Can you do wudu with makeup on and other FAQs on Islam and fashion

Clothing is an important part of human life. The Quran acknowledges this, saying that the clothing we are blessed with is naturally used to cover us. Allah s.w.t. says in the Quran

يَـٰبَنِىٓ ءَادَمَ قَدْ أَنزَلْنَا عَلَيْكُمْ لِبَاسًۭا يُوَٰرِى سَوْءَٰتِكُمْ وَرِيشًۭا

“O children of Adam! We have provided for you clothing to cover your nakedness and as an adornment.”

(Surah Al-A’raf, 7:26)

Apart from the functional aspect of clothing, from this verse, the Quran also tells us that it is part of the human norm to take clothing as an adornment. In other words, humans tend to beautify themselves by the clothes they wear. History can attest to this with so many different kinds of garments that stretches from the far east up to the west.

As a matter of fact, it is part of our religion to dress well and appropriately. The Prophet s.a.w. taught us to maintain a decent and presentable look, especially when we’re meeting others or even when we’re around our family members.

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. taught us in a hadith

إِنَّكُمْ قَادمُونَ عَلى إِخْوانِكُمْ. فَأَصْلِحُوا رِحَالَكمْ، وأَصْلحوا لبَاسَكُمْ حَتَّى تَكُونُوا كَأَنَّكُمْ شَامَة في النَّاسِ، فَإِنَّ اللَّه لاَ يُحبُّ الفُحْشَ وَلاَ التَّفَحُش

“You are on your way to meet your brothers, so set your saddles and clothes in order so that you look tidy and graceful. Allah neither likes untidiness nor rough manners”

(narrated by Imam Muslim)

This hadith informs us that the Prophet s.a.w. encouraged us to look presentable. The Prophet s.a.w. himself would maintain this presentable look. However, he also reminded us to not be excessive, especially at the expense of impressing others.

Bearing in mind that we must also be aware of the rulings that come along with developing fashion world, here are 9 of the most searched questions on fashion from Google:

1. Can Muslim men wear platinum?

Muslim men are allowed to wear pure platinum. What is not allowed is for them to wear gold. 

The Prophet s.a.w. did not allow men to wear garments that are specifically made for women such as gold and silk. Platinum does not fall under that category. There may be a common misconception that platinum is also considered as white gold, which is not true. It is true, however, that white gold is prohibited for men to adorn. 

2. Can Muslims wear alcohol perfume?

Yes, Muslims can use perfume with alcohol. It is also allowed for Muslims to use hand sanitizers that contain alcohol.

What is prohibited are intoxicants such as alcoholic drinks such as beer,  wine and champagne which have gone through a specific process that results in intoxication. As a result of this intoxication, it is prohibited to consume.

3. Can Muslims wear pigskin shoes?

The dominant juristic view in this region requires any contact with pigskin to go through a process of sertu or ritual cleansing. Based on this view, it is therefore wearing pigskin shoes may cause inconvenience and therefore choosing other alternatives would be ideal. 

This issue, however, may differ on some matters of urgency such as medical purposes. For example, the Fatwa Committee concludes that the rotavirus vaccine is halal and pure, as the impure elements have been removed from the final product. Here is a fatwa that provides a deeper explanation.

As consumers, we should be mindful of the products we buy and the things we use. We can enquire from the shop to find out more. It is not just about pigskin products that we should be concerned about, but we also need to be ethical consumers by ensuring we use products made from ethically-sourced materials.

4. Can you pray with makeup on?

Wearing makeup does not invalidate a prayer. 

However, in order to perform the prayer, one must be in the condition of having the wudhu (ritual ablution). It is, therefore, necessary to remove makeup when intending to perform the wudhu so that the makeup does not hinder water from being in direct contact with the skin.

If a person wears makeup after making the wudhu, the prayer is also valid. Nonetheless, do ensure that your cosmetics do not contain impurities. 

5. Can Muslims wear braces?

Yes, you can. Wearing braces in order to adjust the alignment of the teeth or resolve other dental issues is permitted.

6. What is baju kurung? What is baju melayu?

Baju kurung is the traditional Malay clothing we often wear during Hari Raya. While other countries might associate baju kurung with the ladies and baju melayu with men, here in Singapore, many of us use the term ‘baju kurung’ for both men and women.

The baju kurung for men is a long-sleeved shirt, traditionally worn with five buttons or pins and is regarded by some as symbolising the 5 pillars of Islam, being - The Syahadah (proclamation of faith), to fulfil the Prayer, the Zakat, the Fasting (of Ramadhan) and the Hajj pilgrimage (for the able). 

Traditionally, it also has three pockets that signify the three pillars of our religion i.e. Iman, Islam & Ihsan. The shirt with a collar is called Cekak Musang, while the shirt without a collar with just one button is called Teluk Belanga. The full-length pants are often coupled with kain samping folded around the wearer’s waist.

7. What is Islamic fashion?

There is no specific way to define what is ‘Islamic fashion’. Islam is a religion that does not only recognise one cultural expression. There is no cultural hegemony in Islam. 

There is a misconception that Islamic fashion is only what we see in the Arab culture such as abayas and jubah.

It is true to some extent that Prophet s.a.w. loved to wear the qamis as narrated by his wife Ummu Salamah r.a. But the Prophet s.a.w. also wore garments from other cultural backgrounds too. In a hadith narrated by Anas bin Malik r.a.

كَانَ أَحَبَّ الثِّيَابِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الْحِبَرَةُ

“The article of clothing most beloved to the Messenger of Allah s.a.w. that he used to wear was the hibara”

(Sahih Muslim)

Our scholars have made commentaries explaining that the hibara is a Yemeni (southern Arabia) mantle made from cotton. In another hadith, narrated by the companion Al-Mughirah Ibn Shu’ba r.a. 

أنَّ النَّبيَّ صلَّى اللَّهُ عليهِ وسلَّمَ لبسَ جُبَّةً روميَّةً ضيِّقةَ الكُمَّينِ

“The Prophet s.a.w. once wore a long Roman-Byzantine jubba over-garment that had narrow sleeves”

(Sunan At-Tirmizi)

Rasulullah s.a.w. wore the clothing of the people of the time and in accordance with the occasion. He taught us to wear modest, tidy and presentable clothes, to not be excessive in the way we spend and wear our clothes, and to ensure that we cover our aurat. 

8. Can Muslims wear saree?

Yes, and as seen in the previous question above, we can conclude from the answer that it is permissible for one to wear their traditional and cultural attire as long as it covers the aurat and the person is dressed appropriately. 

Thus, an Indian Muslim does not need to forgo his or her cultural heritage. You can wear your saree or your kurta. 

This applies to people of other ethnicities as well.

Read Can Muslims celebrate Chinese New Year?

9. What is the dua for wearing clothes?

Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. taught us a few Dua to recite when wearing the clothes:

الحَمْدُ لِلهِ الَّذِي كَسَانِي هَذَا (الثَّوْبَ) وَرَزَقَنِيهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ حَوْلٍ مِنِّي وَلَا قُوَّةٍ

“Praise be to Allah Who has clothed me with this (garment) and provided it for me with no might nor power from myself”

(Sunan Abi Daud)

In another hadith narrated by Abu Saeed Al-Khudri r.a. The Prophet s.a.w. would pray

 اللَّهُمَّ لَكَ الْحَمْدُ أَنْتَ كَسَوْتَنِيهِ أَسْأَلُكَ مِنْ خَيْرِهِ وَخَيْرِ مَا صُنِعَ لَهُ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْ شَرِّهِ وَشَرِّ مَا صُنِعَ لَهُ 

“O Allah. All praises be upon you for the clothing You have blessed me with. I ask You its goodness and the goodness of the purpose for which it was made, and I seek Your Protection from its evil and the evil of the purpose for which it was made”

(Sunan At-Tirmizi)

You may also recite Alhamdulillah (All praises be to Allah) and Bismillah (In the name of Allah) upon wearing the garment.

Conclusion

Looking back at the mentioned verse from Surah Al-A’raf (7:26), the Quran does not stop after mentioning how clothing is naturally used to cover nakedness and is worn as an adornment. The verse continues

وَلِبَاسُ ٱلتَّقْوَىٰ ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌۭ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ مِنْ ءَايَـٰتِ ٱللَّهِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَذَّكَّرُونَ

“However, the best clothing is righteousness. This is one of Allah’s bounties, so perhaps you will be mindful”

(Surah Al-A’raf, 7:26)

After mentioning the natural uses of clothing in human lives, the verse continues by showing that which is better - libasu-t taqwa, the cloth of righteousness. The inner qualities are even more beautiful than the outer appearance.

As Muslims, we should not just focus on beautifying our physical self. We need to also ensure that we try our best to beautify our souls and our hearts. In a hadith, Rasulullah s.a.w. mentioned

 إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يَنْظُرُ إِلَى صُوَرِكُمْ وَأَمْوَالِكُمْ وَلَكِنْ يَنْظُرُ إِلَى قُلُوبِكُمْ وَأَعْمَالِكُمْ

“Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your heart and your deeds”

(Sahih Muslim)

And Allah knows best.