Ruling On Applying Antimony, Oil And Henna While Fasting

Darulifta Ahlesunnat

(Dawateislami)

Question

   What do the scholars of Islam say about the following matter: what is the ruling on inserting antimony in the eyes, and applying oil to the hair and body? Moreover, is the fast invalidated by applying henna?

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیْمِ

اَلْجَوَابُ بِعَوْنِ الْمَلِکِ الْوَھَّابِ اَللّٰھُمَّ ھِدَایَۃَ الْحَقِّ وَالصَّوَابِ

   Inserting antimony in the eyes, applying oil to the body or head and applying henna does not invalidate the fast.

It is stated in a blessed hadith:

عن انس بن مالک قال جاء رجل الی النبی صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم فقال اشتکت عینی  افاکتحل وانا صائم قال نعم

   Sayyidunā Anas ibn Mālik رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ explains how a person came to the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم and asked, ‘My eyes are hurting. Can I place antimony in them even though I am fasting?’ The Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied by saying yes. [1]

   Another narration found in Sunan Abī Dawūd:

عن انس بن مالک انہ کان یکتحل وھو صائم

   Again narrated by sayyidunā Anas ibn Mālik رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ, he mentions how the Messenger of Allah صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would place antimony in his blessed eyes whilst fasting. [2] 

   In Al-Durr al-Mukhtār, ادھن او اکتحل او احتجم وان وجد طعمہ فی حلقہ لم یفطر - “A person applied oil, placed antimony (in the eyes) or had cupping performed; even if the taste of this is felt in their throat, their fast will not break.”[3]

   It is mentioned in Bahār-e-Sharīʿat, "If one has cupping done or applies oil or antimony, then the fast will not be invalidated even if the taste of oil or antimony is found in the throat." [4]

وَاللہُ اَعْلَمُ عَزَّوَجَلَّ وَرَسُوْلُہ اَعْلَم صَلَّی اللّٰہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّم