Is It Better for a Woman to Avoid to Apply Henna If She Has to Appear in Public?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Asalamu alaikum,

Is it better for a woman to avoid to apply henna if she has to appear in public?

Answer: Wa alaikum assalam wa rahmatullahi wa barakatuh,

I pray that this message finds you well, insha’Allah.

In general, it is permitted for the woman to apply henna to her hands and feet. [Ibn Nujaym, al-Ashbah wa al-Naza’ir]

It would be recommended to do so to please her husband, as such beautification is sought from her in their relationship, or in other contexts because it is a feminine act that has benefits and precedence in the sunna.

However, if there is a possibility that unrelated men will see such henna after application, then the consideration would be whether or not it attracts their undue attention.

If it does, avoid adorning yourself with it in a public setting.

And Allah alone knows best.

wassalam,

Tabraze Azam

Checked & Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani.