Is makeup haram to wear?

[ardianto]

There are two 'levels' of wearing makeup. "Thin makeup" that makes the wearer still look natural. And "thick makeup" that makes the wearer look 'colorful'. Women who wear thin makeup do not intend to attract men's attention. They wear it just to make them look fresh. Different than the women who wear thick makeup.

It's better if we do not generalize that all women who wear makeup must be intend to attract men's attention.

 

[CalmIslam]

There are two 'levels' of wearing makeup. "Thin makeup" that makes the wearer still look natural. And "thick makeup" that makes the wearer look 'colorful'. Women who wear thin makeup do not intend to attract men's attention. They wear it just to make them look fresh. Different than the women who wear thick makeup.

It's better if we do not generalize that all women who wear makeup must be intend to attract men's attention.

Okay well I don't wear makeup I rather be without but WHEN I do I don't wear it I just put some underneath my eyes & wear eyeliner on top & lipstick not to attract men but for myself [emoji173]️ so is it still Haraam ?

 

[sister herb]

It´s difficult to know what is intriguing and what isn´t to some other people whose see you using any kind of makeup.

 

[MuslimInshallah]

I have another question lol [emoji28] what if you wear makeup that's not intriguing just an eyeliner on the top eyelid & lipstick ?

Assalaamu alaikum again Asha,


(smile) You say "just an eyeliner… and lipstick"… but again, I'd ask: what are these doing?

(smile) Men often think that women enhance themselves to attract men. But in reality, women tend to be a lot more concerned about what other women think, than what men think. For the most part, women are not wearing the latest peak-a-boo fashions and make-up to attract men, but to gain approval from other women. It is mostly women who are going to give a woman feedback on her hair, nails, face, clothes, body…

Nevertheless, the things we women do, whether we are aware of it or not, do affect men. I am all for women having freedom. But I also believe in men having freedom, too. We all, in my opinion, have to consider not only what we want, but also how our choices affect others. It is, I believe, a question of consideration for others, and a question of good manners.

God has Created men to be sexually stimulated by a woman's body. If a man is not stimulated, he cannot perform sexually. While non-visual cues do exist, visual ones are very important. This is just a reality.

Some women argue that it is not fair that women have to be more careful of how they dress and decorate themselves. They say: well, why don't men also have to cover? Or : why don't men just control themselves? (smile) Of course, men should also take care in how they dress and behave. But being fair doesn't mean everyone is treated or behaves in exactly the same way in all circumstances.

For example, if a blind person is expected to read regular textbooks for university, would this be fair? Or is it more truly fair to accommodate the person's blindness, and allow access to braille books, audio books, or a person to read the textbooks?

Knowing that men are sexually stimulated by women's bodies, is it not fair, in mixed environments, for women to take care how they dress and decorate themselves? (And is it not also fair, O men, to try not to look and restrain yourselves…?).

(smile) How does this tie in with a little bit of eyeliner and lipstick? Well, if I were to say: the eyeliner makes your eyes look bigger and more defined, and the lipstick makes your lips more defined and probably flushed (depends on the colour). Dilated pupils signal a woman's interest in something (including men), and emphasizing the eyes has an effect on men similar to this pupil dilation (and receiving a woman's interest is a definite turn-on for men). Flushed lips signal sexual arousal in a woman (which a man is likely to interpret as: she's turned on by me). You can have a large effect (more striking contrasts or more vivid colours, for instance), or more subtle ones. But nevertheless, overall, the signals that men are receiving are stimulatory ones.

Knowing this, do you want to wear make-up in your public life? (smile) This is your decision to make. Each person has their own particular set of circumstances, and each person is responsible for their choices.

I hope this helps.


May Allah, the Forgiving and Kind, be Gentle with us in our sincere struggles in this life.

 

[Karl]

Assalaamu alaikum Karl,

(mildly) Would you mind quoting the passages you are referencing? And constructing a clear and comprehensive argument for your various assertions?

JazakAllah khairan.

"Gold and silk have been permitted for the females of my Ummah, and forbidden to the males." I believe the context of this quote may mean that males should not dress in a feminine manner.

 

[MuslimInshallah]

As it seems to contradict the Quran.

Assalaamu alaikum Karl,

(smile) I was hoping you might quote the passages from the Qur'an that you felt that the hadith I quoted contradicted, and explain how you came to the conclusion that make-up, jewellery, adornments and silk clothing are forbidden.

(mildly) Allah Reminds us in surahs such as 16:116:

Sahih International translation: And do not say about what your tongues assert of untruth, "This is lawful and this is unlawful," to invent falsehood about Allah . Indeed, those who invent falsehood about Allah will not succeed.

(mildly) When making assertions as to what Allah Permits or not, we have to be very careful. (smile) It is why I am very loathe to categorically state something of this kind, unless the Qur'an or strong ahadith are very clear on something. In life, there are so many possible permutations of circumstances, that we may make pronouncements that are incorrect. If we say: I think that such-and-such should be forbidden, it is one thing. But to say: Allah Forbids such-and-such, is another. It is, indeed, a great sin to assert something in God's Name that might not be correct.

I do not disagree with you that living a simple life and restricting the use of adornments may be part of our surrender to what is most Pleasing to Allah. But I do feel that we need to be nuanced and careful in what we say, especially in a public forum, where people may be trying to learn about Islam. Sincere debate in order to better understand our Deen is a very positive thing, I think. But I do believe that we need to be careful. (smile) And I say this to myself as well; it is so easy to make mistakes!

May Allah, the Forbearing, Forgive us and Guide us to that which is Pleasing to Him.

 

[aminah996]

Assalaamu alaikum Asha,


(smile) This question about makeup pops up quite often. Basically, I think it's important to look at what cosmetics do. Then it becomes easier to answer the question of should we wear it.

Essentially, by making your eyes appear larger, and making your cheeks and lips redder, cosmetics simulate sexual arousal in a woman. They also make a woman look younger, healthier and more fertile, traits that other women admire (twinkle. And we do like to compare well with other women!)… but also traits that are sexually attractive to men.

So my question to you Asha would be: knowing that wearing cosmetics make you look like you are sexually aroused… would you want to go out looking like this? Or would you prefer only your husband see you in this state? And do you want to attract men in general to you… or just your husband?

Unless the cosmetics themselves are harmful, either to you or to an another (such as an unborn or breastfed child… and some substances can be harmful- be careful), I don't think that the products themselves are haraam. But just as sexuality is limited in Islam to marital partners, so I personally believe that the use of sexual enhancers such as cosmetics should be limited to our marital partners.

(smile) I hope this helps you.


May Allah, the Guide to the Right Path, Help us to make choices that are Pleasing to Him.

Very beautifully explained. Couldn't help but to comment, this is a very detailed response. In which makeup users cannot deny to admit. Jazakallahu khairan sister. May Allah reward you for the knowledge you presented beautifully in the discussion.