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K. S. A: Popular Kohl Brands Found To Be Unsafe
The Saudi Food and Drugs Agency has carried out tests on 9 Ithmid Kohl samples from some of the most popular and widely distributed brands. In a press release on its website, the agency found high levels of lead and bacterial contamination in all samples. The levels of lead found in the samples exceeded 10 times the allowed limit for lead in beauty products as per Saudi guidelines. Seven of the samples contained higher than allowed levels of bacteria. The agency posted the names of the products alongside images on... Read more...
History of Ithmid Kohl and the story of al-Zarqaa'a
Ithmid Kohl was known amongst the Arabs in pre-Islamic Jahiliyah times for its benefits for eyes and vision. There is a widely circulated and infamous story from this era highlighting how Ithmid Kohl can give strong vision. This is the story of a woman called Zarqaa’a al-Yamama. She was from a al-Yamama tribe and was famous amongst them for her exceptional vision. When another tribe wanted to launch an attack on the tribe of Zarqaa, they were so concerned with Zarqa seeing them from far and alerting her people in... Read more...
Benefits of Ithmid Surma/Kajal for the eyes
The especial Ithmid Surma/Kajal is the best type of Surma/Kajal to be used for the eyes. This is because it has been personally used and praised by prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), who was inspired by Allah , Glorified be he. Benefits of Ithmid Surma/ Kajal for the eyes 1. Ithmid Surma/Kajal cleanses the eyes of harmfull substances. This includes dirt, dust, germs as well as other chemicals which can harm your eyes in the long term. For example, Nitric oxide is a chemical substance that is produced inside... Read more...
Kohl can be harmfull but not genuine Ithmid (antimony) kohl
Kohl in Arabic is anything that is applied to the eye and/or its surroundings such as the eyelashes and eyebrows. Under this broader meaning, modern eyeliner and mascara products can also be regarded as kohl. Given this, the answer to the question : Is kohl harmfull ?, is yes and no. It all depends on what it is made of. People have used and still use different substances to adorn the eyes; essentially different types of kohl. For example, frankincense resin was used in ancient egypt as a form of... Read more...
Ithmid (antimony) Kohl : Beauty on a different level
Ithmid (antimony) kohl is recommended by the prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم for its eye health benefits. It is often the case that when the prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم recommends something or an action, it comes with extra bonus benefits. These benefits are not mentioned by the prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم because they are less important but are only realised when you start putting the prophet`s words into action. Ithmid (antimony) kohl is a case in point. As well as the major health benefits mentioned by the prophet,... Read more...
Ithmid (antimony) Kohl : what is it and why it is special ?
If you have never heard of Ithmid (antimony) Kohl, then reading this article aims to introduce you to Ithmid (antimony) kohl to you, making understand what it is and why it is important in Islam. Kohl in Arabic is anything that is applied to the eye and/or its surroundings such as eyelashes and eyebrows. Ithmid (antimony) is a type of a natural stone which when powdered is called Ithmid (antimony) Kohl and is used as a kohl for the eyes and the surrounding hair. A special Kohl Ithmid (antimony) Kohl... Read more...
A look at Hadith : Is Kohl really a Sunnah ?
As discussed previously , it is observed that Hadiths found within the Sunnah refer specifically to one type of Kohl: Ithmid Kohl. Since the word Kohl refers to , in Arabic, anything applied on the eyes and/or its related hair, it is incorrect to say that Kohl is a Sunnah. Rather, applying Ithmid Kohl , to the exclusion of other types of Kohl, is a Sunnah. Hadiths on Kohl are all referring to Ithmid Kohl عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رضي الله عنهماَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ :... Read more...
Clearing misconceptions about Kohl
What image comes to your mind as the word Kohl is mentioned? And how do you feel about it? Except those who have good understanding of the concept of Kohl in Islam, most people tend to have a wrong perception of Kohl, which is the reason why some men might shudder at or even oppose the idea of men applying Kohl. For many of us, Kohl conjures an image of a mascara-like substance used to darken and blacken the eyelashes and eyeborows, for the sole purpose of beautification and making... Read more...