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Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics

Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The


Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 1 of 35



SCHOL ARL Y RUL I NGS ON
Cosmetics
FOR WOMEN

Questions & Answers in Arabic and English

Abd al-Azz Ibn Bz ................................................................................................................ 2
FACI AL COSMETI CS ..................................................................................................... 2
EYES ............................................................................................................................. 7
FI NGERNAI LS ................................................................................................................ 9
Muammad Ibn li al-'Uthaymn ........................................................................................15
FACI AL COSMETI CS ....................................................................................................15
EYES ............................................................................................................................18
LI PS ..............................................................................................................................19
HANDS & FI NGERNAI LS ..............................................................................................21
The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research & Fatw .............................................24
FACI AL COSMETI CS ....................................................................................................24
EYES ............................................................................................................................30
LI PS ..............................................................................................................................33
HANDS & FI NGERNAI LS ..............................................................................................34



Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 2 of 35

Abdul-Azz Ibn Bz

FACI AL COSMETI CS

Question 1:


Is wearing makeup or other things by women to beautify ones face forbidden or
not, specifically if she must sit with non-relative men?

Answer 1:






.
There is nothing wrong if she uses makeup or similar things by which the face is
beautified or decorated as long as it does not harm the face. But if ones face
suffers some harmful ailment or blotching, then it is not permissible. So as long
as makeup or similar things by which the face is beautified or made more radiant
do not harm the face, then there is nothing wrong. However, she must cover it

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 3 of 35

when she is with non-relative men; it is not permissible for her to show her face
to such men even if there was no makeup on it. She must cover her face and
conceal it, observe the ijb. This (wearing makeup) is simply a form or
beautification for her husband or with other women or male-relatives. As for non-
relatives, no (she should not show her face) even if there is no form of
beautification on it.
1


Question 2:

.
I ask about the ruling of using lots of cosmetics that are applied to all different
parts of the face.

Answer 2:






.

1
This answer, at the time of translation, is found at the official website of 'Abd al-'Azz Ibn Bz at:
http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/8888.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 4 of 35

There is no problem with makeup as long it is something that does not change
the creation of Allah such as henna, kohl for the eyes, lipstick applied to the lips
and similar things. Common things which contain nothing of sin or impurity can
be used and there is nothing wrong with it. A woman beautifying herself among
other women or for her husband is no problem as long as it is nothing forbidden
such as tattooing which is not allowed as the messenger cursed the tattooist and
the one requesting the tattoo. Things like trimming or plucking the eyebrows are
wrong as is applying something that contains impurities which are impermissible
to use. So as long as she uses something permissible like kohl, lipstick, or other
permissible things then there is no sin in it.
2


Question 3:


:
.
I read in a book entitled Jurisprudence for the Muslim Woman that cosmetics a
Muslim woman may apply to her face such as red lipstick, facial creams or
powders are considered forbidden. The author says such actions fall under the
statement of Allahs messenger ( ), Those who change Allahs
creation
3
(and are forbidden) because the word curse occurs at the beginning
of the adth.

2
This answer is at: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/11069.
3
Perhaps the questioner is referring to the adth in a al-Bukhr in which the prophet (
) said:

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 5 of 35


Answer 3:







.
That is not correct. It is wrong and that (i.e. using cosmetics) is not changing the
creation of Allah. They are similar to henna or kohl and there is no sin in using
them. If a woman applies henna or kohl or cleans her face with some type of
soap or other facial cleansers, there is nothing wrong with any of this. Similarly,
powders or lipstick there is no sin in this if Allah wills. They are not means of
changing Allahs creation. Changing the creation of Allah is by practices like
tattooing or hair weaves which is forbidden as it is similar to hair extensions or
wigs these are means which are evil. As for a woman applying something to
her lips such as lipstick or kohl to the eyes or other means of beautifying her
face, there is no sin in any of this.
4



Allah curses the women who practice tattooing, those who request tattoos, those who remove
facial hair, and those who artificially make gaps between their teeth in order to beautify
themselves whereby they change Allahs creation.
4
This answer is at: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/18418.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 6 of 35


Question 4:



Regarding cosmetics women use, do you advise us to continue using them or to
stay away from them, especially if wearing certain types affects ones wu
(ablution) because some types of cosmetics, when put on nails for example, are
difficult to remove?

Answer 4:




.
There are some necessary details related to cosmetics. If it is an impenetrable
coating substance such as what is put on fingernails then it should be avoided; it
is not good to use. If she does use such types, then it must be removed when
making wu. It should be taken off when making wu because it blocks the
water (preventing it from reaching the skin surface). Similarly, if it is a type that
causes reactions to ones face such as blotching or other (facial) illness, then it

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 7 of 35

must avoided. As for things that do no harm such as kohl or applying coloring or
lipstick to ones lips, there is no problem with that.



.
The point is that it should be a form of beautification that is not harmful, forbidden
or sinful such as kohl, decorating the lips with colors or lipstick as has been
mentioned, or coloring the hands and feet with henna there is no problem with
this. Anything that causes harmful reactions to the face or prevents wu water
from reaching the surface of the skin should be removed. Anything that is harmful
to the face should not be used, may Allah reward you with good.
5


EYES

Question 5:

What is the ruling of applying kohl to the eyebrows as a means of beautification
for a woman?

Answer 5:

5
This answer is at: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/10824.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 8 of 35



.
I do not know that there is anything wrong with it. Kohl applied to the eyebrows or
eyelids there is nothing wrong with it. What is forbidden is plucking or trimming
the eyebrows; this is not permissible. Removing the hair is not allowed, but as for
her applying kohl to them, there is no problem.
6


Question 6:

Does kohl prevent water from reaching the surface of the skin when making
wu?

Answer 6:




.
It does not prevent it because it is a type of dye that does not block water just like
henna is for hands. If what is applied is a kind of impermeable substance that
prevents water, then the substance must be removed. If there is some

6
This answer is at: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/18557.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 9 of 35

compacted solid substance made from henna or kohl, it should be removed when
making wu. As for the mere presence of the black color of kohl or the red of
henna or the like, this does not block (water from skin). Henna does not block
water from the hands or feet, and kohl on the eyes does not block water when
making wu because it is simply a visible color and not a solid substance.
7


FI NGERNAI LS

Question 7:

42
What is the ruling of letting ones nails grow long then putting nail polish on them,
knowing that I make wu before applying it and leave it on for twenty-four hours
then remove it?

Answer 7:

. : . :

: (
: )

7
This answer is at: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/16655.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 10 of 35

.
.
Letting ones nails grow long contradicts the Sunnah. It is authentically reported
that the prophet ( ) said:

:

Pure human nature includes five things: circumcision, removing pubic hair,
trimming the moustache, clipping the nails, and plucking underarm hair.
8


It is impermissible for us to leave doing any of these for more than forty nights
based on the narration of Anas ( ) that he said, The messenger of Allah
( ) told us the time period regarding trimming the moustache,
clipping the nails, plucking the armpit hairs and shaving the pubic region; we
should not leave any of that for more than forty nights. Also, letting the nails
grow long is a manner of resembling animals and some of the disbelieving
women. As for nail polish, it is better to avoid it. It must be removed when making
wu because it prevents water from reaching the fingernail.
9


Question 8:
:


8
Collected by al-Bukhr and Muslim.
9
This answer is at: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/2291.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 11 of 35

What is the ruling of paining ones fingernails with the black dye known as dj or
nail polish; is it permissible or not?

Answer 8:

..





. .
With the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Bestower of Mercy. All praise is for
Allah and may peace be upon Allahs messenger, his family and companions,
and upon those who follow his guidance. To proceed: There is no sin in painting
ones nails with black and no harm in it whether it is nail polish or some other
type of coloring. However, henna is better than nail polish. It is best to avoid nail
polish. But if a woman does use it, she must remove it when making wu
because it is an impermeable substance from what we have been told. So she
must remove it before wu in order to not prevent water from reaching her
nails. Likewise, if she applies to her nails some other solid substance, it should
be removed when making wu so that water reaches the surface of the nails.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 12 of 35

There is nothing wrong with painting (nails) regardless whether it is with black,
red, or henna. There is no problem with it, may Allah bless you.
10


Question 9:

.
Pertaining to nail polish, I heard that if a woman applies it to her nails while in a
state of purity, it is permissible for her to pray even if wu is broken afterwards
(and she makes wu while wearing it). So we would like the correct answer,
may Allah bless you.

Answer 9:
...






:

10
This answer is at: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/18533.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 13 of 35


.
As long as the substance applied to the nails is not solid, impermeable such as
henna which is not a solid substance, then there is no harm in it
11
if she dips
her fingers in henna and it has no solid substance or similar things like oils, there
is no harm. If she makes wu, loses her purity, then repeats wu while
wearing such things, there is no harm. However, if the substance applied to the
nail is solid and impermeable such as nail polish or similar things, it must be
removed. When she wants to make wu, she must take this off her nails
because it prevents water from reaching her nails. It must be removed just as if
she had some sort of paste or clay on her arms which must be removed. If
similar substances were on her feet or face, it should first be washed off. The
fingernails are similar in that if something solid or impermeable is on them such
as thick paste, nail polish, a piece of henna that has mass (e.g. in block or paste
form), or similar substances, it should be removed. As for the mere color such as
the dyed trace of henna on her fingernails such that it leaves a yellowish or
reddish tint or other dyes, there is no harm in that because such traces are not
solid and impermeable.
12


Question 10:

What is the ruling of applying nail polish and wearing it for the period of all five
obligatory prayers and then taking it off; is that permissible?

11
Since this answer was taken from the website of Ibn Bz, perhaps the original audio recording was
indecipherable when transcribing so this part was left out, and Allah knows best.
12
This answer is at: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/11144.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 14 of 35


Answer 10:






.
There is no basis for this. It is not the same as wiping over ones socks without
taking them off for the period of five prayers. That time period is specified for
socks in which it is permissible to wipe over them. As for nail polish, it should not
be left on. If it is applied, it should be removed, washed off when making wu.
Henna is sufficient without having to use nail polish. It is simply a means for
people to imitate non-Muslims or following the customs of disbelievers. Nail
polish is just like its name
13
and there is no need for it. But if she does apply it, it
should be removed for wu. She should not make wu over it because it
prevents water from touching the surface of the nails because it is impermeable
so it should be removed when making wu.
14


13
Perhaps the scholar is alluding to a linguistic resemblance in that an Arabic word commonly used for
nail polish is (similar to manicure) and from the root of those Arabic letters is derived the word
(often translated as evil). Or perhaps the scholar is making reference to the Arabic word
(the passive participle of often translated as deniable), the plural of which would be , and
Allah knows best.
14
This answer is at: http://www.binbaz.org.sa/mat/4316.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 15 of 35



Muammad Ibn li al-'Uthaymn

FACI AL COSMETI CS

Question 11:


Is it permissible for a woman to use manufactured makeup for her husband? And
is it permissible for her to wear it among her family and other Muslim women?

Answer 11:



.
A woman beautifying herself for her husband, within religious legitimate limits, is
something she should do. Anytime a woman makes herself more beautiful for her
husband, it helps to increase his love for her and harmony between them, and
this one of the purposes of religious legislation. So if makeup helps her look
prettier without harming her, there is nothing wrong with it, no sin in it.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 16 of 35


.

.
However, I have heard that makeup damages facial skin thereby unattractively
changing ones complexion after a while as she ages. I hope women would ask
doctors to confirm that. If it is confirmed, wearing makeup would then be
forbidden or at least disliked because anything that results in a form of (bodily)
mutilation or disfigurement is either forbidden or disliked.
15


Question 12:

What is the ruling of women wearing makeup to beautify themselves for their
husbands?

Answer 12:


( )



15
This answer and the rest of those by Ibn al-'Uthaymn are taken from a book entitled Questions of
Interest to the Muslim Family which is published, at the time of translation, on the Ibn al-'Uthaymn
Charitable Foundation website at: http://www.ibnothaimeen.com/all/books/article_16956.shtml.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 17 of 35



.

.
Any of these types of beautification a woman may use to make herself prettier,
there is nothing wrong with them as long as they do not harm her. This is
because the ruling of something is that it is allowed unless and until proof is
established forbidding it. However, I hear these powders (cosmetics) leave
lasting effects on a womans skin, causing skin changes after only a short time.
This is apparent because usually reactions, as they say, can be sensed as well
as perceived. So as long as it is proven beyond any doubt that there is no harm
in a woman using it (makeup), then there is nothing wrong with it. It is a way of
bringing about a husbands desire for his wife thereby making her even more
beloved to him, especially if he is the type of spouse who is concerned with such
things. Spouses are different. Some husbands may simply be indifferent to a
woman beautifying herself with such types of adornment while other husbands
may be obsessed with these things. As for women beautifying themselves
among other women when they visit one another, there is nothing wrong with that
as long as it is within religiously permissible limits.

Question 13:


Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 18 of 35

Is it permissible for a single woman to wear makeup and to do so among other
women?

Answer 13:

.
.
Single women, according to some people of knowledge, should not beautify
herself because she is not required to do so. So what I believe is that unmarried
women should avoid it. As for married women, the ruling of it (wearing makeup)
has preceded.

EYES

Question 14:

What is the ruling of women using kohl?

Answer 14:
:
:

.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 19 of 35

:
.

.
There are two purposes for kohl:
1. Kohl is used to enhance ones eyesight by reducing glare and to keep the eye
clean and clear of debris regardless of the beauty aspect of it, and there is
nothing wrong with this. In fact, one should do this because the prophet (
) used to put kohl around his eyes especially if he had antimony
(the element mineral from which kohl is made).
2. The second use for kohl is for the purpose of beautification and adornment.
As for women, it is necessary for them to beautify themselves for their
husbands. And as for men, this is an issue of scholarly opinions, and as for
me, I remain silent about it. Some differentiate between young menthey
forbidding them from applying kohl fearing it may be a means of temptation
and older men for whom there is no worry of temptation so they do not forbid
older men from using it.

LI PS

Question 15:

What is the ruling of lipstick and makeup for women?


Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 20 of 35

Answer 15:


.
There is nothing wrong with reddening the lips because originally things (not
religious in nature) are permissible until a clear prohibition is known. As for this
reddening (of the lips), there is nothing clearly established for one to claim it is a
form of tattooing. Tattooing is inserting colors under the skin and that is
impermissible; in fact it is a major sin.


.
But if it turns out that reddening damages the lips, drying them out, removing
(their necessary) moisture and oils, then in this case it would not be allowed. I
was told that perhaps it causes cracked lips. If this is confirmed, people are not
allowed to do something that causes them harm.



.
As for makeup, we do not allow it. Although it does temporarily beautify ones
face, it also greatly damages it as is medically proven. As a woman grows older,
her skin begins changing in such a way that neither makeup nor anything else

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 21 of 35

will help (prevent that). Therefore, we advise women not to use it because of the
proven damage that results from it.

HANDS & FI NGERNAI LS

Answer 16:
16

( )






.
It is appropriate that I mention here what women put on their fingernails known
as nail polish which creates a hard coating. This is not permissible for a woman
to use when she is praying because it prevents water (from reaching the surface
of the skin) when washing. Anything that blocks water is not permissible to wear
when making wu or ghul (a full bath or shower) because Allah says:


Wash your faces and hands
17


16
This was actually a continuation of Ibn al-'Uthaymns first answer (no. 11 of this translation) but it was
placed in this section for ease of reference.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 22 of 35


If there is nail polish on the fingernails, that would prevent water from reaching
the skin, thereby making her washing of her hands incomplete since she would
not be fulfilling one of the requirements of wu or ghul. As for a woman who is
not praying, there is no sin upon her to wear it (nail polish) unless it were an
action specifically characteristic of disbelieving women. It would be impermissible
in that case because it would be imitation of them.

Question 17:
.

What is the ruling of women dyeing their hands with henna? Did the prophet
( ) mention anything about this? And what is the ruling if one
includes the palm of the hands (in applying henna) and not just the fingernails?

Answer 17:


.
.
Dyeing hands with henna, which women are known to do customarily as a
means of decorating them, if it is a means of beautification for a woman then it is
necessary for her to beautify herself for her husband regardless of whether the

17
The Quran, Srah al-Midah (5:6).

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 23 of 35

fingernails are included or not. As for a woman wearing nail polish who is not on
her menses, this is impermissible because it prevents water from reaching the
surface of the skin when making wu unless she first removes it when making
wu.




Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 24 of 35

The Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research & Fatw

As a forward to a particular answer (in reply to a question not specifically relevant
to this translated work), The Permanent Committee responded with a nice, concise yet
comprehensive, encouragement for spouses to beautify themselves:



Both spouses should beautify themselves for the other in what they love, thereby
strengthening the relationship between them yet within limits the law of Islam has made
permissible and not forbidden.
18


FACI AL COSMETI CS

Question 18:

What is the ruling of wearing makeup for ones husband?

Answer 18:

. .
There is no sin in it as long as it causes no facial ailment. It is simply a means of
beautification so there is no problem just like using soap or similar things.
19


18
This answer of The Permanent Committee can be found here at the official website of The General
Presidency of Scholarly Research and Ifta.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 25 of 35


Question 19:

Is it permissible for a woman to wear makeup on her face in front of male
relatives?

Answer 19:
.
It is permissible for her to do that to beautify herself for her husband, and it is
permissible for her to appear wearing it in front of her male relatives.
20


Question 20:




.

You find some young women who have never been married (virgins) using
means of beautification like makeup. They apply it to their faces so those with a
brownish complexion appear lighter while others with a whitish complexion use
makeup to appear darker. She may apply kohl with an eye-pencil heavily around

19
This answer can be found, at the time of translation, here.
20
This answer can be found here.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 26 of 35

her eyes in such a way as to be seen by those far away. Or she may cut her hair
from the front in order to beautify it, or if it is long she may cut it up to her
shoulders. Please advise us, is it correct to practice such things or not? Is the
one responsible for her, if he witnesses that, does he incur sin or is that
permissible?

Answer 20:


.
There is no objection to a woman beautifying herself by wearing makeup or kohl
on her face or styling her hair in a manner that is not in imitation of disbelieving
women. It must also be with the condition that she covers her face from men who
are not her relatives.
21


Question 21:

Is it permissible for a woman to pray while adorned with gold (jewelry) and
makeup?

Answer 21:



21
This answer is here.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 27 of 35


.

.
.
Yes, she may pray while adorned with gold, beautiful clothes, and makeup as
long as the makeup is clean and pure containing nothing impure; there is no sin
in that case. According to us, she may (still) pray with humility and turning to
Allah ( ). Allah ( ) says in His great book:


Children of Adam, take your adornment at every place of prayer.
22


A believer is religiously and legitimately allowed to pray at mosques while
adorned in nice clothes, in a nice turban. Likewise, if a woman prays wearing
beautiful clothing, there is no sin as long as she is concealed from non-relative
men. As long as there are no non-relative men with her, there is no sin if she
prays wearing it. Makeup too is a form of adornment and beautification for the
face as long as it does no harm to it. If she applies something to her face
intended to enhance its beauty as long as it causes no ailment there is no
problem.
23


22
The Quran, Srah al-Arf (7:31).
23
This answer can be found here.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 28 of 35


Question 22:


What is the ruling of applying makeup after wu; does makeup break wu?
And is it permissible to delay the prayer if I am busy putting on makeup?

Answer 22:




.
Makeup is a means for women to beautify themselves and it is allowed for them
to use it as long as it does not contain any impermissible ingredients. The
purpose should be for a woman to make herself prettier for her husband or
among a gathering of other women. This is not considered something that breaks
wu. Often makeup contains no solid-mass substances, meaning when the
time for prayer comes in, you make wu for prayer and then pray. However, if
there is some solid, impermeable substance in the makeup that would prevent
water from reaching the skin, then it must be removed before wu.



Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 29 of 35


.

. .
As for delaying prayer, it is impermissible to do so for any reason. A Muslim is
obliged to perform prayer in its proper time under all circumstances, even in
sickness. Putting on makeup does not justify delaying prayer past its time.
Whoever does that is sinful and perhaps subjected to punishment, so repentance
to Allah would then be required. Allah ( ) says:

.
But there came after them successors who neglected prayer and pursued
desires; so they are going to meet evil.
24


The Salaf mentioned that this verse pertains to the person who delays the prayer
until the time to pray it runs out.
25


Question 23:


Does makeup prevent water (from touching the skin) during wu, meaning
must we remove this makeup during each wu?

24
The Quran, Srah Maryam (19:59).
25
This answer can be found in Arabic here.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 30 of 35


Answer 23:



.
If the makeup has a solid mass that blocks water, then it should be removed. If it
has no solid, impermeable substance in that it is simply a type of dye (i.e.
changing only the complexion tint, color) with no actual solid mass, then it does
not have to be removed. So if it contains a solid that blocks water, it must be
removed from the face. Similarly, if there is something like paste on the hands it
should be removed. As for a substance that is merely a type of dye with no solid
mass it does not have to be taken off.
26


EYES

Question 24:
:
: .
Many women from Egypt apply kohl to their eyes. I told them that wearing it just
for beautification is forbidden and they replied that rather, it is Sunnah. Is this
correct?


26
This answer can be found online here.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 31 of 35

Answer 24:

.

.
Using kohl is religiously legitimate but it is impermissible for a woman to show
anything of her adornment whether it be kohl or anything else to anyone
other than her husband or male relatives based on the statement of Allah ( ):

.

.
And they should not display their adornment except to their husbands
27


Question 25:


What is the ruling of women applying kohl and other cosmetics during the
daytime in Ramadan? Does that break ones fast or not?

Answer 25:

.


27
The Quran, Srah al-Nr (23:31). The answer is online here.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 32 of 35


. .
Kohl does not break the fast for women or men according to the more correct
opinion of the scholars. Still, it is better to use it at night for someone fasting.
Similar to this are other means of beautifying the face such as types of soaps,
oils, or other things that are applied externally to the surface of the skin. Included
in this is henna, makeup, and similar things. There is no sin in any of this for
someone fasting although one should not use makeup if it causes any facial
ailment. And success is granted by Allah.
28


Question 26:
:

.

.
There are some types of beauty accessories readily available in our shopping
malls that women wear or apply to their fingers or eyes such as fake nails, false
eyelashes, and colored lenses to change ones eye color. Due to frequent
questions about such accessories and their wide use among women, I hope this
issue is presented to his eminence, the noble father, so that we may be guided
by what he sees fit, may Allah preserve him and grant you His success.


28
This question and answer is in Arabic online.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 33 of 35

Answer 26:


.
It is impermissible to use fake nails, false eyelashes, and colored contact lenses
due to the harm they may cause to the different parts of the body and also due to
them being forms of trickery and deception (in appearance) and changing of
Allahs creation.
29


LI PS

Question 27:


Does lipstick, when applied to the lips, prevent water from reaching them when
making wu, and is using it forbidden?

Answer 27:


.

29
This fatw is in Arabic online.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 34 of 35

Lipsticks and lip colorings and similar things do not block water and there is no
sin in that unless there is some solid substance in it that does prevent water
such as nail polish and similar things for fingernails then it must be removed
when making wu. As for just the red coloring such as the reddish tint of henna
or lip colors, there is no harm in that as it does not block water.
30


HANDS & FI NGERNAI LS

Question 28:

.
Is using henna, without a legitimate excuse to do so, permissible or not? Some
people dye their hands or feet with henna; is that permissible if it is done for no
legitimate need? Please advise me, may Allah reward you.

Answer 28:




.
Dyeing with henna is permissible for women because it is a form of decoration
and beautification for them and they do have a purpose for that. As for men

30
This answer is online here.

Title: Scholarly Rulings on Cosmetics
Authors: Ibn Bz, Ibn al-Uthaymn, The
Permanent Committee of Saudi Arabia

Page 35 of 35

wearing henna (on hands or feet), that is not permitted because it is a way of
imitating women and the prophet ( ) forbade that.
31
However, it
would be allowed for men to use henna for medicinal purposes to soothe some
types of ailments if they would benefit from that. Similarly, it is religiously
legitimate for both men and women to use it (henna) to dye gray hair as long as
the color is not specifically black because black is not permissible to color gray
hair.
32





31
Ibn Abbs ( ) said, as is recorded in a al-Bukhr:


The messenger of Allah ( ) cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men.

32
This answer is online here.

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