“We have certainly created man in the best of stature” – Al-Quran 95:4
In contemporary society, we are constantly bombarded with images and messages that tell us we aren’t attractive enough. We are surrounded by unrealistic standards and goals set up by mainstream media to help them churn in money daily.
Although Allah created us in the best of ways, there is no vanity in taking care of one’s beauty and health to enhance what Allah has already given us. Here are a few halal ways you can beautify and improve yourself.
“Take advantage of five before five: your youth before your old age, your health before your illness, your riches before your poverty, your free time before your work, and your life before your death.” [Shu’ab al-Iman]
Follow the Sunnah:
An easy guide to halal beauty and self care is to follow the lifestyle of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). These Sunnah’s involve removing pubic hair, using a miswak plucking armpit hair and not allowing your nails to grow for more than 40 nights. Other sunnah methods of beautification are the application of henna/mehndi and kohl/kajal. The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) recommended kohl, saying it brightens vision and makes eyelashes stand out it is said he “used to apply kohl to his right eye three times, and to his left eye twice”.
Remove excess hair:
While it is haram to remove or shorten the eyebrows, scholars have advised that the removal of excess hair from other parts of the body such as the upper lip and chin is permissible for women. This also involves hair from the arms and legs. Methods of removal such as razors and laser hair removal are all permissible as long as it does not cause harm and is done by a woman (laser).
Use halal cosmetics:
This might seem like an obvious one, but making sure the ingredients in a cosmetic product is halal is a perfect way of beautifying yourself Islamically. This means no harmful components (paraben, sodium lauryl, synthetic colours, SLS), no animal-derived ingredients and no alcohol. Prophet Muhammad PBUH once said: “there should be neither causing harm nor reciprocating harm.” Most hair dyes in beauty salons and shops tend to contain harsh ingredients and cause coating on the hair that nullifies your wudhu so henna/mehndi based dyes are rising in popularity.
Finding halal and natural makeup and skincare alternatives is important in keeping yourself on the right path, so purchasing from vegan and halal-friendly brands is a good way to go. It’s also not too difficult to whip up your own face mask or body scrub at home if you prefer!
Restore your hair health:
“There is healing in black cumin for all diseases except death”
There are several natural ways to improve your hair health and one of them is black cumin. Black cumin seed holds an array of beneficial components from Vitamin A – C, potassium, iron, magnesium, zinc, calcium and linoleic acid. It has been found to help with several types of ailments across the centuries from diarrhoea, asthma and even dry coughs. As a hair oil, it contains the elements to moisturise your hair, prevent greying, reduce hair loss and keep frizz down. It also contains two antihistamines, nigellone and thymoquinone, which help to nourish, strengthen and regrow hair.
Remember, while improving your external beauty, it is even more important to beautify yourself from the inside through zikr and following the Sunnah.
How do you keep your beauty regime halal? Please share below x
