The Ruling on the Use of Henna by Men and Wearing Silk

The listener Ali Muhammad Sa'id Abbas, a Sudanese resident in Arar, wrote a letter asking and saying: We have customs and traditions in Sudan, among which is that when any person gets married, he must put henna on his feet and hands, and they dress him in silk. What is the ruling on what they do?
Answer: Henna is among the characteristics of women, so a man should not do it; because it is imitating women. But if it is in a country where men do it without women, it is not imitation. If it is in a country where their custom is to use henna on their feet or hands for reasons that necessitate it, either to treat an illness, or for reasons that necessitate henna, and his intention is not to imitate women due to a cause, then this is not from the category of imitation. Or if the custom among them is that men do it at some times and women do not do it, it is not from the actions of women, it becomes from the actions of men. This becomes a specific custom among the people of that country. As for what is known among us, henna is from the specific characteristics of women, and it is not permissible for men to do it; because it is imitating women. But if a country is found where the situation is reversed, and henna becomes for the man on his hand or foot or head, and women do not use it, then the most apparent is that there is no imitation in it; because it is from the specific characteristics of men in that country at that time. And likewise, wearing silk, the believer must beware of it; because it is from the specific characteristics of women, and he should not imitate women. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited men from wearing silk, and said: , and his saying: , this is what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said. So the point is that silk is from the specific characteristics of women, Allah made it lawful for women to adorn themselves with it, but the man does not have the right to wear silk, except a small amount, the place of two fingers, or three, or four. This came in the hadith, it is an exception. The small amount... a patch, or to hold the end of the garment with it, or something similar to the small amount that does not exceed two or three or four fingers, meaning: the place of two or three or four fingers. Yes.
The presenter: May Allah reward you. If it is found in a certain country that henna is shared between women and men, what is the ruling, if you would be so kind?
The Shaykh: This, and Allah knows best, is what a man should avoid; because it exists in some countries where it is specific to women. For a man to avoid it is from the category of caution. As for ruling it forbidden, Allah knows best. If it is a characteristic of both, and from the actions of both, it is a matter of consideration. But for a man to avoid it so that women are distinguished from men, and it is mostly from the adornment of women, the woman adorns herself with it for the man and puts dye on her hands or feet, this is the majority of women's adornment; because it arouses the man's desire for her. So what is recommended and safest is that it be for women only, and that the man leave it. As it exists in Najd and possibly other countries where it is specific to the woman. The woman in Najd is the one who uses henna, adorning herself for her husband with henna, and the man does not do it. So if it is in a country where these and those do it, the closest, and Allah knows best, is that the man avoids it so that he stays away from the doubtful matter: .
The presenter: May Allah reward you with good.