Question

Is this narration authentic?

قلت: يا رسول الله، وإنك لتلبس السراويل؟ قال: نعم، وبالليل والنهار، وفي السفر والحضر، فإني أمرت بالتستر، فلم أجد شيئا أستر منه

Answer

This narration is part of a longer incident recorded in Musnad Abi Ya’la and Al Mu’jamul Awsat. Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) once entered the market place with Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) purchased a trouser/pants for four dirhams. The narration goes on to say that Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu) asked Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam), “O Rasulullah, do you wear trousers?” Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) replied, ‘Yes, during the night and day, whether on travel or not, for I have been ordered to cover and conceal and I did not find anything that can cover better than this.'”

(Musnad Abi Ya’la, Hadith: 6162, Al Mu’jamul Awsat, Hadith: 6590)

‘Allamah Sakhawi (rahimahullah) has declared the chain extremely weak.

(Al Ajwibatul Mardiyyah, vol. 2, pg. 829. Also see: Fathul Bari, Hadith: 5804/5805)

Note:

Besides the Hadith in question, there are other authentic narrations which state that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) did purchase a trouser.  See here for further details.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.

Answered by: Mawlana Suhail Motala

Approved by: Mawlana Muhammad Abasoomar