Sunan and Manners of Applying Kohl

Applying Surma (kohl) is a blessed Sunnah of the Noble Messenger صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ. The Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ used to apply kohl in his sacred eyes before going to bed. Therefore, with the intention of following the Sunnah, we should also apply kohl in our eyes when we are about to go to sleep. By doing so, we will not only earn the reward of acting upon a Sunnah but we will also reap its medical and health benefits in the world.

It is a Sunnah to Apply Kohl before Going to Bed

The Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah, the Owner of Jannah صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ used to apply kohl at the time of going to bed. Hence, Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Abbas رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ states:

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَتْ لَهُ مُكْحُلَةٌ يَكْتَحِلُ بِهَا كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ ثَلاَثَةً فِي هَذِهِ وَثَلاَثَةً فِي هَذِهِ

“Ibn Abbas رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ narrates that that the Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ had a Kohl holder with which he would apply Kohl every night, three in one eye and three in the other.”

(Jami Al-Tirmidhi)

Dear Islamic brothers! This blessed Hadith tells us that it is a Sunnah to use kohl at the time of going to bed. Therefore, we should not forget to apply kohl before going to sleep. The usefulness of applying kohl at the time of going to bed is that, this way, the kohl remains in the eyes for a longer period and benefits the eyes by passing through to the pores of the eyes.

Ithmid (Antimony) Kohl is Preferred

The following blessed Hadith is stated in Tirmidhi:

عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ ‏"‏ اكْتَحِلُوا بِالإِثْمِدِ فَإِنَّهُ يَجْلُو الْبَصَرَ وَيُنْبِتُ الشَّعْرَ

“Use Ithmid (antimony) for Kohl, for it clears the vision and grows the eyelashes.”

(Tirmidhi)

Another narration states:

خَيْرُ أَكْحَالِكُمُ الإِثْمِدُ يَجْلُو الْبَصَرَ وَيُنْبِتُ الشَّعَرَ

“The best of your kohl is Ithmid (antimony), for it improves the eyesight and makes the eyelashes grow.”

 (Sunan Ibn -e- Maja)

Dear Islamic brothers! It is sufficient for the preference of Ithmid kohl that our Beloved and Blessed Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ favored it. He صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ not only used it himself but also urged his slaves to use it and also stated its benefits. Therefore, only Ithmid kohl should be used if possible. We also come to know from the above-mentioned blessed Ahadith that Ithmid kohl improves vision as well as growing the hair of the eyelashes. It is said that Ithmid kohl is found in Isfahan (a city in Iran). Islamic scholars tell us that its color is black and it grows in Eastern countries. In any case, if Ithmid kohl is available, then it is preferred, otherwise, using any type of kohl will fulfill the Sunnah.

Method of Applying Kohl

The above-mentioned Ahadith also tell us that the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ used to apply kohl three times in both his blessed eyes and that was his frequent practice. However, in some other Ahadith, it is mentioned that he صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ would apply kohl three times in his right eye and two times in the left one. And in Shamail-e-Rasoolصَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ, it is stated that the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ would apply kohl two times in both eyes with the kohl holder and then would use it once to apply it in both of his blessed eyes.

                                                   (Wasail Al-Wusool ila Shamail Al-Rasool)

Therefore, we should also try to use kohl through these different methods i.e. sometimes, we could apply it three times in both eyes, sometimes three times in the right eye and two times in the left and sometimes, twice in both eyes and then once in both eyes. By doing this, all three methods approved by the Sunnah will be fulfilled. Apply kohl in the right eye first and then, in the left.

May the Almighty Allah also enable us to follow the Sunnah of applying kohl!