The Sunnah of wearing Kohl

Chapter on the kohl of Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam
Shamaa-il Tirmidhi Contents

To apply (surmah, antimony, collyrium) in the eyes is mustabab. One should use kuhl with the intention of ajr (thawaab, reward). It benefits the eye and one receives ajr for following the sunnah also. Imaam Tirmidhi mentions five ahaadith in this chapter.
(48) Hadith Number 1

Ibn 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu says:"Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: 'Use kuhl made of ithmid on the eye; it brightens the eyesight, and strengthens and increases the growth of the eye lashes'. (Sayyidina Ibn'Abbaas Radiyallahu'Anhu also used to say) 'Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam had a small container for keeping kohl, from which he applied kohl in each eye three times every night"'.

Commentary

Ithmid is a special type of kohl which is reddish black in colour. It is obtained in the Eastern countries. Some of the learned say it is the Isfahaani kuhl, and other say it is the Totiya. Some 'ulama say, it means those who have good eyesight and it should be used by those with whose eyesight it agrees, otherwise a sick person's eyes will pain more by its use. It is more beneficial to apply kohl at the time of sleeping as it will remain longer in the eyes, and will penetrate more into the pores. There are different narrations on the number of times it should be applied in each eye. In a few it is stated that it should be applied three times in each eye, as mentioned above.
In other narrations it is stated that it should be put three times in the right eye and two times in the left eye. It is supposed that the variations are because of the different times of the narrations. At a certain time, Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi Wasallam applied it in one manner and at another time in the other manner. Haafiz Ibn Hajar, Mulla 'Ali Qaari and other 'ulama have preferred the first method (as given in the hadith under discussion). the first method has been narrated many times from Sayyidina Rasulullah Sallallahu' Alayhi Wasallam, as will be seen in the narration that follow.

(49) Hadith Number 2

Ibn 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu reports: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam applied kuhl of ithmid three times in each eye before sleeping'. In a narration also from Ibn 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu, it is reported: "Rasuluilah Sallallahu'Alayhi Wasallam had a small container for keeping kuhl, from which he applied in each eye kuhl three times before sleeping'.

(50) Hadith Number 3

Jaabir bin 'Abdullah Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallam said: 'Use the kuhl made from ithmid for the eyes. It brightens the vision and strengthens the growth of the eye lashes'.

(51) Hadith Number 4

Ibn 'Abbaas Radiyallahu 'Anhu says: "Rasulullah Sallallah 'Alayhi Wasallam has said: 'The best from among all the kuhl used by you is the one made from ithmid. It brightens the eyesight and strengthens the growth of the eye lashes"'.

Commentary

One of the narrators in the chain of this hadith is Bishr bin Mufaddal RA. The 'ulama wrote that he performed four hundred rak'ahs nafl daily, and it was his permanent practice to fast every alternate day.

(52) Hadith Number 5

'Abdullah bin 'Umar Radiyallahu 'Anhu related the same hadith from Rasulullah Sallallahu 'Alayhi Wasallarn that: "Verily use the kuhl made from ithmid. It brightens the vision and strengthens the growth of the eye lashes".

Commentary

In all the above narrations the use of kuhl made from ithmid has be stressed. Only those eyes are meant, that agree with the use of it, otherwise, because of certain eye conditions kuhl does not agree with some people, as was mentioned previously. The 'ulama have written that due to these commands and practices it is sunnah to use kuhl, and it is better to use the one made from ithmid. If one uses kuhl made from any other substance it will be regarded as sunnah, but the virtue is obtained by using kuhl made of ithmid.

Sunnah of Trimming Hair / Nails

Sunnah of Trimming Hair / Nails
Natural state

Zaid bin Arqam (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, 'He who does not remove bodily hair from below the navel, and does not trim the nails, and does not trim his moustache, is not one of us.' i.e. it is against our practice.

To grow the moustache below the lips is forbidden and a sin. Those who grow their nails long following fashion should be aware that this is a very serious matter and should be stopped as it is not fit for a Muslim to grow the nails, we should be representable and an example to the rest.

Natural things
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that, 'Five are the acts of fitra (natural inclination): 1) circumcision, 2) removing the hair below the navel, 3) trimming the moustache, 4) cutting the nails, and 5) plucking the hair under the arms.'

Before Jumu'ah
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that, 'The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) before going to Friday prayer would clip his nails and moustache.'

Every fifteenth day
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would get his nails pared every fifteen days.

Do not exceed forty days
Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, 'Do not let forty days elapse without trimming the moustache and paring the nails.'

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, 'To trim the moustache and nails and remove the hair under the arms and the hair below the navel we have been given a time to take them off, do not leave them for more than forty days (meaning trim them within forty days).'

Method of cutting nails
'Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates the way of cutting the nails: FOR THE RIGHT HAND: start of with the index finger, forefinger, ring finger and little finger, then moving onto the LEFT HAND: little finger, ring finger, forefinger, index finger, thumb and lastly the thumb of the right hand. Then to wash the hands after cutting the nails.

For toe nails - Start with the right foot small toe and proceed until the big toe, then start with the left foot big toe and & conclude with the small toe (Semi-circle).
There is no specified way recorded for trimming the nails but it is better to use the same method that Khilal (wiping in between the toes in ablution) is done.

Request
It is requested that you also follow this blessed Sunnah and cut your nails in this manner. The biggest benefit one can gain is that if you teach others the Sunnah and they act upon it then you will gain the reward for this until it is practised and passed on, Insha-Allah!

What to do with them'
After cutting the nails and hair of the body, one should collect them all and bury them, since we all are made from soil and thus the hair and nails should be put back to the earth. .

Manners of cutting the fingernails & hair

1. To remove the hair directly below the navel, under the arms and to trim the nails once a week is Mustahab (preferable), it is permissible after fifteen days and to leave it for after forty days is disliked (Makrooh). It is preferable on Thursday or Friday as it is stated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would do this before Jumu'ah Salaah.
2. To wash the fingers after trimming the nails is desirable.
3. Do not bite your nails as it is disliked and a predisposition to infectious diseases.
4. To get rid of the hair under the navel is Sunnah and the best day is Friday.
5. It is permissible to use hair removal cream.
6. It is Sunnah to pluck and there is no problem in shaving the hair under the arms.
7. Do not remove the hair from inside the nose as it could affect an illness of sense. 'Abd-Allah bin Basheer (may Allah's Mercy be upon him) said that, 'Tweezing of the nasal hair can lead to a disease called Aakilah (cancer or gangrene).'
8. If the eyebrows become long, then to trim them is permissible.
9. To take of hair in any part of the body when in the state of impurity (when bathing is obligatory) is disliked (Makrooh).
10. The hair and nails should be buried and to flush them is disliked (Makrooh) as there is a chance of illness spreading.
11. Women should put the hair that has been removed from the head, naval and under the arm in a place that no non-permissible man can see (Ghair Mehram). As this is part of the Aurah and should be covered even after removing from the body.
12. Four things should be buried, blood, hair, nails and the cloth that has been used for the menstrual period (Haiz).

Five Simple Grooming Tips for Muslim Men

Five Simple Grooming Tips for Muslim Men

Easy Ways to be Clean and Stylish

Clothes make the man, but having a clean and well-groomed body under those clothes is also important.
It is not simply enough for a man to wear a thobe or outfit if his hair is greasy and unwashed and his hands are filthy. These four simple and easy grooming tips can help any man make sure he's ready to put on that stylish outfit and go out on the town.

Start at the top – Shampoo and Conditioner

It's a very basic grooming step, but it's also very important. Unwashed or greasy hair is a huge turn-off for women, especially if the hair is long or tangled. Even if the plan is simply to throw a hat on, having unwashed hair can both feel, and smell, unpleasant. Fortunately, many companies  are now making 2 in 1 shampoos and conditioners for men, which will easily take care of this little chore.

Hair should be clean, well-groomed and neatly kept. Said 'Ata ibn Yasar, "Once a man came before the Prophet (peace be upon him) with his hair and beard unkempt. The Prophet (peace be upon him) made some gestures as though ordering the man to comb his hair. He did so, and upon his return, the Prophet (peace be upon him) remarked, 'Is this not better than one of you coming with dishevelled hair, looking like a devil?'" (reported by Malik in Al-Muwatta)


Face Facts – Scrub out Those Pores

Many men don't bother with face scrubs or creams, but both can be very useful and are an essential part of grooming. Face scrubs contain small particles to scrub away dead skin on the face and forehead, and are often recommended prior to shaving, to make the hair easier to remove.

Creams or lotions are also an option, as many men suffer from dry skin. A small amount of lotion in the 'T' zone – the bridge of the nose and forehead – after a shower can make a world of difference once the skin dries again. Properly used and over time, these creams can reduce or eliminate many dry skin issues that men face, either because of natural body chemistry or the kind of work they do.

Facial Hair

Keeping  beards is ofcourse important and the Sunnah, making sure they are well-kept is extremely important. If you wish to trim your moustache/neck hair there are several tips to keep in mind. First, start by moistening the face. This can be done by applying warm water, either by hand, with a warm washcloth or by being in the shower. The advantage to shaving in the shower is that the heat and moisture will open up pores and make the hair softer, and therefore easier, to remove.

Second, apply either shave cream or shave gel. Be sure to apply enough to cover the entire area that is going to be shaved, but there is no need to apply so much that it is dripping off of the face. A light coating is all that is required.

Next, give the shave gel or cream some time to do its work. I f in the shower, this is a good time to clean the rest of the body or scrub the back – but either way, give the gel or cream a few minutes to moisten and soften the skin and hair.

Hands and Nails – Clipping and Cleaning

Two of the commonly missed areas of men's grooming are the hands and nails. Annas (RadiAllaho Ta’ala Anho) relates that the Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalam) said, “Do not let forty days elapse without trimming the moustache and pairing the nails”. (Hadeeth taken from Muslim). Many men will condition and style their hair, shave well and then completely disregard their hands, even after a long day of work. Step one is to invest in a decent set of nail clippers. The small clippers which most women use will not do the job here – the larger version is preferable, especially for clipping toenails.

The Sunnah way of cutting the nails is as follows: Start with the right hand. Index finger, fore finger, ring finger and little finger. Then move onto the left hand. This time start with the little finger first, then ring finger, fore finger, index finger the thumb and lastly the thumb of the right hand. (repeat) (ask if the process is understood if not repeat a 3rd time) It is recommended to wash the hands after cutting the nails. The Messenger Sallallahu Alayhi Wasalam showed the following order when clipping his blessed toe nails: Again start with the right foot. Small toe first and proceed until the big toe. Then move onto the left foot. This time you start with the big toe and conclude with the small toe.

Once the nails have been clipped the next step is to clean the hands. A simple soap will do for the bulk of the dirt, but one often-missed area is under a man's nails, even if they are short. Most nail clippers will come with a small tool that can be used to remove any excess dirt under the nails, just be careful not to dig too deeply. Lastly, it can again be worthwhile to apply a small amount of lotion to the hands when coming out of the shower. This will allow the lotion to penetrate the skin while it is moist and will have a longer-lasting effect.

Sense of Smell :-)

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace & Blessings be upon him) said: "The best of perfumes is Musk" (Sahih Muslim) also Anas b. Malik relatesvthat the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:“Women and fragrance have been made dear to my affections, but prayer was made the sweetness of my eyes"

There are so many good quality oils and attars available today, go perfume shopping, take your wife with you... and discover your favourite fragrance!


"(by perfect muslim wife )