Beautification of the Bride for Her Husband

Author: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (Hafidhahullah)

Question:
Can a bride or a newlywed woman use makeup, such as rouge or beauty products, for her husband? Please explain with evidence.

Answer:
It is permissible and encouraged in Islam for a woman to beautify herself for her husband. The permissibility of using cosmetics, fragrances, and other beauty enhancements is established from authentic Hadiths.

Evidence from the Sunnah:​

1. Permissibility of Fragrance for Women:
   The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) described the best type of fragrance for men and women:
   
   "أَفْضَلُ طِيبِ الرِّجَالِ مَا ظَهَرَ رِيحُهُ وَخَفِيَ لَوْنُهُ، وَأَفْضَلُ طِيبِ النِّسَاءِ مَا ظَهَرَ لَوْنُهُ وَخَفِيَ رِيحُهُ"
   (“The best fragrance for men is that which has a strong scent and no color, and the best fragrance for women is that which has a visible color and a mild scent.”)
   [Tirmidhi, Kitab al-Adab, Hadith 2788]
   This Hadith implies that it is permissible for women to use cosmetics and color-based products like rouge and powder, provided it aligns with modesty and is for permissible purposes, such as beautifying herself for her husband.
2. Incident of Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf (رضي الله عنه):
   Anas (رضي الله عنه) reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) once saw yellow marks on the body of Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf (رضي الله عنه) and inquired about it. Abd al-Rahman replied:
   
   “I have married a woman for a gold nugget.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said:
   "May Allah bless you! Hold a wedding feast, even if it is with a single sheep."
   [Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Nikah, Hadith 1427]
   The yellow marks (from saffron) on Abd al-Rahman ibn Awf (رضي الله عنه) were likely from his bride, indicating that she had beautified herself for him.
3. Preparation of Aisha (رضي الله عنها) for Marriage:
   On the occasion of Aisha’s (رضي الله عنها) marriage, Asma bint Umais (رضي الله عنها) adorned her. This incident is recorded in Musnad Ahmad (6/48), further affirming the permissibility of beautification for brides.

Conclusion:​

Based on these evidences:

1. Beautification for the Husband:
   A bride or a wife can beautify herself for her husband using permissible means, such as makeup, beauty products, or fragrant cosmetics with visible color.
2. Use of Modern Beauty Parlors:
   Visiting beauty parlors for lawful beautification purposes, such as applying makeup, rouge, or mild fragrances, is permissible as long as Islamic guidelines of modesty and privacy are upheld.
3. Fragrance and Makeup:
   Using cosmetics like saffron, rouge, or powder is explicitly validated in Islamic teachings when it serves the purpose of enhancing marital harmony.

May Allah grant Muslim women the ability to maintain their beauty within the boundaries of Shariah. (Ameen)