The Kuhl of the Prophet Muhammad SAW

Introduction

To apply kuhl i.e. (antimony, collyrium, surma) in the eyes is mustabab. It is recommended as it is the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. One should use kuhl with the intention of obtaining reward from Allah SWT for practising the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW. The kuhl has beneficial medical properties too - fit for Muslims.

Imam Tirmidhi mentions five Ahadith about this in his Shamaa-il:


HADITH 1

Abdullah ibn Abbas RA says:

"Rasulullah SAW said: "Use kuhl made of ithmid on the eye; it brightens the eyesight, and strengthens and increases the growth of the eye lashes"."

Abdullah ibn Abbas RA also used to say:

"Rasulullah SAW had a small container for keeping kuhl, from which he applied kuhl in each eye three times every night."


COMMENTARY

Ithmid is a special type of kuhl 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 (i.e. it is encouraged for) 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 kuhl 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, Rasulullah SAW applied it in one manner and at another time in the other manner.

Hafiz Ibn Hajar RA, Mulla Ali Qari RA and other Ulama have preferred the first method - as given in the Hadith under discussion. The first method has been narrated many times from Rasulullah SAW - as will be seen in the narration that follow,


HADITH 2

Abdullah ibn Abbas RA reports:

"Rasulullah SAW applied kuhl of ithmid three times in each eye before sleeping."

In a narration also from Abdullah ibn Abbas RA, it is reported:

"Rasulullah SAW had a small container for keeping kuhl, from which he applied in each eye kuhl three times before sleeping."


HADITH 3

Jaabir bin Abdullah RA says:

"Rasulullah SAW said: "Use the kuhl made from ithmid for the eyes. It brightens the vision and strengthens the growth of the eye lashes"."


HADITH 4

Abdullah ibn Abbas RA says:

"Rasulullah SAW 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 Nawafil (optional Sunnat Solats) daily, and it was his permanent practice to fast every alternate day.


HADITH 5

Abdullah bin Umar RA related the same Hadith from Rasulullah SAW 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 eyes that agree with the use of it is encouraged, 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.