Women in the Islam

Woman, in her search for the most beautiful through clothes, shoes, hijab, jewels and make-up too, will often face self-questioning or receive reminder from others, about discretion and outrageous beautification. By the way, we speak about women, but it could be judicious to precise that this is about men too, with his own ornament.

 « We have certainly created man in the best of stature » (Surah 95 – verse 4)

This verse refers to this notion of perfection that we could link with beauty. There is nothing wrong in wanting to reach this perfection and this beauty. As far as women are concerned, there is a difference between beautification at home and outside. How can the distinction be made between allowed and forbidden, in private and in public?

Make up in private an in public

Cheikh Mouhammed Patel answered that being attracted by beautification is a natural feature oh human being. He says, however, that some limits exist about this. It is known that tattoos are forbidden, as well as eyebrows plucking or the use of hair extensions. These acts are considered as a change of God’s creation. As far as make-up is concerned, many hadiths remind the use of kohl and henna by the Prophet’s (saws) wives. But all other kind of make up – and we know that every day new products and new varieties arrive – are allowed but only in private, at home, if the woman is alone or with her husband and her family. Cheikh Mouhamed Patel says that the presence of stranger men make the use of make-up illicit since it is considered as an excess of beautification. He mentions Cheikh Qaradâwi who says :

« (…) Leaving her face uncovered for a woman does not mean she can cover it with coloured blush (or other make-up). And leaving her hands uncovered dos not mean she can let her nails grow and then colour them with nail polish. When she gets out, she must have a modest and chaste attitude, with no excessive ornament. What has been allowed to her is light beautification (« as Zînat al khafîfah ») as reported by Ibnou Abbâs and others, that means kohl on the eyes and rings on fingers. »

Nail polish issue

As far as nail polish is concerned, opinions of various scholars show that there is nothing wrong, once again, to search beautification. Women often wears nail-polish during her periods and never do outside these times so that she can make ablutions, since varieties existing are not permeable. Some years ago, O2M nail polish - with same permeability features as in the products we sell – caused a sensation because it were the first permeable one on the market. Questions began in the United States; a Muslim scholar tested this product with a coffee filter. This is the more common test to judge substance permeability. The result enabled him to say that O2M nail polish was in accordance with Islamic law. However, the issue about where the nail polish will be wore, and the choice of the colour, still remains: is it going to be an eye-catcher in public?

In fine, it is sure that every one is free to decide about the appearance she wants to have. But a reminder is always useful to indicate the recommendations. Let’s remind that beauty of heart matters a lot with behaviour and language, beyond physical beauty… May God guide us on this path.

Ameen