Applying Kohl is Mustahab

Kohl ("Ithmad" or"Ithmid"),  is a lead free ancient remedy. According to Islamic texts, pure "Ithmad" strengthens the nerves of the eye, and acts as a "cure all" for ocular diseases. It is highly recommended for the elderly whose eyesight has weakened. In this case, it is better to mix the Kohl with Musk. 

It dissolves excess flesh around ulcers and closes the wounds while cleansing the areas around them. It relieves headaches when blended with pure, watery  honey, prevents the blistering of burns, helps cure skin damages caused by fire and it nourishes the eyelashes making them grow nice and long.

 Kohl is beneficial for the eye before going to sleep, especially since the eyes will not be moving thus the kohl will have the most favorable effect.

Here’s the sunna way of putting kohl on ur eyes

 To apply Surma, Kohl (collyrium) to the eyes is Mustahab (peferable). Besides the benefit to the eyes, one would also get recompense (Thawab) for following the prophetic practice:

1.It is reported from Ibn Abbas (Ra) that the Prophet (SAW) used to apply the collyriyum of Ithmid (a mineral product) thrice to each eye every night before retiring to bed."

2.Hafiz Ibn Hajar and Mulla Ali Qari have preferred those traditions which indicate that the kohl-rod was applied to each eyes thrice.

3.Jabir (Ra) reports that the Prophet (SAW) has advised to apply the collyrium of Ithmid to the eyes as it increases the light of the eyes and helps grow the eye-lashes." (Shamaa'il)

There is no fixed time in applying Kohl( Surma) in general two to three times each eye (or three times in the right eye and twice in the left one) but applying it before retiring to bed is beneficial. (Ahsanul Fataawa Vol. 9 Pg. 74)

 And as i have mentioned in myprevious posts about the Kohl, use the safety product if u wanna benefit from the things u have read.

Once again i say to u , Guerlain kohl, Rani kohl and Al Ithmid kohl r best to use.

For those who never seen "Al Ithmid" and wanna buy it i will show u a picture with the product inshalla.

Beside kohl, the oil grow lashes or conditioner will complete ur  beauty.

 I mention that in Islamic point of  view, kohl must be applied only in front of ur mahram and not outside the house.

Kohl danger !

Kohl has traditionally been used in the Middle East and its use dates back to ancient Egyptian times.Just think Cleopatra’s black rimmed eyes. Later on some women believed that blackening their eyelids and eyebrows would protect them from the glance of the Evil Eye, and also prevent them from transmitting the Evil Eye to another person. 

Most women applied kohl every week, or for any social occasion, except during Ramadan, when kohl and all hennas were set aside.

Women often adjusted their eyebrow and eye paints to compliment their tattoos ( as u see the below .picture - the year 1097 woman with eyes and eyebrow tatoo ).

Homemade Preparation

Preparation of homemade kajal begins with dipping a clean, white, thin muslin cloth, about four by four inches square, in sandalwood paste or the juice of Alstonia scholaris,which is then dried in the shade. This dip and dry process is done all day long. After sunset, a wick is made out of the cloth, which is used to light a mud lamp filled with castor oil. A brass vessel is kept over the lamp, leaving a little gap, just enough for the oxygen to aid the burning of the lamp. This is left burning overnight. In the morning, one or two drops of pure ghee (clarified cow's butter) or castor oil is added to the soot which now lines the brass vessel. It is then stored in a clean dry box.

All the ingredients used in this preparation (sandalwood/alstonia,castor oil, ghee) are believed to have medicinal properties. They are still used in Indian therapies. India and Pakistan are the two largest producers of traditional kohl pencils. . But let’s see next if the claim of being beneficial for health is it true or not.

WARNINGS

Education is needed to inform long time users of traditional lead kohl of the potential hazards which include not only lead poisoning but also eye allergies and infections.

Manufacturers should be encouraged to use alternatives to lead kohl with other black pigments.

Consumers should be aware of the large amount of kohl lead exported worldwide.

Lamp-black was the most common source of pigment, though galena, (lead sulphide), and stibnite (an antimony compound), were also used for black, and copper compounds for blues and greens. These metals were toxic to bacteria carried by flies and contaminated water, so they provided some relief from conjunctivitis and other bacterial eye infections. 

The irritation from having soot in one’s eyes caused tearing, which kept the eyes washed clean of contaminants, grit, and bacteria. 

However, these toxic metals also entered the bloodstream of the wearer and the traditional formulae with these metals should never be used when there is safer cosmetic eye paint available.

Lead-contaminated kohl use has been linked to increased levels of lead in the bloodstream, putting its users at risk of poisoning and lead intoxication.

 Complications of lead poisoning include anemia, growth retardation, low IQ, convulsions,  Among the effects associated with high levels of exposure are kidney problems, and neurological damage that may include seizures, coma and death. 

Even at relatively low levels, chronic exposure to lead may lead to learning and behavior problems and in severe cases, death. 

Anemia from lead poisoning is of special concern in Middle Eastern and South Asian countries where other forms of anemia are prevalent — including iron deficiency anemia (from malnutrition) and hemoglobinopathy (sickle cell anemia, thalassemia).

IMPORTANT:

Before using a kohl beware in mind that kohl is it illegal in US because of the high level risk. . 

If u use kohl pencils, sticks or loose kohl, check where has been manufactured and the ingredient listing if available. 

If u are not sure, buy a kohl pencil from a well recognized company. 

I will recommend u Rani kohl, MD, saudi and egiptians pure kohl's r safe.

My favorite is it Terracotta Loose Powder Liner Kohl from Guerlain. They have got 3 colors, the turquoise is so gorgeous for the summer time, and the balck which i love it is it sensational.

It contains little glitter on it and it's a long stay. I could not find any difference  between the pure arabic kohl and Guerlain kohl .

This is what i'm talking about. U should also try this if u wanna have a safe product.
Beware of : Hashmi hohl,kajal,surma made in Pakistan and India.







Enjoy the video - how to apply Guerlain Kohl in traditional way

How to apply kohl

"Kohl" ( kuhl, kahal, or kohol) is a black substance used by the women of the Arabian Peninsula as eyeliner and eyeshadow. 

Apart from making the eyes look brighter and larger, kohl was once believed to have value as a protection against eye disease. 

It's blackness also controls the sun's glare in the desert, and thus it is used by both men and women of the desert.

Kohl is powdered antimony, a brittle metallic elementary body of bright bluish-white colour and flaky crystalline texture. Artemis imports, a belly dance mail-order supply house, sells both light and darker grades of kohl of fine quality. 
It can also be found at middle eastern grocery stores, but beware of any powder which does not appear to be very finely and consistently ground. 

 The "kohl" pencils used in modern makeup are a completely different item and should not be applied in the manner the powder is applied, next to the eye. 

HOW TO APPLY THE  KOHL

To apply kohl u need:

 1) a small stick or large toothpick( if u don't have)which has both ends rounded off. 

Place this in olive oil overnight so that it soaks into the wood. 

 U may also use the olive oil to clean your stick after use.

 2). a packet of kohl powder ( as u see up in the picture ). 

IMPORTANT: If u wear contact lenses u must apply kohl BEFORE inserting lenses( it might damage ur contact lenses ).

To proceed with application: pick up stick in right hand to apply to right eye.

 Dip tip of stick into kohl powder. 

Hold stick parallel to eye, and starting at the inner point of the eye, run it between the eyelids ACTUALLY TOUCHING THE EYE. ( just as u see in the below picture). It doesn't hurt, really. 

Re-powder stick, pick up in left hand and repeat on the other side.

 U may also enhance ur eyebrows, or draw points off the end of your eyes.

U will feel when it is in the correct location, and u will have ur eyelids nicely black around the roots of the eyelashes with no white skin showing. Kohl is water-proof but not "spit-proof", which is a great atribute in hot climates. 

A tiny amount of powder will last u a couple of years, and it's much healthier for ur eye than commercial cosmetics which u wouldn't dare put into ur eyes.

IT'S VERY IMPORTANT TO KNOW THAT NOT ALL KOHL'S ARE  HEALTHY AND TO MAKE IT SURE U MUST BUY GOOD ONE FROM A WELL KNOW COMPANY.Avoid the one made in Pakistan and India, they r very dangerous , but regarding this i will post a different topic with the special warn.  

Excess powder will gather at the corner of the eyes and u can remove it. It is much less artificial looking than painting a line outside the lids with commercial eyeliners; people will notice ur eyes, but they won't be quite sure why.