English QNA
#54: Ablution with Make-up On
Question:
What is the ruling of a person performing ablution with her make-up on?
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, all praise for Allah SWT, praise and salutations to our beloved Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his family, companions and all those who follow his footsteps to the Last Day.
From Abdullah bin Amr R.Anhuma, he said:
تَخَلَّفَ عَنَّا النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِي سَفْرَةٍ سَافَرْنَاهَا فَأَدْرَكَنَا وَقَدْ أَرْهَقَتْنَا الصَّلَاةُ وَنَحْنُ نَتَوَضَّأُ فَجَعَلْنَا نَمْسَحُ عَلَى أَرْجُلِنَا فَنَادَى بِأَعْلَى صَوْتِهِ وَيْلٌ لِلْأَعْقَابِ مِنْ النَّارِ مَرَّتَيْنِ أَوْ ثَلَاثًا
Once the Prophet (ﷺ) remained behind us in a journey. He joined us while we were performing ablution for the prayer which was overdue. We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so the Prophet (ﷺ) addressed us in a loud voice and said twice or thrice: “Save your heels from the fire.” [1]
This hadith shows the importance of properly performing our ablution and ensuring that the ablution water is thoroughly spread to all parts of the ablution body parts.
If there is anything that hinders the water from washing the ablution body parts, the ablution is invalid. Imam al-Nawawi said: “If there is wax, flour or henna and others of which it hinders water from touching the skin of the body parts, then its purification is invalid, regardless of whether it is a little or a lot. However, if there is a residue of ink or henna on his hands or other body parts without its matter, or the residue of diluted oil where water is permeable and able to get to the skin, flow on it and doesn’t stick on it, then his purification is valid.” [2]
Likewise, among the valid conditions of ablution is as stated by Syeikh Nawawi al-Bantani: “…there is nothing that prevents the ablution water from coming into contact with it such as frying fat, wax and henna. It is different if it is just the residue ink of henna [there is no issue for this].” [3]
Hence, if the cosmetic is waterproof and it prevents water from reaching the skin, then it is obligatory to first remove it completely before performing the ablution. However, it is forgiven if the residual make-up is too little that it doesn’t prevent water from reaching the skin. Wallahu a’lam.
[1] Narrated by al-Bukhari, no. 60.
[2] al-Majmu’ Syarh al-Muhazzab, 1:467.
