on the day of Eid, Imam Hasan (a.s.) and Imam Husayn (a.s.) entered the house of their Grandfather the Prophet of Allah Muhammad (S) and said,
“O Grandfather! Today is the day of Eid, and the children of Arabs have worn new and colorful clothes, while we do not have any new dress with us, hence we have come to you.”
The Prophet pondered over their state and wept that he did not have a dress with him suitable for them, nor did he desire to send them disheartened and with a broken heart. He lifted his hands and prayed,
“O Allah! Make amends for their and their mother’s heart.”
Suddenly Jibra’eel descended with two white dresses among the dresses of Paradise. The Prophet was overjoyed and said,
“O Masters of the youth of Paradise! Take these dresses which have been stitched by the tailor (from Allah) according to your sizes.”
Both the Imams saw that the dresses were white in color and hence said,
“O Grandfather! These are of white color, how can we wear it, when the children of Arabs have worn colorful clothes”?
The Prophet (S) put his head down and started thinking about it when Jibra’eel said,
“O Muhammad (S)! Rejoice and cool your eyes. The powerful dyer of the Divine color will fulfill their desire and make them happy by those colors which they desire. Hence O Prophet, do order that a ewer and vessel be brought.”
A vessel was brought and Jibra’eel said, “O Prophet of Allah! I shall pour water over these dresses and you wring them until the desired color appears. The Prophet soaked the dress of Imam Hasan (a.s.) and said,
“Which color do you desire”?
Imam Hasan (a.s.) replied that he preferred the green color, to which the Prophet rubbed the dress with his own hands which turned into bright green color similar to emeralds, by the will and command of Allah. He then handed it over to Imam Hasan (a.s.) who wore it. Then Jibra’eel took another dress and started pouring water in the vessel. The Prophet then turned towards Imam Husayn (a.s.), who was of five years of age at that time, and asked,
“O light of my eyes! Which color do you desire”?
To which Husayn replied that he preferred the red color. The Prophet again rubbed the dress with his own blessed hands and it turned into bright red color similar to rubies. He then handed it over to Imam Husayn (a.s.) who wore it too. The Holy Prophet and both Imams were overjoyed and they returned back to their mother. When Jibra’eel saw this he started weeping. The Prophet said,
“O brother Jibra’eel! This is not the day to mourn, when my sons are rejoicing and are happy. By Allah! Please let me know the reason for your grief.”
Jibra’eel replied, “I mourn because your sons have selected one color each. As regards your son Hasan, he will be poisoned and because of it’s effect his body will turn green. And as regards your other son Husayn, be will be killed by swords and his head severed, while his body will be smeared with red blood.” Hearing this the Prophet started weeping and his sorrow increased.
Reference : Nafasul Mahmoom – Shaikh abbas Qummi (r.a.)