"Muslim Armies of the Arab Conquest- what did they look like?" Topic

I'm doing a 15mm Arab Conquest (630-@700) using largely Forged in Battle miniatures.

My reading indicates that the Arab forces were relatively poor and simply equipped. For instance, near contemporary sources depict the Arab invaders as simple and simply dressed compared to the finery of their Persian (Sassanid) opponents.

So i was thinking the Muslims would be in various shades of undyed, unbleached fabirics, relatively drab.

But when i google for examples of 15mm armies every body seems to paint their Atabs in bright colors with elaborate patterns.

What's the most historically plausible way to paint them?

Thanks.

Bear in mind that the peninsular Arabs, particularly the coastal ones, made part of their living from trade. Many dyestuffs would be available to them at what might be thought of as wholesale prices or that had 'fallen off the back of a camel'.

Simple clothing yes, drab, possibly not.

Many years ago Sam Mustafa commented on this, His thought was something like if one could afford it they would have worn white against closet to their body.

link – the first two colour plates, one of which is the cover.

PDF link – the first chapter is about clothing in the time of the Prophet and the early Caliphs.

Many years ago Sam Mustafa commented on this, His thought was something like if one could afford it they would have worn white against closet to their body.

I don't understand the last bit?

I think "closet" really means closest to their body.

White clothing is much cooler in the hot sun than colored or black clothing.

I think in this case the significance of the color white is in relation to the burial in white clothing in Muslim tradition.

Muslim chroniclers make a point of recording that Alp Arslan donned white clothing to serve in his burial in the event that he was killed in the battle of Manzikert.