The Dyes

“Once I visited abu al-Hassan (a.s.). He had applied black dye to his hairs. I said to him (the Imam), ‘I see that you have applied black dye to your hairs.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘In applying dye there is reward. Applying dye and to be prepared is of matters by which Allah, most Majestic, most Glorious, increases the chastity of women. Women ignore chastity because of their husband’s ignoring preparedness.’ I then said, ‘It is narrated to us that applying henna increases oldness.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘What else can you increase in oldness? Oldness increases every day.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that once a man came to the Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause. He (the Messenger of Allah) looked at the signs of oldness in his beard. The Holy Prophet said, ‘It is light.’ He (the Messenger of Allah) then said, ‘If one becomes white-headed because of oldness in Islam he will have a light on the Day of Judgment.’ The man applied dye to his hair with henna, then visited the Holy Prophet. On seeing him the Holy Prophet, said, ‘It is light and Islam.’ He then applied black dye to his hairs and the Holy Prophet, said, ‘It is light, Islam, belief and love from your women, and fear in the hearts of your enemies.’”

A group of people came to see Abu Ja’far (as) and saw him dyeing his hair black. They asked him about it, and he said: ‘I am a man who loves women, and I adorn myself for them.

“Abu Ja’far (a.s.), has said that once a group of people visited al-Husayn (a.s.), and saw black dye applied to his hairs. They asked him (the Imam) about it and he (the Imam) extended his hand to his beard and said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, in an armed expedition commanded them to apply black dye so they can overpower the pagans.’”

“I once asked abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), about the case of coloring the beard and head if it is of Sunnah. He (the Imam) said, ‘Yes, it is of the Sunnah .’ I then said, ‘’Amir al-Mu’minin (a.s.), did not use dye.’ He (the Imam) said, ‘It is because of the words of the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, “This will be dyed with this”.”’

“Abu al-Hassan (a.s.), has said, ’In al-Khidab (applying hair dye) there are three positive qualities. It shows one’s firmness in war, love of women and increase in sexual desire.’”

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about applying dye to the hairs. He (the Imam) said, ‘The Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, applied it as well as al-Husayn and abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, with al- Katam (a plant that looks like myrtle and gives out a black dye).”’

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said that the Messenger of Allah, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, applied hair dye and ’Amir al-Mu’minin did not apply it because of the words of the Holy Prophet, ‘This will be dyed with this’ . Al-Husayn and abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, applied hair dye.’”

“I once asked abu ’Abd Allah (a.s.), about al-Khidab (hair dye). He (the Imam) said, ’Al- Husayn and abu Ja’far, ‘Alayhim al-Salam, applied hair dye with henna and al-Katam.’”

“I saw abu Ja’far (a.s.), had applied hair dye with henna of red color.’”

“Abu ‘Abd Allah (a.s.), has said, ‘You must not allow the hair dye to wear off because it is despair.’”

“The Holy Prophet, O Allah, grant compensation to Muhammad and his family worthy of their services to Your cause, has said, ‘Spending one dirham on hair dye is better than spending one dirham in the way of Allah. There are fourteen advantages in it. It dispels air from the ears, brightens gloominess from the eyes, softens the nose ducts, sweetens the fragrance, strengthens the gums, clears fainting and reduces temptation of Satan. It gives happiness to angels, gives good news to believers, disappoints the unbelievers, it is beautification, it is a perfume and freedom in one’s grave because of which Mukar and Nakir (the two angels in one’s grave) shy away.’”