Answered by: Mufti Muhammad Afzal Hussain
Question:
Is it allowed to wear make-up in public as a Muslim woman?
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
In Surah Al-Nur, Allah says, “And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear . . . . . . . ” (Qur’an 24:31).
It was narrated from Zainab Ath-Thaqafiyyah that the prophet of Allah said: ‘If any one of you goes to the Masjid, let her not go near perfume.’ [Nasai: 5134, Muslim: 989/142]
Abdullah narrated that the Prophet said: “The woman is Awrah, so when she goes out, the Shaitan seeks to tempt her.” [Tirmidhi: 1173]
In the Arabic language ‘Awrah’ means those parts of the human body that must be covered and kept hidden from others.
Therefore, a woman can wear makeup and beautify herself in privacy and with the intention to please and be attractive to her husband. In public, she can wear makeup as long as it is covered via a Niqab and the fragrance isn’t strong and emitting.
Only Allah Knows Best
Written by Mufti Muhammad Afzal Hussain
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham