Hejaz or Hijaz is the region in Saudi Arabia in which Mecca and Medina are located. The city of Jeddah is also part of Hijaz. Surrounde by mountains and valleys, these region is rich in mineral deposits. And amongst these mineral rocks is ithmid rocks, from which the hejazi ithmid kohl is made from.
Two types of Ithmid kohl are found in Hejaz :
- Black Ithmid kohl
- Red Ithmid kohl
Although referred to as red, the colour of these kohl is more like light burgundy. It looks the same as the isfahani ithmid kohl to the untrained eyes but it is slighly lighter than isfahani.
Difference between red and black hejazi ithmid kohl types
Customers ask about the difference between the red hijazi ithmid and the black type.
Both kohl types are ithmid and have all the benefits of ithmid kohl mentioned in the Sunnah. Both are also from Hijaz in Saudi Arabia.
However, the difference lies in that the red type is much lighter in weight and once ground into powder it is more smoother and finer than the black one. Because of this, it could be better for people with sensitive eyes.
These characteristics of the red hijazi ithmid arise partly from it containing less impurities than the black type. It is also partly due to slight difference in chemistry as it is well known in Geology and Chemistry that same type of rock can have varying chemical structure depending on location and the environment around it.
Using ithmid Kohl
- The Sunnah is to apply Ithmid Kohl an odd-number of times in each eye, ideally 3 times in each eye. The prophet صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ said : "If anybody amongst you applies Kohl (in his eye), he has to do that in odd numbers". .
And in Sunan Ibn Majah and others, Ibn Abbas, (Radiya Allahu Anhuma) said: "The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) used to have a Kohl container and used to apply Kohl 3 times in each eye".
- It is best to apply Ithmid Kohl when going to sleep, as this was the common practice of the prophet.This allows for maximum absorption and benefit as the eyes are closed and resting.
- Women can also apply it during the day as a mascara/eyeliner for beautification while being mindful not do this in public to avoid attracting attention as highlighted by scholars.
