Question: Is mascara haram?
Answer:
Wearing mascara is not haram in Islam. It is halal for you to wear mascara as a Muslim woman. You can get fuller and longer looking eyelashes by using mascara. However, the scholars of Islam do point out certain conditions to follow to make the mascara halal to wear.
When would it be Haram to Wear Mascara?
Mascara is a great halal alternative to wearing eyelash extensions. Wearing false eyelashes can have many health risks. These risks can be avoided by wearing mascara instead. But there are a number of conditions that the scholars lay down that may make mascara haram to wear:
1. Wearing Mascara in front of Non-Mahram Men
You should only wear mascara on your eyelashes in women only gatherings. Or in front of your husband and direct male family members (your mahram). These include your father, grandfathers, child, blood brother, maternal/paternal uncle etc.
Male cousins and male family friends are not your mahram. You should not expose your beauty in front of all men that are not mahram to you.
If you are married then you should beautify yourself for your husband by wearing mascara. This can be a great act of reward when either spouse beautifies themselves for the other.
2. The Mascara Contains Haram Ingredients
If the mascara contains haram ingredients then it would not be permissible to use. An example of haram ingredients is a chemical derived from animals. Especially if the mascara contains something derived from pork.
3. The Mascara prevents the Wudu from being complete
One of the conditions for a person’s wudu to be valid is that you must wash the face. This includes washing the eyelashes. The evidence for this is the verse of the Qur’an when Allah says:
“…and wipe over your faces and hands with it.” – [Qur’an 5:6]
Source: https://quran.com/5/6
Some might argue… “but eyelashes are only small fine hair. Does it really matter if we wash them or not?” The short answer is yes it does matter.
A person’s wudu is incomplete even if they leave off a small area that is the size of a nail. This is something that is mentioned in the hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him).
Jabir reported:
‘Umar b. Khattab said that a person performed ablution and left a small part equal to the space of a nail (unwashed).
The Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) saw that and said: Go back and perform ablution well. He then went back (performed ablution well) and offered the prayer.
[Sahih Muslim • Book 2, Hadith 43 • Graded Authentic, Sahih]
This means that if you’re going to wash off your mascara before doing wudu there is no issue whatsoever. But if you’re leaving the mascara on then the mascara must be permeable (i.e. the water must reach the eyelashes).
The scholars have differed whether mascara is permeable or not. Some apply the same ruling as wearing kohl in the eyes or gel on the hair. If the mascara is light and non-waterproof then water should get through. This would make it permissible to do wudu with mascara on.
For most women the whole purpose of mascara is to make the eyelashes thicker, longer and fuller. This means they would apply a thicker coating of mascara on the eyelashes.
All scholars agree that if the application of mascara is thick then the wudu would be invalid. Even if the mascara is non-waterproof. This is because ‘non-waterproof’ mascara simply means that it washes off with water. While waterproof or water-resistant mascara requires chemicals such as eye make up remover. These features of products have no relevance from a fiqh standpoint. They are commercial words describing the features of a product not an Islamic ruling.
Is L’oreal, Maybelline and Max Factor Mascara Halal?
The ingredients of mascara brands such as Loreal and Maybelline can change over the years. One cannot say whether they will always be halal or always be haram. You would have to do your own due diligence and look up if the ingredients are halal or haram. Or you may ask a trusted source who has done the research.
Is it Haram to Wear Mascara while Fasting during Ramadan?
Wearing mascara has no impact on your fast. Your fast will not break if you put on mascara. It is not haram to put on mascara while fasting during Ramadan.
The things that break your fast are; eating, drinking, intercourse, vomiting, bleeding and menstruating. Wearing mascara does not come under any of these things that can break your fast.
If you’re fasting and want to look nice for your husband you can put on mascara.
If you’re fasting and will be attending women’s only iftar party with your friends. You can put on mascara.
Conclusion
Wearing mascara is halal in Islam. But you should not wear mascara in front of non-mahram men. Make sure the ingredients used in the mascara are not haram. If you apply thick layer of mascara on your eyelashes then take it off before doing wudu.
Always remember. Allah is Beautiful (Al-Jameel) and He loves beauty in all things. Allah created us all beautiful. When we beautify ourselves the halal way this can be a great act of reward. But if we beautify ourselves in the haram way then this can be an act of disobedience to Allah.
And Allah knows best.
Related Questions:
Is Being a Makeup Artist Haram?
Being a makeup artist is not haram as long as you do not expose your beauty in front of non-mahram men. It is halal to become a makeup artist and have a private salon for women only.
Becoming a YouTube (MUA) makeup artist is not permissible. This is because in Islam it is not permissible for you to expose your beauty in front of non-mahram men.
Is Lipstick Haram?
Lipstick is not haram to wear. If the ingredients are halal then the lipstick is halal to wear.
If the lipstick is a natural lip color then it is halal to wear in front of anyone. But if the lipstick is bright and striking then you should not wear it in front of non-mahram men. Such beautification should only be reserved for women only gatherings and your husband.
