1. What is the sunnat way of putting on surma?

Al-jawab billahi at-taufeeq (the answer with Allah’s guidance)

1) To apply Surma, Kohl (collyrium) to the eyes is Mustahab (peferable). Besides the benefit to the eyes, one would also get recompense (Thawab) for following the prophetic practice.

It is reported from Ibn Abbas (Radhiallahu Anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to apply the collyriyum of Ithmid (a mineral product) thrice to each eye every night before retiring to bed.”

Hafiz Ibn Hajar and Mulla Ali Qari have preferred those traditions which indicate that the kohl-rod was applied to each eyes thrice.

Jabir (Radhiallahu Anhu) reports that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has advised to apply the collyrium of Ithmid to the eyes as it increases the light of the eyes and helps grow the eye-lashes.” (Shamaa’il)

There is no fixed time in applying Surma but applying it before retiring to bed is beneficial. (Ahsanul Fataawa Vol. 9 Pg. 74)

2) To wear an Amaamah (turban) is the Sunnah of our beloved Rasul (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) had a white, black, and red Amaamah. (Shamaail)

White turban- Ibn Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) narrates Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) tied a white turban for Abdur-Rahmaan ibn Awf (Radhiallahu Anhu). (Mustadrak al-Haakim)

Black turban- Jaabir ibn Abdullah (Radhiallahu Anhu) narrates that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) entered on the day of Fath-Makkah whilst wearing a black Turban. (Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi, Nasaaie, ibn Majah)

Red turban-Anas ibn Maalik (Radhiallahu Anhu) narrates seeing Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) making Wudhu whilst wearing a Turban that had red colour on it. (Sunan Abi Dawud; Mustadrak al-Haakim)

The Sunnah method of wearing the turban

It is reported from Ibn Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) that whenever the Prophet put on a Turban, he used to keep its end hanging behind between the shoulders.

Nafi’ (Radhiallahu Anhu) says that he had seen Ibn Umar (Radhiallahu Anhu) doing like this. Ubaidullah (RA), Nafi’s (RA) disciple, says that he had seen Abu Bakr’s (RA) grandson, Qasim Ibn Muhammad, and Umar’s (RA) grandson, Salim Ibn Abdullah, doing like this.

Note: It is permissible to wrap the turban without the Shimla (tail) end hanging, and the noble habit was different at different times; sometimes it was kept in the front on the right side and sometimes it was kept behind. Allamah Manawi says that both the methods are proven, but it is better to keep it on the back between the shoulders. (Shamaail)

3) Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) wearing of red clothes.

Bara’a reports that, “The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) was of medium build. I saw him once in a red garment and have never seen anything beautiful than him.” (Bukhari)

Abu Huzayfa reported similarly, saying, “I saw the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) in a red garment.”

Imam Zafar Ahmad Usmani quotes Durr al-Muhtar with Hashiya ibn Abidin:

“There is no problem in all the colours for men, except those dyed with saffron.

Allama Ibn Abidin says (wearing red clothes) has been narrated by Imam Abu Hanifa, as mentioned in Multaqat. And it shows that the karaha (offensiveness) is tanzihi, because the word ‘la ba’s’ is used generally in leaving things, which is better.” [I’la al-Sunan, Zafar Ahmad Usmani, 17.358-360)]

And Only Allah Ta’ala Knows Best.

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Moulana Qamruz Zaman
London, UK