Answered Shaykh Yūsuf Badat
Question:
Do you have any ruling on men wearing red colored clothing?
Answer:
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم
In the name of Allāh, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
Jazāk Allāh Khayr/ Thank you for contacting Mathabah Institute.
Although there are differing views regarding men wearing red clothing, it is mubāḥ (allowed) according to Imam Abū Ḥanīfah (may Allāh be pleased with him) and others. It is only disliked (makrūh) for men when the intent is imitation or resemblance [of] women, disbelievers, or royal arrogance. Some jurists only forbid men from wearing red if the garment is completely red.
Barā Ibn ‘Āzib (may Allāh be pleased with him) narrates he saw the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) in a red garb. – (Bukhāri 5848)[1]
The colours that the Prophet (peace and blessings upon him) prohibited the men from are dark red dyed clothing (mu’aṣfar), saffron colour, and dark yellowish orange. The majority jurists are of the opinion that these colours are prohibited for men. Wearing various colours is islamicaly permitted in clothing unless it is specifically worn for arrogance and or to unlawfully attract the opposite gender. – (See: Rad Al-Muḥtār, Vol 6, Page 358, Dār Al-Fikr)[2]
“Eat, give charity and clothe yourselves, without being extravagant, and without showing off.” – (Mishkāt Al-Maṣābīḥ 4276)[3]
Only Allāh knows best
[1] حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْوَلِيدِ حَدَّثَنَا شُعْبَةُ عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ سَمِعَ الْبَرَاءَ رضى الله عنه يَقُولُ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَرْبُوعًا وَقَدْ رَأَيْتُهُ فِي حُلَّةٍ حَمْرَاءَ مَا رَأَيْتُ شَيْئًا أَحْسَنَ مِنْهُ – رواه البخاري ٥٨٤٨
[2] وَكُرِهَ لُبْسُ الْمُعَصْفَرِ وَالْمُزَعْفَرِ الْأَحْمَرِ وَالْأَصْفَرِ لِلرِّجَالِ مُفَادُهُ أَنَّهُ لَا يُكْرَهُ لِلنِّسَاءِ وَلَا بَأْسَ بِسَائِرِ الْأَلْوَانِ – كتاب الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين رد المحتار ج٦/ ص٣٥٨ دار الفكر
[3] كلوا واشربوا والبسوا وتصدقوا في غير سرف ولا مخيلة إن الله يحب أن يظهر أثر نعمته على عبده – مشكاة المصابيح ٤٢٧٦