا هذا واجتنبوا السواد‏

‏ ‏(‏‏(‏رواه مسلم‏)‏‏)‏‏.‏

References1 variant
In-Book Reference
Book 17, Hadith 127
Sharh · explanationclick to expand
<b>Guidance from the Hadith:</b><br> 1) It is recommended to dye the hair of the elderly in compliance with the Prophetic Sunnah, and in opposition to the polytheists.<br> 2) It is prohibited to dye the hair in black. Some rationale behind that is avoiding the concealment of the reality.<br> <br> <b>Benefit:</b><br> Imam Ahmad narrated in his Musnad (3/160) on the authority of Muhammad ibn Sirin that he said: Anas ibn Mālik was asked about the dye of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), and he said:<br> “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) had only a little white hair. But Abu Bakr and ‘Umar dyed their hair after him with Katam and Hinna. Also, Abu Bakr came with his father Abu Quhāfah to the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) on the day of the Conquest of Makkah. He was carrying him and placed him in front of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) who said to Abu Bakr: ‘If you had kept him at his house, we would have come to him,’ in honor of Abu Bakr. Abu Quhāfah accepted Islam, and his head and beard were as white as a Thaghāmah (a plant with white flowers and fruits). Thereupon, the Messenger of Allah (may Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him) said:‘Change them, and avoid black.’”<br> <br> <b>Words in the Hadith:</b><br> Thaghāmah: a plant with white flowers and fruits. White hair is likened to it given its whiteness.
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