Question:

Imam,

What is the ruling on wearing silk for men?  I understand it is prohibited for men to wear silk but is there a percentage or a certain amount of silk men are aloud to wear?

Jazakhllah Khair

Answer:

A small amount of silk can be worn by men. Small amount would differ in its definition. Its range of total quantity usage upon self would be no more then four fingers worth of fabric. Two fingers worth of fabric would be better. (Best would be to await a silk dressing in Jannah.)

Some Hadith bring forth the amount as a maximum of 2 fingers in silk usage by men, other Hadith make mention of three and up to four fingers in amount of silk for a mans usage upon his clothing. The rulings are based on the following: (See italicized portions below)

‘Asim al-Abwal (RA) reported on the authority Abu Uthman (RA) saying: ‘Umar (RA) wrote to us when we were in Azharba’ijan saying:  Sayidinah Utba b. Farqad, (RA) this wealth is neither the result of your own labor nor the result of the labor of your father, nor the result of the labor of your mother, so feed Muslims at their own places as you feed (members of your family and yourselves at your own residence), and beware of the life of pleasure, and the dress of the polytheists and wearing of silk garments, for Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) forbade the wearing of silk garments, but only this much, and Allah’s Messenger (may peace be upon him) raised his forefinger and middle finger and he joined them (to indicate that only this much silk can be allowed in the dress of a man). Sayidinah Asim said also: This is what is recorded in the letter., (which sent to us), and Sayidinah Zuhair (RA) raised his two fingers (to give an idea of the extent to which silk may be used). (imam Muslim) Book 024, Number 5151

Sayidinah Qatada (RA) reported: I heardSayidinah Abe Uthman al-Nahdi (RA) as saying: There came to us a letter of  Sayidinah Umar (RA) as we were in Azharba’ijan or in Syria in the company of  Sayidinah Utba b. Farqad (and the letter was as follows): After (upon appropriate) it is stated that Rasulullah  (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has forbidden the use of silk except to the extent of these two fingers, and Abu Uthman said: We at once understood by these words that he meant (silk) patterns on (the cloth). (Imam Muslim) Book 024, Number 5154

Sayidinah Suwaid b. Ghafala said: Sayidinah Umar (RA) addressed us at a place known as Jabiyya (Syria) and he said: Rasulullah  (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) forbade us the wearing of silk but to the extent of two or three fingers or four fingers. (Imam Muslim) Book 024, Number 5156

Note: As a precautionary measure, it would be best for you to use no more than two fingers worth of silk upon your (male) self. This could be inclusive of thread within the fabric, stitching of a button, hem, etc

Allah Certainly Knows Best.

p.s. the above answer would not apply for people using silk as recommended by a physician due to ailments or other religiously valid purposes.