Fatwa ID: 07914
Answered by Aalimah Khadija Tarwala
Question:
Salam I have heard that majority of scholars said that its makruh for unmarried women to apply henna so my question is (ACCORDING TO THEM) would applying olive oil be makruh since it prevents and removes premature wrinkles and helps skin in many more ways making it more beautiful. How about applying natural remedies and oils for scalp hair growth or healthy hair growth or for hairloss or just to keep hair healthy or, how about applying ithmid for eyelashes to grow how about applying aloe vera to get rid of sun tan on skin and for clean skin or how about face cleanser scrubs for clean skin. Do these thing also fall in the same category to be makru for unmarried women.
Pls note I’m asking if according to those scholars who say its makru to apply henna for unmarried women and also I’m not trying to adore myself I just want to fix myself my natural beauty like sun tan and hair fall and more ,and I want to get married and Im talking about original beauty not altering anything.
Pls reply I’m worried from too many days and confused
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Walaykum asalaam,
Using natural remedies like olive oil and aloe vera for health and beauty is generally permissible in Islam, if it is done with the intention of maintaining health and not to attract unnecessary attention. There is no issue with applying olive oil for skin benefits or using aloe vera for tanning as these are all meant for personal well-being, not vanity.
Allah’s Messenger said (Allah bless him and give him peace): ‘Eat [olive] oil, and anoint with it, for it is from a blessed tree! (Ash-Shama’il Al-Muhammadiyah 156).’
Also, it is known that the Prophet used kohl (ithmid) for its benefits. The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said, “One of the best kinds of kohl that you use is Ithmid (antimony); it brightens the vision and makes the hair (eyelashes) grow.” (Sunan an-Nasa’i 5113)
As for the general guidance in Islam, taking care of oneself is encouraged:
يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًۭا يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَٰتِكُمْ وَرِيشًۭا ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ.
‘We have provided for you clothing to cover your nakedness and as an adornment.’ (Quran 7:26).
‘Rish refers to the outer adornments used for purposes of beautification. (Tafisr Ibn Kathir)’
In conclusion, using natural oils and remedies with the intention of improving health is permissible, if modesty is maintained.
Only Allah knows best.
Written by Aalimah Khadija Tarwala.
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah.
Darul Ifta Birmingham.
References
أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ إِنَّ مِنْ خَيْرِ أَكْحَالِكُمُ الإِثْمِدَ إِنَّهُ يَجْلُو الْبَصَرَ وَيُنْبِتُ الشَّعَرَ. Sunan an-Nasa’i 5113
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم كُلُوا الزَّيْتَ وَادَّهِنُوا بِهِ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْ شَجَرَةٍ مُبَارَكَة. Ash-Shama’il Al-Muhammadiyah 156
يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًۭا يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَٰتِكُمْ وَرِيشًۭا ۖ وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ. Surah Al-A’raf 7:26
ثم تلا هذه الآية: “وَرِيَاشًا” ولم يقرأ: “وَرِيشًا” – (وَلِبَاسُ التَّقْوَى ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ ذَلِكَ مِنْ آيَاتِ اللَّهِ) قال: “السمت الحسن”
تفسير ابن كثير – ابن كثير، ج 3: ص
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