Allah’s name I begin with and blessings and salutations on the best of all creation, Muhammad, May Allah bless him and grant him peace.

What you have heard (that red clothing is haraam (forbidden) for men) is not true according to the Jurists. There is a misunderstanding about the wearing of red clothing amongst the people. There are ahadith regardingof the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, one of which is in Tirmidhi, that the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, did not reply to the greeting of a person who was wearing red.

However, the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, himself wore red clothing as narrated by Abu Juhayfah, may Allah be pleased with him, who says that “I saw the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, wearing a pair of red (coloured) clothing.” (Shamail-e-Tirmidhi)

The Scholars have looked into this matter such as Allama Syed Gulam Jilani, may Allah have Mercy on him, writes in Nizam-e-Shariat: “To wear red clothing is permissible for males as long as it is light red, otherwise it is disliked (Makrooh).” (Nizame Shariat)

So according to the Scholars it is not forbidden to wear red.

Allama Amjad Ali, may Allah have Mercy on him, writes in Bahare Shairat: “It is not allowed for men to wear saffron be it dark so it is red or be it light so it is yellow, for both the same rule applies. For women both colours are permissible. Besides these two colours all other colours are permissible be it yellow, red etc.

However, it is better if males do not wear these especially if it is common that the opposite sex wear it, meaning it is a feminine colour. (Durre Mukhtar & Raddul Mohtar) This is not because of the colour but because it is common on women, if this is not the case then there is no problem.” (Bahare Shariat)

Hence, we find from the above, that if it is a feminine colour then it should be avoided, i.e. in the west the feminine colour is pink, and hence, men should avoid this colour.

[Answer provided by: Abd al Mannan]