Question:
Women often apply eyeliner or kohl to the eyes. There are different styles—above the eyelids or below them—to highlight the eyes. They also shape or draw eyebrows to make them appear thicker or more defined. Is it permissible to do those while going outside?
Answer:
Islam allows women to go outside. There is no problem with that. But they should not beautify themselves in a way that attracts men. There is a prohibition against displaying adornment publicly. Allahﷻ states in Surah An-Nur (24:31) not to expose their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, their brothers’ sons, their sisters’ sons, their women, what their right hands possess, their male attendants who have no sexual desires, or children who are not yet aware of the nakedness of women
Adornment should not be shown to unrelated men because they may look at it differently. Since there is a clear prohibition, why apply eye makeup when going outside? It is done to enhance beauty and attractiveness.
Applying kohl—whether above or below the eyelid—adds beauty. Applying kohl itself is not forbidden. A woman may apply it at home among her husband and close relatives to whom Allahﷻ prescribes.
Newly married women may beautify themselves for their husbands. That is allowed because the husband’s gaze is different from that of relatives and strangers.
But when going outside, doing these beautifications is not allowed. As for eyebrows, trimming or shaving them is prohibited. However, applying color or lightly enhancing existing eyebrows without altering their natural form is not prohibited.
Using makeup to slightly enhance eyebrows is allowed among women, close relatives, or husbands. But when going outside, adornment should not be displayed. Men are naturally attracted to women, and adornment increases that attraction. Islam allows natural appearance but discourages additional beautification meant to draw attention.
Therefore, applying extra beautification to attract attention is not appropriate when going outside. That is the ruling.
