The Prophet's guidance on treating skin rashes and scabies

In the books of Imaams Al-Bukhaari and Muslim it isnarrated that Anas
said: "The Messenger of Allaah has allowed Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn 'Awfand
Az-Zubayr Ibn Al-'Awwaam to wear silk garments because of a skin rash
they had." In another narration, "Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn 'Awf and Az-Zubayr
Ibn Al-'Awwaam complained to the Prophet during a battle that they had
a skin rash, and he allowed them to wear silk garments which I saw
them wearing."
There are two areas of interest regarding this narration, one in the
area of Fiqh (Islamic Jurisprudence) and another medical.
In the area of Fiqh, in principle, wearing silken garments is allowed
only for women and is disallowed for men, except whenthere is a
legitimate need. For instance, men are allowed to wear silken garments
in cold weather, when one has only a silken garment to wear and when
complaining from mange, rashes, mites or lice, as evident by the last
narration.
According to Imaams Ahmad andShaafi'i wearing silken garments is
allowed for men if a necessity warrants it. The permission given to
some Muslims due to special circumstances applies to all thosewho face
similar circumstances.
Several scholars said that the narrations that prohibit silken
garments for men apply in general. They said that the aforementioned
narration might entail a specific permission for only 'Abdur-Rahmaan
Ibn 'Awf and Az-Zubayr . They say that it is possible, though, that
this permission applies to other Muslims. When there is a probability
regarding a certain ruling, adhering to the general text is warranted.
This is why some of the narrators of this narration commented: "I do
not know if the permission does apply to whoever comes after them
('Abdur-Rahmaan Ibn 'Awf and Az-Zubayr)."
The correct opinion is that the permission is general in its
indication and that there is no evidence that it is specific or
restricted. Similarly, the Prophet once said to Abu Burdah:"This
permission applies to you and none else after you." Also, Allaah said
to His Prophet, sallallaahu alayhi wa sail am, regarding the woman who
offered herself in marriage to theProphet (what means):
"...A privilege for you only, not forthe (rest of the) believers..."
[Quran, 33:50]
In the medical area, silk is produced by an animal and is a remedy.
Silk has many benefits, such as soothing and strengthening the heart
and helping relieve several of its ailments. Silk also helps against
black bile and whatever ailments it might cause. Further, silk
strengthens the eyesight when used as eyeliner. Raw silk, which is
used in preparing medications and remedies, is hot and dry in the
first degree. When silk is usedin clothes, it is mild and heats
thebody. Sometimes it could chill thebody.
Ar-Raazi said: "Silk is hotter than linen, colder than cotton and
develops the flesh. Every typeof thick clothes weakens the body and
hardens the skin."
There are three types of clothes, one that brings warmth and also
heats the body. Another type f clothes brings warmth but provides no
heat to the body. Thethird type does not bring warmthor heat. There is
no type that brings heat but not warmth to those wearing it. For
instance clothes made of wool and animalhair elevate body temperature
and bring warmth to the skin. Onthe other hand, silk, Kittan
(linen)and cotton garments only bring warmth to the skin. Kitten
clothes are cold and dry, wool clothes are hot and dry, while cotton
garments are moderate. Silken garments are softer and less hot than
wool. The author ofAl-Minhaj stated that wearing silk, "Does not bring
as much warmth as cotton, because it is milder."
Every type of soft, polished clothes heat the body less and in less
effective in helping the decomposition process. That is why it is
better that this type of clothes is worn during summer and in hot
areas.
Since silken garments are neither dry nor thick as the other types of
clothes they help as a treatment for skin rashes that result form dry,
thick material. Hence, the Prophet allowed Az-Zubayr and
'Abdur-Rahmaan to wear silken garments due to their skin rash. Also,
silken garments are the least hospitableto mites or lice, for it is
not the best environment where mites live and thrive.
The types of body wear that neither elevates the body temperature nor
brings warmth are made of iron, lead, wood, sand, and so forth.
If one asks, "since silk provides the best type of clothes and the
most suitable for the body, why was it prohibited for men by the
Islamic legislation, which is the mot honorable, perfect legislation
and which allows the good and pure things and only prohibits the
impure things?
Scholars answered this stating different reasons, such as, that Islam
prohibited silken garments for men so that they observe patience and
abandon wearing them for Allaah's sake. Others saythat silk was
prohibited because it leads to arrogance and pride.
Yet others say that silk was prohibited because of its softnesson the
skin that leads to femininebehavior while weakening manhood and
masculinity. Hence,you rarely see a man wearing silken garments who is
not affected by its softness by inadvertently imitating feminine
behavior and softness, even if he was among the most masculine men.
Wearing silken garments will certainly diminish the manly qualities
and masculinity, although these qualities will not disappear all
together.
As for those who do not comprehend these facts, let themsubmit to
Allaah's wise decisions and adhere to the texts that prohibit it for
men.
The Prophet said: "Allaah hasallowed silk and gold for the females of
my nation and prohibited them for the males of my nation."
[An-Nasaa'i]
In another narration, the Prophet said: "Wearing silk and gold is
prohibited for the males of my Nation and allowed for the females."