Are Eyelash Extensions Haram? – The Complete Guide

Question: Are eyelash extensions haram in Islam? I like to beautify and accessorize myself. Eyelash extensions are something I like to apply to make my lashes longer, curlier and fuller.

My husband also likes it when I dress up for him and apply false eyelashes to beautify myself. The lashes I use are synthetic eyelashes.

However, I am not sure if false eyelashes are haram and would like to know the Islamic ruling on them.

I was also considering semi-permanent eyelashes that can last around 6-8 weeks. These may be made from human or horsehair. Can you also tell me if semi-permanent eyelashes are halal or haram?

Answer:

Thank you for your question dear sister in Islam. I pray Allah puts barakah in your iman and marriage.

Eyelash extensions are not something that was practiced at the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him). So we do not have anything explicit from the Qur’an and Sunnah regarding this matter.

However, the scholars of Islam have derived rulings regarding eyelash extensions. This is based on the understanding of similar matters found in the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Below is a detailed response with evidence from the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Are Eyelash Extensions Haram?

The majority of the scholars of Islam consider all forms of eyelash extensions to be haram. This is based on the ruling that the Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade women joining hair with hair.

The women at the time of the Prophet would add hair extensions to their hair to beautify themselves. The Prophet (peace be upon him) strictly forbade this practice. He said Allah’s curse is upon the women who apply hair extensions or do it to others.

We find multiple narrations in the books of hadith where attaching hair to hair is prohibited.

Some scholars went as far to point out that even if a person has an illness they cannot use any form of hair extensions.

This ruling is derived from the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him). A woman whose hair had fallen off due to an illness yet the Prophet still forbade her from adding hair extensions.

Are False Eyelashes Haram?

Most commonly there are three types of false eyelashes: human hair lashes, mink fur lashes and synthetic lashes.

False human hair eyelashes (also known as falsies) carry the same ruling as eyelash extensions. Applying false hair eyelashes or adding eyelash extensions are both considered haram in Islam.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) cursed the women who use false hair.

With regards to wearing false synthetic eyelashes not made from human hair. Please scroll to the section below on ‘Are Synthetic Eyelash Extensions Haram?‘

Why are Eyelash Extensions Haram?

Eyelash extensions are haram because they give a false impression. In Islam they come under the ruling of deception and cheating.

Giving a false impression and deception is a major sin in Islam. A Muslim does not deceive and is always truthful in their actions and appearance.

The Prophet of Allah forbade us from deceiving with our appearances. He used terminology such as cheating and false impression when it comes to connecting hair with false hair.

Health Risks of Eyelash Extensions

The scholars of Islam have also pointed out the health risks of applying eyelash extensions. Consulting with health experts we learn that eyelash extensions contain chemicals that can be harmful.

According to the reputable health experts at ‘Healthline’ eyelash extensions have many side effects. These include bloodshot eyes, burning, pain, rash, redness and inflammation of the eye or eyelid, swelling, which can be severe. Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/eyelash-extension-side-effects#side-effects

Other health experts have also noted a risk of developing traction alopecia. This is a side effect where your natural eyelashes fall out due to using eyelash extensions.

In Islam it is a major sin to inflict self-harm upon oneself. The evidence for this is the verse of the Qur’an. Allah forbids us from making our own hands the cause of our own destruction.

“…and do not throw (yourselves) with your (own) hands into destruction. And do good; indeed, Allah loves the doers of good.” – [Qur’an 2:195]

Source: https://quran.com/2/195

Eyes are a great blessing from Allah and we should be grateful to Allah for them. We should not put our sight at risk just to look good and beautify ourselves.

Why did some Scholars say Eyelash Extensions are Halal?

Some scholars allowed eyelash extensions ONLY if it is done in front of the husband. This is because in Islam it is rewarding for both spouses to beautify themselves for each other.

However their understanding is debatable. They quote the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) referenced below and state the following…

“The Prophet only forbade the girl from wearing hair extensions because she was getting married. This is because it would have been deceptive of her not to disclose she has an illness and her hair has fallen off. Not that she cannot wear eyelash extensions for her husband.”

According to these scholars it would be permissible to wear eyelash extensions ONLY in front of the husband. The hadith in reference is:

However, we find other similar narrations where the woman was already married. In these narrations we see that her husband himself is the one who wants her to get hair extensions. Yet the Prophet (peace be upon him) still forbade this practice.

So the understanding that hair extensions are halal if it is done for the husband is not correct.

Are Synthetic Eyelash Extensions Haram?

Synthetic eyelashes are made from man-made materials such as plastic fiber.

Some scholars among the Hanbali and Maliki school of thought allow eyelash extensions if it is made from other than human hair. According to these scholars what’s prohibited by the Prophet is joining human hair with hair.

So eyelash extensions made from non-human hair would be halal. So synthetic or animal hair such as horse hair would be permissible. The only exception would be to use an animal’s hair that is considered impure in the sharia such as pig hair.

Other scholars rejected this understanding and said that the Prophet forbade artificial hair too. Quoting the hadith below.

Conditions for using Synthetic Eyelash Extensions

The scholars that allowed synthetic eyelash extensions placed the following conditions:

• The eyelash extensions should only be worn in front of the husband or mahram members of the family. Or among other women only gatherings. They should not be worn in front of non-mahram strange men.
• The synthetic eyelash extensions should not pose any major health risks.
• They should not be made from any haram material or animal.
• They should not contain human or pig hair. Other animal hair such as horse hair is permissible.
• It should be temporary as not to deceive anyone that they are your natural lashes

Are Semi-Permanent Eyelash Extensions Haram?

Semi-permanent eyelashes are haram even if they are not made from human hair.

Semi-permanent eyelashes last for a number of weeks. Even those scholars that allowed synthetic eyelashes only permitted it in front of the husband and other women. And that it should be temporary to not deceive anyone.

Semi-permanent eyelashes would violate many conditions put forward by these scholars.

Are there any Halal Alternatives for Eyelash Extensions?

A good halal alternative for false eyelashes/eyelash extensions would be to use mascara. You would be able to beautify yourself for your husband and also stay away from grey matters.

Remember the Prophet (peace be upon him) told us that Allah is Al-Jameel (The Most Beautiful) and he loves beauty in all things.

Allah created us beautiful and when we beautify ourselves in the right manner (for our spouse). With an intention that is pure and seeking to please Allah. Then this has great rewards to it.

Beautifying yourself for your spouse is something that is praiseworthy. The companions applied the verse of the Qur’an where Allah says that each spouse has rights over the other to mean – beautifying yourself for your spouse.

In Islam not all sins are the same. Some sins are greater than others. Sins where Allah or His Messenger have cursed the individual should be avoided at all costs.

It is great that you and your spouse love to beautify yourself for each other. But to stay on the safe side and away from differences of opinion of the scholars. My advice would be to use mascara instead of synthetic eyelash extensions.

The condition being that you only put it on in front of your husband or those men who are mahram to you. Or of course among other women. And that you wash it off before doing wudu so you can pray.

Can you do Wudu with Eyelash Extensions?

One of the conditions for a person’s wudu to be accepted is that the water must touch every area of the skin. Meaning all the parts of the body that are specified to be washed in wudu must be completely soaked in water.

One of the main body parts to be washed in wudu is the face.

“…and wipe over your faces and hands with it.” – [Qur’an 5:6]

Source: https://quran.com/5/6

Synthetic eyelash extensions cover the natural eyelashes. They may also cover tiny areas of the eyelid skin. Eyelash extensions would therefore invalidate a person’s wudu. This is because they prevent water from reaching areas that are required to be washed during wudu.

Some may argue what’s the big deal? It’s only a small area of the skin that is covered and may consider it insignificant. But if we turn to the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) we learn that even ‘leaving an area the size of a hair’ is a major sin.

The hadith mentioned is for doing ghusl but would also apply to wudu. Since both of them are ritual acts of purification for the prayer to be valid.

Is it Haram to Pray with Eyelash Extensions?

Eyelash extensions have no impact on the validity of the five daily prayers. It only has an impact on the validity of the wudu.

Wudu is an obligatory prerequisite to prayer. So from that perspective if the wudu is not valid then the prayer will also be invalid.

Some scholars have allowed synthetic eyelash extensions. So if you choose to follow that opinion (along with all the conditions of when and where you can wear them). Then you can offer your prayer with your synthetic eyelashes.

A typical scenario would be a sister does wudu and then puts on her synthetic eyelashes. She wears them only in front of her husband/mahram or at women-only gatherings.

The time of prayer comes in and she still has her wudu. She can then offer her prayer with her synthetic eyelashes on.

If she breaks her wudu and the time for prayer comes in then she must take off her eyelashes and do wudu. Only then would she be able to pray.

Conclusion

Eyelash extensions made from hair are haram in Islam. Eyelash extensions is a deceptive practice where hair is attached to hair. This is something that is prohibited by the Prophet and Allah’s curse is upon the one who does it. As a Muslim you should not get eyelash extensions or do it to others.

As Muslims we should be grateful with how Allah has created us. We should not seek beautification through adding hair or eyelash extensions. It is displeasing to Allah and would lead to our destruction.

Some scholars have allowed synthetic eyelash extensions. However, there are many health risks that can develop with attaching synthetic eyelashes.

To be on the safe side use mascara. Only in front of your husband or mahram and wash it off before doing wudu.

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All evidence provided is from the Qur’an and authentic (sahih) and reliable (hasan) hadith.

And Allah the Most Knowledgeable knows best.