5 Sunnah Practices Related to Applying Kohl (Surmah) — In Light of Authentic Ahadith
Source: Fatawa al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 438
What is the Sunnah regarding the use of kohl (surmah)?
Narrated by Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه):
“The Prophet ﷺ used to apply kohl three times in his right eye and two times in his left eye.”
References:
◈ This narration is authentic when supported by corroborating chains.
Imām al-Tirmidhī (رحمه الله) in al-Shamā’il (Hadith 4), narrated from ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما):
“The Prophet ﷺ said:
Use Ithmid (a specific type of kohl), as it sharpens vision and helps eyelashes grow.
The Prophet ﷺ had a kohl container, and he used to apply kohl three times in each eye every night.”
References:
◈ If the phrase “zaʿama al-Nabiyy ﷺ” (“The Prophet ﷺ said...”) is actually a statement by Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنه), then the narration is connected and authentic.
◈ However, if it is a statement of Imām Tirmidhī’s teacher Muḥammad ibn Ḥumayd, then the narration would be considered muʿḍal (a type of weak Hadith due to missing narrators in the chain).
Hence, Shaykh al-Albānī (رحمه الله) stated in Ḍaʿīf al-Targhīb that:
➤ The ḥadīth is authentic, except for the phrase “zaʿama”.
(See Mukhtaṣar al-Shamā’il, Ḥadīth 42)
Refer also to: Tuḥfat al-Aḥwadhī 3/60
◈ The narration recorded by Abū al-Shaykh in Akhlāq al-Nabī from ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها) is weak.
◈ Some people believe that applying kohl specifically on Friday night is a Sunnah practice,
◈ However, this claim is incorrect.
✔ The correct ruling is:
➤ Kohl may be applied at any time, whether during the day or night, as per need.
① Applying kohl is a Sunnah practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
② He used Ithmid kohl, which strengthens eyesight and promotes eyelash growth.
③ He applied kohl three times in each eye every night.
④ Kohl may be used as needed, and no specific day or night (such as Friday) is prescribed for its application.
⑤ The authenticity of narrations varies, but the core practice is well established in the Sunnah.
ھٰذا ما عندی، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Source: Fatawa al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 438
❖ Question:
What is the Sunnah regarding the use of kohl (surmah)?
✿ The Method of Applying Kohl Practiced by the Prophet ﷺ:
Narrated by Sayyiduna Anas (رضي الله عنه):
“The Prophet ﷺ used to apply kohl three times in his right eye and two times in his left eye.”
References:
- Ṭabaqāt Ibn Saʿd 1/484
- Akhlāq al-Nabī by Abū al-Shaykh, p. 183
- al-Ṭabarānī al-Kabīr 3/199
- al-Bazzār
- al-Majmaʿ 5/95
- al-Ṣaḥīḥah 2/214, Ḥadīth no. 633
◈ This narration is authentic when supported by corroborating chains.
✿ Benefits and Method of Using
Imām al-Tirmidhī (رحمه الله) in al-Shamā’il (Hadith 4), narrated from ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنهما):
“The Prophet ﷺ said:
Use Ithmid (a specific type of kohl), as it sharpens vision and helps eyelashes grow.
The Prophet ﷺ had a kohl container, and he used to apply kohl three times in each eye every night.”
References:
- Kitāb al-Libās, Ḥadīth no. 1827
- al-Mishkāt, Ḥadīth no. 4472 (2/383)
✿ Commentary on the Chain of Narration:
◈ If the phrase “zaʿama al-Nabiyy ﷺ” (“The Prophet ﷺ said...”) is actually a statement by Ibn ʿAbbās (رضي الله عنه), then the narration is connected and authentic.
◈ However, if it is a statement of Imām Tirmidhī’s teacher Muḥammad ibn Ḥumayd, then the narration would be considered muʿḍal (a type of weak Hadith due to missing narrators in the chain).
Hence, Shaykh al-Albānī (رحمه الله) stated in Ḍaʿīf al-Targhīb that:
➤ The ḥadīth is authentic, except for the phrase “zaʿama”.
(See Mukhtaṣar al-Shamā’il, Ḥadīth 42)
Refer also to: Tuḥfat al-Aḥwadhī 3/60
✿ Report from ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها):
◈ The narration recorded by Abū al-Shaykh in Akhlāq al-Nabī from ʿĀʾishah (رضي الله عنها) is weak.
✿ Applying Kohl on Friday Night:
◈ Some people believe that applying kohl specifically on Friday night is a Sunnah practice,
◈ However, this claim is incorrect.
✔ The correct ruling is:
➤ Kohl may be applied at any time, whether during the day or night, as per need.
✔ Conclusion:
① Applying kohl is a Sunnah practice of the Prophet ﷺ.
② He used Ithmid kohl, which strengthens eyesight and promotes eyelash growth.
③ He applied kohl three times in each eye every night.
④ Kohl may be used as needed, and no specific day or night (such as Friday) is prescribed for its application.
⑤ The authenticity of narrations varies, but the core practice is well established in the Sunnah.
ھٰذا ما عندی، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
