Shariah Ruling on Wearing Colored Lenses for Beauty Purposes

Excerpt Source: Aḥkām wa Masā’il fī Ḍaw’ al-Kitāb wa al-Sunnah
By: Shaykh Mubashshir Aḥmad Rabbānī


❖ Question:​


These days people are using lenses to change their eye color — is it permissible to use them? Does it count as a sin? Kindly clarify.


❖ Ruling on the Use of Contact Lenses​


In the market, two types of lenses are commonly available:


➊ Prescription Lenses (for vision correction):​


These are used as an alternative to glasses by people with poor eyesight.
There is no Shar‘i issue in using them.


➋ Cosmetic Lenses (for beauty/fashion):​


These are plain lenses used solely for the purpose of beautification or fashion.
Using them, in itself, is not inherently impermissible either.


❖ Specific Ruling for Women​


However, regarding women, a particular caution is necessary.


☛ Numerous Shar‘i texts prohibit a woman from displaying her adornment before non-mahram men.


Hence:


✖ If a woman wears colored lenses:​


  • To alter her eye color
  • And intentionally displays this beauty before non-maḥrams
    This becomes a sinful and impermissible act as it invites temptation (fitnah) and is a form of unlawful beautification.

✔ On the other hand:​


  • If a woman observes proper hijāb,
  • Avoids showing her beauty to non-maḥrams,
  • And uses such adornments within Shar‘i limits,

➡ Then this form of beauty is similar to other permissible adornments, and hence, allowed.
 
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