Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

What is the relavence of the color 'Green' in Islam?  Many Muslim nations have at least a bit of green in their national flags.  Also most muslims  I have met, when asked what their favourite color is, will say 'Green'.  One of them told me it was his favourite because it was the Prophet's (PBUH) favourite color.  Is there any truth in this?

I sincerely hope you will answer my questions.

Thanking you,

Humble believer of God.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Significance of green color

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4382 Narrated by Abud Darda'

Allah's Messenger (saws) said, "The best thing in which to visit Allah in your graves and in your mosques in white."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 5.384 Narrated by Sad bin Abi Waqqas

I saw the Messenger of Allah (saws) on the day of the battle of Uhud accompanied by two men fighting on his behalf. They were dressed in white and were fighting as bravely as possible. I had never seen them before, nor did I see them later on. (implying they were Angels sent by Allah).

Sunan of Abu-Dawood 4050 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas

The Prophet (saws) said: ‘Wear your white garments, for they are among your best garments, and shroud your dead in them.’

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 2586 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

When the Prophet (saws) entered Mecca his banner was white.

It is evident from the above narrations of the Prophet (saws) that his favorite color was white, not green.

It is indeed true that today the color green is probably identified with Muslims, and most Muslim majority countries tend to have the color green in their flags, banners, etc. The choice of the color green has more to do with culture and customs, rather than any reference for being the favorite color of the Prophet (saws).

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan