Ibn Sacd narrated that cA’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said that a man said to her, ‘Describe Abu Bakr to us.’ She said, ‘A fair man, of slender build, thin cheeked and with a stoop; he could not keep his lower garment from slipping over his loins; gaunt-faced, eyes deep-set, with a prominent forehead, and the backs of his hands fleshless. This is his description.’ He narrated that cA’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said that Abu Bakr used to dye [his hair and beard] with henna and indigo (katam).

He narrated that Anas said: The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, went to Madinah and there was no-one among his companions having hair of mixed white and black except Abu Bakr, so he dyed it with henna and indigo {katam).