Henna in Islaam





Hair in Islaam:

“Whoever has hair should honour it.”
(Narrated by Aboo Hurayrah in Aboo Daawood no. 4151).

The explanation of ‘honour it’ (ikraam) is to make it beautiful by:
·        washing it,
·        oiling it and
·        combing it

(Awn al Ma’bood vol. 11 pg 221)

Grey hair in Islaam:

“...the Prophet (SallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) passed away at the age of 60 and he scarcely had 20 white hairs on his head and beard.”

The Prophet (SallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said,

There will be a people at the end of time who will use black dye like the breasts of pigeons, they will not smell the fragrance of paradise.” (Aboo Daawood no. 4200).

Abee Quhaafah was brought on the Day of the Conquest of Makkah. His hair and beard were white like the hyssop plant (white flowers and its fruit are like white hair. So the Messenger of Allaah (SallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam) said,

Change this with something but avoid black.” (Jaabir bin ‘Abdullaah in Muslim no.5509)

“Do not pluck out grey hair. If any believer grows a grey hair in Islaam, he will have light on the Day of Resurrection (Sufyaan’s version). Yahyaa’s version: Allaah will record on his behalf a good deed for it, and will blot out a sin for it.”
(Narrated by ‘Amr bin Shu’ayb’s Grandfather in Aboo Dawood no.4190)

Imaam Nawawi said that it is recommended (mustahab) to dye white hair with yellow or red but forbidden to dye it with black.

Some of the companions used to dye their grey hairs and some used to leave them. There is a narration from al Hakam bin Amr al Ghifaaree who said,

“My brother Raafi’ and I visited ‘Umar bin al Khattaab. I had dyed my hair with henna and my brother had dyed his hair yellow (sufrah). So ‘Umar said, ‘this is the dye of Islaam’ and he said to my brother, ‘this is the dye of faith, eemaan.”
(Awn al Ma’bood Sharh Aboo Daawood. Vol. 11 p 258).




Dr. Saalih Fawzaan comments:

“Grey hair is a reminder of death. So if you see grey hair then prepare yourself for death because nothing comes after grey hair except death. In the explanation of the aayah:

37. Therein they will cry: "Our Lord! bring us out, we shall do righteous good deeds, not (the evil deeds) that we used to do." (Allâh will reply): "Did we not give you lives long enough, so that whosoever would receive admonition, - could receive it? and the warner came to you. so taste you (the evil of your deeds) for the Zâlimûn (polytheists and wrong­doers, etc.) there is no helper." [The Noble Qur’aan. Soorah Faatir 35:37]

In this context ‘warner’ means grey hair. So if a person sees grey hair then he knows that his time is near and that his youth has gone, just like a plant that turns yellow. Nothing remains apart from its harvest. So (ta’ahab)......death and repent to Allaah. Know that you are at the end of your life. Even if you dyed it black, shaved it or plucked it, it would not benefit you.” [1]

There is a hadeeth which states:

“Allaah has left no excuse for a man who reaches the age of sixty.”[2]

(Because the Messengers and the truth have had time to reach them before they die so that they should believe in Allaah and worship Him alone).

Henna in Islaam

Henna is a plant whose green leaves are ground into a powder. This powder is mixed with water and used to dye hair and skin (orange/red/mahogany).
Katam is also a plant with green leaves. It is also ground into a powder and then made into a paste the same way as henna. However this plant dyes dark grey on its own and when mixed with henna it tones down the henna to dark brown. (When katam is boiled, the water becomes ink to write with).[3]



Rulings Regarding Henna and Wudhoo[4]
Taken from Fataawa al Lajnah ad Daa’imah Lilbuhooth al ‘Ilmiyyah wal Iftaa’ (www.alifta.org)

(Part No. 5; Page No. 114)
Q: Does the oil that women use on their hair prevent water from reaching the head, which nullifies the Wudu' (ablution) and Ghusl (full ritual bath)?

A: No, the oil which is applied to the hair does not prevent water from reaching the head as henna, and similar substances.
Q: What is the ruling on applying nail polish?

A: Coloring nails with henna or other substances that beautify them is permissible if these things are (ceremonially pure) and do not prevent water from reaching the skin or nails when performing Wudu' (ablution) or Ghusl (bath following major ceremonial impurity). However, if the substance has body, it must be removed before performing Wudu' or Ghusl, in order not to prevent water from reaching the nail. This means that it is permissible to use whatever beautifies nails, such as henna or polish, provided that what has body of these things must be removed before performing Wudu' or Ghusl in order not to prevent water from reaching the nails. Using henna and things that have no body, which merely color the nails in red or black, do not affect
(Part No. 5; Page No. 244)
Wudu' or Ghusl. However, substances, which have body and prevent water from reaching the skin, must be removed.
(Part No. 5; Page No. 250)

Q: A questioner asks: I use liquid kohl. This kind of kohl is a dark line that you apply outside the eye, which forms a strip. It may accumulate and form a layer, so is it permissible to perform Wudu' (ablution) while wearing this kohl?

A: If the kohl leaves a layer that prevents water from reaching the skin, it must be removed. It is not permissible to have this kind of kohl during Wudu' or Ghusl (bath following major ceremonial impurity). If this kohl is a mere coloring that does not prevent water from reaching the skin, such as the color of henna and the like, there is nothing wrong with it. However, if it produces a layer or film that prevents water from reaching the skin, it must be removed before performing Wudu' and Ghusl. The same ruling applies to henna if it is a mere color without body.



The first question of Fatwa no. 15888

Q 1: I would like to inquire about henna. It is a substance used by men to dye their white hair, whether in the head or in the beard, so that it becomes red, and by women to dye their white hair or decorate their hands and feet. Is this valid or not?

(Part No. 24; Page No. 108)
A: it is Mustahab (desirable) for men and women to dye their white hair with any color other than black, according to the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him), "Change the colour of the white hair, but avoid black." whether by using henna or any substance that gives another color. As for decoration by henna, it is one of the characteristics of women; it is impermissible for men, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) cursed the men who imitate women. As for using henna as a medication when necessary, it is permissible for both men and women, according to the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him), Treat yourselves medically, but don't use anything unlawful. 
The fourth question of Fatwa no. 6193

Q: It is reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that Wudu’ (ablution) is not valid if there is paste, nail polish, or mud on the fingers. However, I saw some women putting henna on their hands and feet - and this is a paste - and they perform Salah (Prayer) with it. Is this permissible, bearing in mind that when they are forbidden to do it they say that it is Tahir (ritually pure)?



A: All praise be to Allah Alone, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, and his family and Companions.

There is no Hadith reported that carries these words, as far as we know. What remains on the hand and feet from henna is just its color, and this does not have any effect on Wudu’, as this has no thickness as paste, nail polish, or mud do. These things have a thickness that prevents water from reaching the skin. Therefore, it is not permissible to perform Wudu’ if these things remain, because they prevent water from reaching the skin. However, if the henna is a thick substance on the hands or feet which prevents water from reaching the skin, it should be removed in the same way paste and the like should.

May Allah grant us success! May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions!

Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta’











(Vol. 5. p218)



Medicinal Uses of Henna throughout history:




Author
Medicinal uses of henna
1
Ibn al Qayyim
(died 751AH/
14th century )
Burns
Mouth ulcers, oral thrush, canker sores
Infected swellings
Strengthens nails
Makes hair grow and strengthens it
Blisters and ulcers on legs and body


When its flowers are mixed with warm wax and rose oil, it is good for pains of the side.
When its flowers are put between the folds of woolen clothing, they scent it and keep moths away…
2
Al Baghdadi
Mouth ulcers, canker sores
Swelling and inflammation
Use its boiled water for burns
Treat broken nails
Prevents small pox going near eyes
3
Ibn Sina (Avicenna)
Astringent for wounds
Burns
Eyewash
Leprosy and gout
Henna and vinegar put on forehead for headaches
4
Dr. Al Naseemi
(contemporary)
Abrasions from walking bare foot
Fungal infections between toes
(astringent causes skin to contract, dries and hardens skin preventing it from harbouring infection)
5
Dr. Samas Qaasi
(contemporary)
Fungal infections
Heals wounds
Purifies scalp of germs, parasites and excess oily secretions
Dandruff
Works to reduce sweat in those who sweat too much


Inhale the henna flower perfume to cure headaches





In America some cancer patients are using henna to cool their hands and feet and reduce the side effects of radiation therapy.
Some hospitals are using henna as a natural and safe dye to mark places on the body for therapy.


References:

1.     “Henna through the Ages” by Dr. Muhammad Nizaar ad Daqr (in Arabic)
2.     “Healing with the Medicine of the Prophet (SallAllaahu alayhi wa sallam)” by Ibn al Qayyim.
3.     “Islamic Medicine the Key to a better Life” by Dr. Yusuf al Hajj Ahmad. Darussalam 2010.


[1] Ittifhaaf at Tulaab be sharh Mandhoomatil Aadaab by Dr. Saalih bin Fawzaan bin ‘Abdullaah al Fawzaan. p267. 2005.
[2] Narrated by Aboo Hurayrah in Bukhaaree. The Abridgement of Ibn Katheer vol. 8 p157 Darussalam.
[3] Awn al Ma’bood Sharh Aboo Daawood vol. 11 p261
[4] Ritual cleansing with water for the five daily compulsary prayers.


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