['Aalim Network QR] Cosmetics

[Mustafa Rawji <mrawji@sciborg.uwaterloo.ca>]

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|       In the Name of Allah, the Compassionate, the All-Merciful       |\
|  Greeting of Allah be upon Muhammad and the pure members of his House |\
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Salaamun alaykum,

	The answer to the following question on cosmetics was kindly
provided by Shaykh Mustafa Jaffer. 

Wasalaam,

Mustafa Rawji
Acting Moderator, 'Aalim Network


QUESTIONS:

Salamun alaikum.

Please answer the following questions according to the risalas of
Ayats. Rohani or Sistani.

Q1. Is the wearing of nail polish allowed for muslim women (in 
public)?

ANSWER:

In itself, nail polish for women cannot be haraam. However, if used during
wudhu and it causes an impediment to water flowing to the fingernails, then
it is not allowed during wudhu. Moreover, if the nail polish can be an
attraction to non-mahram, then it becomes Haraam.

When you say in public - If it is among women only, of course there is no
objection. But if there are men other than her immediate relatives (i.e.
husband, father brother and son), then she cannot wear the nail polish.


Q2. What is the ruling on wearing cosmetics (in public)? If a person
always uses them (in moderation), so they become a part of the
general appearance of the woman, do they fall under the category of
'ma dhahara menha'?

ANSWER:

'Ma dhahara menha'(literally meaning 'what emanates from her [natural]
self' is the manifestation of natural beauty only. The use of cosmetics,
however moderate it may be, is still an addition to the natural features of
a person. 

The use of cosmetics for a woman is limited to:
a) For her husband
b) When she is among other women
c) When she is among men who she cannot marry - brother, father and son.

In any case other than the three above, the use of cosmetics to enhance
beauty will be haraam

Wallaahu A'alam

Mustafa Jaffer


May Allah (SWT) reward you for your efforts.