Guidance on Clothing Whilst in a State of Ihram

Abdur Rahman bin Uthman states, “On one occasion, we were with Hazrat Talha (ra) bin Ubaidullah in a state of Ihram [the intention to perform Umrah or Hajj]. One person brought a bird and presented it as an offering. At the time, Hazrat Talha (ra) was resting. Some of us ate from it, while others abstained from eating it. When Hazrat Talha (ra) woke up he agreed with the action of those who ate the offering and said, ‘We also ate the offerings that were hunted by others whilst in the company of the Holy Prophet (sa).’”

(Musnad Ahmad bin Hanbal, Vol. 3, p. 7, Musnad Abu Muhammad Talha bin Ubaidillah, Hadith 1383, Mu‘assisatul Risalah, 2001)

Aslam, the freed slave of Hazrat Umar (ra) narrates, “Hazrat Umar (ra) saw Hazrat Talha (ra) bin Ubaidullah wearing two garments that had been dyed using clay, despite the fact that he was in a state of Ihraam. Hazrat Umar (ra) asked, ‘O Talha! What is the meaning of these clothes?’ (since he had dyed his clothes). He replied, ‘O Amir-ul-Momineen [Leader of the believers]! I have dyed them in clay.’ Hazrat Umar (ra) replied, ‘O ye Companions! You all are leaders and people will follow your conduct. If an ignorant one sees you wearing these clothes, he will say that Talha (ra) wears coloured clothes in a state of Ihram.’” i.e regardless of whichever colour was used, people could raise an allegation that instead of wearing white clothes, he wore clothes that were coloured. In another narration, the following words are found in addition to the aforementioned Hadith that Hazrat Umar (ra) stated, “The best clothes to wear in a state of Ihram are white, therefore do not place other people in doubt regarding this matter.”