Does the Usage of Instant Mehndi Obstruct Ablution?

Question

There’s this instant mehndi made from flour, tea powder, and sugar. I applied them on my nails, and it doesn’t create a barrier (I mean, it didn’t create a sticker-like formation as when we use nail polish).

But I applied some on my palm to check whether it created a barrier or not. Sometimes, it was just a color, but after some time, it formed a plasticky barrier on my hands.

On nails, however, it is just like real mehndi. Can you please help me with this?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate. We pray for His choicest peace, blessings, and salutations upon our Master, Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace).

The determining factor of whether this product obstructs ablution or not is permeability. In other words, does the substance allow for the penetration of water, or does it prevent water from penetrating. [Nawawi, al-Majmu‘]

If the substance does not form an impermeable barrier (on the nails where it appears to be designed for), as you have described and as the product claims, it would be permissible to use and would not prevent a valid ablution, and Allah knows best.

I pray that this benefits.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan.

Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.

He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.

Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.