Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

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:

Assalamu`alaikum w r w Barakatuh,

Dear brother, please tell us about Kohl (Surmah), the black powder that we put in eyes, it is used by males also, much more common in south Asia.

Some people say it is Masnoon while some say that they have not read about it anywhere in Ahadeeth, please tell us in the light of authentic Islamic Literature.

Jazak Allaah.

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Can males put surma kohl

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.

There is a narration where Hadrat Anas ibn Malik (r.a.) said that he applied ‘kohl’ on his eyes. The scholars and jurists are unanimous in their opinion that it is permissible for both the males and the females to apply ‘kohl’, if they wish to do so.

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