Revive the Sunnah: The Health Benefits & Manners of Applying Kohl (Surma)
Sunan and Manners of Applying Kohl
Reviving a Blessed Tradition
Applying Surma (kohl) is a blessed Sunnah of the Noble Messenger صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ. The Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ used to apply kohl in his sacred eyes before going to bed. Therefore, with the intention of following the Sunnah, we should also apply kohl in our eyes when we are about to go to sleep.
By doing so, we will not only earn the reward of acting upon a Sunnah but we will also reap its medical and health benefits in the world.
A Sunnah Before Sleeping
The Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah, the Owner of Jannah صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ used to apply kohl at the time of going to bed. Hence, Sayyiduna Abdullah Ibn Abbas رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ states:
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَتْ لَهُ مُكْحُلَةٌ يَكْتَحِلُ بِهَا كُلَّ لَيْلَةٍ ثَلاَثَةً فِي هَذِهِ وَثَلاَثَةً فِي هَذِهِ
“Ibn Abbas رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ narrates that the Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ had a Kohl holder with which he would apply Kohl every night, three in one eye and three in the other.”
(Jami Al-Tirmidhi)
The Wisdom: The usefulness of applying kohl at the time of going to bed is that the kohl remains in the eyes for a longer period, allowing it to pass through the pores and provide maximum benefit to the eyes.
Ithmid (Antimony): The Preferred Kohl
While any kohl fulfills the Sunnah, the specific type known as Ithmid is highly recommended. The following blessed Hadith is stated in Tirmidhi:
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " اكْتَحِلُوا بِالإِثْمِدِ فَإِنَّهُ يَجْلُو الْبَصَرَ وَيُنْبِتُ الشَّعْرَ “Use Ithmid (antimony) for Kohl, for it clears the vision and grows the eyelashes.”
(Tirmidhi)
Benefits of Ithmid:
- It improves eyesight and clears vision.
- It helps in the growth of eyelashes.
Note: Ithmid kohl is reddish-black in color and is typically found in Isfahan.
Method of Applying Kohl
Various narrations describe the manner in which the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ applied kohl. To follow the Sunnah comprehensively, one can alternate between these authentic methods:
Method 1
Apply kohl three times in the right eye, and then three times in the left eye.
Method 2
Apply kohl three times in the right eye, and two times in the left eye.
Method 3
Apply kohl twice in both eyes individually, and then use the applicator once to apply it to both eyes simultaneously.
Key Rule: Always begin with the right eye to adhere to the etiquette of the Sunnah.