(124) Chapter: The Prohibition of Using the Skin of the Leopard

Mu`awiyah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "Do not ride on saddles made from silk or leopard's skin."


[Abu Dawud].

Commentary: This Hadith prohibits Muslim men from using fur and the leopard's hide. In fact the non-Muslim contemporaries of the Prophet (PBUH) used to wear them. Since, they had an epicurean lifestyle, unconcerned about the Hereafter, the Muslims were dissuaded from emulating their example. The motive behind the ban by Messenger of Allah (PBUH) was to help believers in acquiring a sense of Taqwa (consciousness of Allah/fear of Allah). As for pure silk, Muslim men are totally disallowed to use it. Even the saddle-cloth must not be of silk. The same rule applies to any usable thing made from the leopard's hide because it is expressive of arrogance and also bears resemblance to the non-Muslim way of life.