Too much beautification or self-adornment is not allowed in Islam. As you know, makeup is a form of beautification; hence, there is confusion among Muslims, especially women, about whether makeup is haram. What does Islam say about wearing makeup?
Makeup is not haram as long as wearing makeup does not breach certain conditions. And everyone should maintain modesty while wearing makeup as well.
We’ll discuss in detail what conditions you should not forget while wearing makeup so let’s begin-
Is Wearing Makeup Halal?
Yes, wearing makeup is halal, even though Islam is all about modesty and simplicity. Every woman, irrespective of her religion, loves to beautify themselves. And Muslim scholars worldwide agree that it is permissible for both men and women to wear makeup. They believe Allah likes beauty and there is nothing wrong with adorning oneself.
But they must remember certain conditions and not breach them; otherwise, makeup will be considered haram. These conditions are-
- Muslim women should not wear makeup to attract non-mahram men. In simple words, women shouldn’t wear makeup to attract other men. A Muslim woman should beautify herself only for her husband and present herself in the best shape before her husband. Moreover, wearing makeup to look good in front of other women or in front of her mahram is also allowed.
- Makeup should not contain any haram substance like collagen. Makeup with the fat of dead animals that are not slaughtered in the name of Allah is haram, and women must not use it.
- If makeup contains harmful chemicals that can cause harmful impact is also not allowed.
- Makeup or any beautification process that has a lasting impact on the body is not allowed. Anything that is permanent is considered altering the creation of Allah; therefore, men or women must not use them.
- Women must not wear any makeup while performing Wudu. Water should touch their skin for the purification process to be complete; therefore, any kind of layer should be removed from their skin.
According to some religious preachers, Muslim women should not wear makeup while going out of their house because their faces will be exposed to non-mahram men. Revealing their beauty might cause attraction or temptation among other men; hence, women must keep themselves modest while going out.
But again, some scholars say that women can wear little make-up in front of non-mahram men as well to cover scars or acne.
Here is what the Quran has to say about wearing makeup-
“And tell the believing women to lower her gaze and guard their chastity, and not to reveal their adornments, except what normally appears. Let them draw their veils over their chests, and not reveal their ˹hidden˺ adornments3 except to their husbands, their fathers, their fathers-in-law, their sons, their stepsons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons or sisters’ sons, their fellow women, those ˹bond women˺ in their possession, male attendants with no desire, or children who are still unaware of women’s nakedness. Let them not stomp their feet, drawing attention to their hidden adornments. Turn to Allah in repentance all together, O believers, so that you may be successful.”
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَـٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَـٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَـٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّـٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
Final Thoughts
Going by the religious text and preaching of renowned scholars, Muslim women can wear makeup as long as they follow the customs. Makeup is only for adorning one’s face and should not be intended to lure other men.
