Surma: Surma

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I'll be grateful to you if you please tell me if Hadiths about putting surma in eyes is authentic please?

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Answer:

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 4472 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas 

The Prophet (saws) said, "Apply antimony, for it clears the sight and makes the hair grow." And he asserted that the Prophet had a collyrium-case from which he applied collyrium every night three times in each eye.

Al-Tirmidhi Hadith 5639 Narrated by Mu'adh ibn Jabal

The Prophet (saws), said, "The inhabitants of Paradise will enter Paradise hairless, beardless with their eyes anointed with collyrium, aged thirty or thirty-three years."

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 3869 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas

The Prophet (saws) said: 'Wear your white garments, for they are among your best garments, and shroud your dead in them. Among the best types of collyrium you use is antimony (ithmid): it clears the vision and makes the hair sprout.'

Indeed, there are several authentic narrations which state that the Messenger of Allah (saws) would apply antimony or something like what we call 'surmaa' in his eyes. One should realize that the Messenger of Allah (saws) did not apply the 'surma' for beautification, but rather for reasons of health and well-being; just as he would use the 'miswak' for his teeth, oil in his hair, etc. Those products were the best available tools during his times, and if today science has discovered better tools and products which benefit the health of man, there is absolutely no harm in using them for one's good health and well-being.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone.  Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

 

Burhan