Do's and Don'ts for women in Islam

Using cosmetics such as lipstick and blusher is OK, especially for a married woman.”
Fataawa Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen,
part 2, p. 828 .

 

If a woman does not appear wearing that in front of strange men (non-mahrams) and it does not contain
any impure substances such as pig extracts, and it is not harmful to the skin, then it is permissible, especially in order to beautify oneself for one’s husband. The basic principle concerning adornments is that they
are permissible. And Allaah knows best.

Islam Q&A Sheikh Muhammed Salih
Al-Munajjid

On wearing false lashes

It is haraam for a woman to wear false eyelashes because they come under the heading of hair extensions, for which the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed those who do that. 

Al-Bukhaari (5205) and Muslim (2123) narrated from ‘Aa’ishah that a girl from among the Ansaar got married and she became sick and her hair fell out. They wanted to give her hair extensions, so they asked the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about that, and he cursed the one who fixes hair extensions and the one who has that done. 

Women wearing wigs

 

Humayd ibn ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn ‘Awf reported that he heard Mu’aawiyah ibn Abi Sufyaan at the time of Hajj, standing on the minbar and holding a piece of hair that had been seized by his guards, saying: “Where are your scholars? I heard the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) forbidding this kind of thing and saying that Bani Israa’eel were destroyed when their women started to use such things.” Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah has cursed the woman who adds false hair and the woman who has this done, and the woman who tattoos and the women who has this done.” (Reported by al-Bukhaari, 5477). And Allaah knows best.
Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Women/Girls wearing pants

 

Muslim woman have to wear clothes that will conceal the body and her ‘awrah outdoors, by wearing clothes that do not show the skin, as see-through clothes do, and do not show the shape of the body, as tight clothes do. Pants or trousers are clothes that show the shape of a woman’s body and ‘awrah, so for this reason it is not permissible for women to wear pants, unless she wears over them a wide or loose shirt. One of the aims of Islam is protect people’s ‘awrahs and avoid uncovering them, because taking this matter lightly is one of the means of falling into that which Allaah has forbidden, namely zina (fornication, adultery) and the things that lead to it. The Muslim woman has to adhere to the Islamic etiquette in the way she dresses, moves and speaks. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies”

[al-Ahzaab 33:59]

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment ... And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And all of you beg Allaah to forgive you all, O believers, that you may be successful”[al-Noor 24:31]

And Allah knows best./islamqa

Women uncovering their hands in front of vendors … a wrong action!!!

 Many women who go out to the markets to buy things from shopkeepers uncover their hands. Some others uncover both the hand and forearm. This happens in front of people who are not their mahrams. What is the ruling on that? 

 

Undoubtedly, for women to uncover their hands or forearms in the marketplace is a wrong action and a cause of fitnah (temptation), especially since some of these women wear rings on their fingers and bracelets on their wrists. Allaah says to the believing women (interpretation of the meaning):

“And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment” [al-Noor 24:31] 

So that they might have a share of this great wisdom:

“Allaah wishes only to remove Ar Rijs (evil deeds and sins) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification” [al-Ahzaab 33:33] 

I advise the believing men whom Allaah has appointed as qawwaamoon (in charge) over women to fulfil the trust which Allaah has placed on their shoulders and given them responsibility over these women. So they should advise them and teach them, and prevent causes of fitnah. They will be asked about that when they meet their Lord, so let them think of how they will respond.

“On the Day when every person will be confronted with all the good he has done, and all the evil he has done, he will wish that there were a great distance between him and his evil. And Allaah warns you against Himself (His punishment) and Allaah is full of kindness to (His) slaves” [Aal ‘Imraan 3:30]

I ask Allaah to reform the Muslims, men and women alike.

From the fatwas of Shaykh Muhammad ibn Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen

 

Ruling on piercing a woman's nose so that she can wear jewellery there.

The ruling on putting a ring in a woman’s nose is that it is permissible, because the nose is pierced for the purpose of adornment and not for the purpose of harming or changing the creation of Allaah.

And Allaah is the source of strength. They Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and Companions. End quote.

Standing Committee on Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah li’l-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wa’l-Ifta’ (24/36).

 

Women wearing anklets

Is it allowed for women to wear gold in the legs in the form of an anklet?

Praise be to Allaah.

It is permissible for women to wear anklets on their legs for the purpose of beautification, but they should not shake them in front of non-mahram men to attract attention to them, as Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment”

[al-Noor 24:31]

Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/469

Conditions of Muslim woman’s hijaab

Being a Muslim Woman,how must they wear their attire to say that she is a muslim woman.  

The scholars have based the conditions of the hijaab (covering) which Muslim women must wear in front of non-mahram men on the evidence in the Qur’aan and Sunnah. So long as a woman adheres to these conditions, she may wear whatever she likes in public places and elsewhere, and her hijaab will be considered Islamic. These conditions may be summarized as follows:

The hijaab must cover her entire body

It should be thick enough to conceal what is underneath it

It should be loose-fitting, not tight

It should not be so attractive as to call men’s attention to it

It should not be perfumed

It should not be a dress of fame and vanity (i.e., it should be extravagant or excessively opulent)

It should not resemble the dress of men

It should not resemble the dress of kaafir women

It should not be adorned with any crosses or pictures of animate beings

Further discussion of each of the above points will appear soon, in sha Allaah.

It is not one of these conditions that it should be black. A woman may wear whatever she wants, so long as she does not wear a colour that is only for men , and she does not wear a garment that is an adornment in itself, i.e., decorated and adorned in such a way that it attracts the gaze of men, because of the general meaning of the verse (interpretation of the meaning):

“…and not to show off their adornment…”

[al-Noor 24:31] 

It is not permissible for a woman to go out in a decorated garment that attracts people’s gaze, because this is something that tempts men. 

The dress of the Muslim woman need not only be black. It is permissible for her to wear any colour of clothing so long as it covers her ‘awrah, does not resemble men’s clothing, and is not so tight as to show the shape of her limbs or so thin as to show what is beneath it, and does not provoke temptation.Wearing black for women is not a must. They may wear other colours that are worn only by women, do not attract attention and do not provoke desire.

Many women choose to wear black, not because it is obligatory, but because it is farthest removed from being an adornment. There are reports which indicate that the women of the Sahaabah used to wear black. Abu Dawood (4101) narrated that Umm Salamah said: “When the words ‘and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)’ [al-Noor 24:31 – interpretation of the meaning] were revealed, the women of the Ansaar went out looking as if there were crows on their heads because of their garments.” Classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood.

The Standing Committee (17/110) said: This is to be understood as meaning that those clothes were black in colour.

And Allaah knows best 

Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

Do women have to wear niqaab?

Niqaab is that with which a woman veils her face (tantaqib)… But the niqaab or burqa’ – which shows the eyes of the woman – has become widespread among women, and some of them do not wear it properly. Some scholars have forbidden wearing it on the grounds that it is not Islamic in origin, and because it is used improperly and people treat it as something insignificant, demonstrating negligent attitudes towards it and using new forms of niqaab which are not prescribed in Islam, widening the opening for the eyes so that the cheeks, nose and part of the forehead are also visible. 

 Therefore, if the woman’s niqaab or burqa’ does not show anything but the eyes, and the opening is only as big as the left eye, as was narrated from some of the salaf, then that is permissible, otherwise she should wear something which covers her face entirely.

Shaykh Muhammad al-Saalih al-‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

The hijaab prescribed in sharee’ah means that a woman should cover everything that it is haraam for her to show, i.e., she should cover that which it is obligatory for her to cover, first and foremost of which is the face, because it is the focus of temptation and desire.

A woman is obliged to cover her face in front of anyone who is not her mahram (blood relative to whom marriage is forbidden). From this we learn that the face is the most essential thing to be covered. There is evidence from the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and the views of the Sahaabah and the imams and scholars of Islam, which indicates that women are obliged to cover all of their bodies in front of those who are not their mahrams. 

Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/ 391, 392)

Shaykh Saalih al-Fawzaan (may Allaah preserve him) said:

The correct view as indicated by the evidence is that the woman’s face is ‘awrah which must be covered. It is the most tempting part of her body, because what people look at most is the face, so the face is the greatest ‘awrah of a woman. This is in addition to the shar’i evidence which states that it is obligatory to cover the face.

For example, Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms)…”

[al-Noor 24:31]

Drawing the veil all over the juyoob implies covering the face.

When Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) was asked about the aayah (interpretation of the meaning):

“O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies”

[al-Ahzaab 33:59] –

he covered his face, leaving only one eye showing. This indicates that what was meant by the aayah was covering the face. This was the interpretation of Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allaah be pleased with him) of this aayah, as narrated from him by ‘Ubaydah al-Salmaani when he asked him about it.

In the Sunnah there are many ahaadeeth, such as: the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “The woman in ihraam is forbidden to veil her face (wear niqaab) or to wear the burqa’.” This indicates that when women were not in ihraam, women used to cover their faces.

This does not mean that if a woman takes off her niqaab or burqa’ in the state of ihraam that she should leave her face uncovered in the presence of non-mahram men. Rather she is obliged to cover it with something other than the niqaab or burqa’, on the evidence of the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) who said: “We were with the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) in ihraam, and when men passed by us, we would lower the khimaar on our heads over our faces, and when they moved on we would lift it again.”

Women in ihraam and otherwise are obliged to cover their faces in front of non-mahram men, because the face is the center of beauty and it is the place that men look at… and Allaah knows best.

Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/396, 397

He also said:

It is OK to cover the face with the niqaab or burqa’ which has two openings for the eyes only, because this was known at the time of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him), and because of necessity. If nothing but the eyes show, this is fine, especially if this is customarily worn by women in her society.

Fataawa al-Mar’ah al-Muslimah, 1/399

And Allaah knows best.
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

It is better for a woman to wear socks even if her garment covers her feet

 

The Muslim woman is required to cover all of her body in front of men. Hence she is allowed to let her garment drag by being a cubit longer in order to cover her feet. What the woman has to do is to cover her feet either by wearing a loose and long garment or by wearing socks or the like. If she covers her feet then she does not have to wear socks, but if she wears socks this will be more covering, so it is recommended. And Allaah knows best.


Islam Q&A
Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid

 

Ruling on women wearing gold rings

 Some of the women among us are confused because of the fatwa of the scholar Muhammad Naasir al-Deen al-Albaani, the muhaddith (hadeeth scholar) of Syria, in his book Adaab al-Zafaaf (The Etiquettes of Marriage and Wedding) concerning the prohibition of wearing gold rings in general. There are women who have given up wearing them, and they describe the women who do wear them as being misguided and misguiding others. What do you say about the wearing of gold rings in particular? We urgently need your evidence and fatwa, because the matter has gotten out of control. May Allaah forgive you and increase you in abundance of knowledge.

 

Women are permitted to wear gold, in the form of rings and otherwise, because of the general meaning of the aayah (interpretation of the meaning),

“(Like they then for Allaah) a creature who is brought up in adornments (wearing silk and gold ornaments, i.e. women), and who in dispute cannot make herself clear?”

[al-Zukhruf 43:18 ],

where Allaah mentions that wearing adornments is an attribute of women; this includes gold and other things. And Ahmad, Abu Dawood and al-Nasaa’i narrated with a jayyid isnaad from Ameer al-Mu’mineen ‘Ali ibn Abi Taalib (may Allaah be pleased with him) that “These two [gold and silk] are forbidden for the males of my ummah.” Ibn Maajah added in one narration, “and permitted for the females.” 

Is a woman’s prayer considered permissible after doing wudoo’ and putting make-up on her face?

 

If a woman does wudoo’ then puts makeup on her face, that does not matter, and it does not affect her wudoo’ or her prayer, so long as it is not naajis, because purity of clothes and body are essential for the prayer to be valid.

It should be noted that it is not permissible for a woman to wear makeup in front of non-mahram men, because she is commanded to cover her face in front of them and because wearing makeup is an adornment that leads to fitnah. If she does that and then prays, she will have the reward for her prayer but she will have the burden of sin for tabarruj (wanton display).

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (17/129): There is no reason why a woman should not adorn herself by wearing makeup on her face, or kohl, or doing her hair in a manner that does not make her resemble kaafir women, but it is also essential that she cover her face in front of men who are not her mahrams. End quote.

It also says (17/128): Using kohl is allowed in Islam, but it is not permissible for a woman to show any of her adornment, whether kohl or anything else, to anyone other than her husband or mahrams, because Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“…and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands…”

[al-Noor 24:31]

And Allaah knows best./Islamqa

When it is permissible to use cosmetics? And the ruling on collagen in particular

In principle it is permissible for women to use cosmetics, but when saying it is permissible it is essential to pay attention to a number of things, such as:

1.This beautification should not be for non-mahram men. The one for whom she should beautify herself first and foremost is her husband. If she uses cosmetics so that her husband will see her in the best shape, or she appears thus beautified before other women or her mahrams, that is permissible for her, because the basic principle is that she should cover all of her body in front of non-mahram men, so how can it be permissible for her to beautify herself for them in addition to that?

2.The materials used for cosmetic purposes should be permissible, such as henna and kohl. It is not permissible for her to use fat from dead meat (i.e., from animals that have not been slaughtered in accordance with sharee’ah) or impure (naajis) substances, because Islam forbids using impure and haraam things. See the answer to question no. 45635.

3.The materials used for cosmetic purposes should not be harmful to her body. It is not permissible for her to use harmful chemical substances, whether the harmful effect will occur immediately or in the future, because Islam forbids harming oneself, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “There should be neither causing harm nor reciprocating harm.”

4.The cosmetic effect on the body should be temporary. It is not permissible for her to use those substances that change the creation of Allaah, as some women do by having lip treatments, face peeling and tattoos which change the colour of the skin permanently.

If the conditions and guidelines mentioned above are met, then using collagen is permissible.

And Allaah knows best./Islamqa

Is it allowed in Islam to pray with Nail-color on ?

It is permissible for a woman to colour her nails for the purpose of adornment, with materials that do not cause harm, and there is nothing wrong with her praying with that, unless it is a substance that prevents water from reaching what is beneath it, in which case wudoo’ and ghusl are not valid unless it is removed. If the wudoo’ is not valid then the prayer is not valid.

It says in Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/218:

“If the colour is impermeable, then wudoo’ is not valid unless it is removed before doing wudoo’. If it is not impermeable, then wudoo’ is valid, as is the case with henna.” 

Is wudoo’ valid if there are traces of makeup?

In order for wudoo’ to be valid it is essential to remove anything that may prevent the water from reaching the skin, such as wax, dough, sticky substances and the like, so that the purpose of washing those parts of the body in wudoo’ may be achieved.

Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):

“O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salaah (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles”

[al-Maa’idah 5:6] 

Al-Nawawi said in al-Mawdoo’ (1/492): If there is any wax, dough or henna’ etc on his body and that prevents the water from reaching any part of that limb, then his wudoo’ is not valid, whether there is a lot of that or a little. If there is any trace or colour of henna left on the hand etc, but not the henna itself, or there is a trace of fat or oil such that when the water touches the skin it will run over it, but not stay, then his wudoo’ is valid.

 Shaping the eyebrows by trimming, shaving or plucking their edges in order to appear beautiful, as is done by some women nowadays, is haraam because it involves changing the creation of Allaah and following the Shaytaan in his tempting of mankind to change the creation of Allaah. Allaah says:

“Verily! Allaah forgives not (the sin of) setting up partners in worship with Him, but He forgives whom He pleases sins other than that, and whoever sets up partners in worship with Allaah, has indeed strayed far away.

They (all those who worship others than Allaah) invoke nothing but female deities besides Him, and they invoke nothing but Shaytaan, a persistent rebel!

Allaah cursed him. And he [Shaytaan] said: ‘I will take an appointed portion of Your slaves;

Verily, I will mislead them, and surely, I will arouse in them false desires; and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and indeed I will order them to change the nature created by Allaah.’ And whoever takes Shaytaan as a wali (protector or helper) instead of Allaah, has surely suffered a manifest loss.”

[Al-Nisa’ 4:116-119]

In al-Saheeh, it was reported that Ibn Mas’ood (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “Allaah has cursed the women who do tattoos and those who have this done, the women who pluck eyebrows and those who have this done, and the women who file their teeth and change the creation of Allaah.” Then he said: “Should I not curse those whom the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed, when it says in the Qur’aan (interpretation of the meaning): ‘… And whatsoever the Messenger gives you, take it, and whatever he forbids you, abstain (from it)…’ [al-Hashr 59:7]”