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Ithmid Kohl : The original arabic eyeliner
Kohl which in Arabic refers to any substance applied in or around the eyes has been an integral part of the Arabic culture and adornment rituals since time immemorial. In english, most people refer to kohl as the arabic eyeliner since kohl has the same effects on the look of the eyes. The practice of applying natural substances in or around the eyes as kohl (eyeliner) has been in existent in many culture around the world. Since ancient times, people in different parts of the world have been making eyeliner... Read more...
Benefits of kuhl (kohl) for eyes
Several hadith narrations on the benefits of ithmid kuhl for eyes has been reported from the prophet ( may Allah`s peace and blessings be upon him). Read more...
What is ithmid kohl/surma chemically ?
The black type of ithmid kohl is thought to be a form of antimony tri-sulfide whereas the red type is thought to be some form of antimony penta-sulfide. However it might not any type of or antimony tri-sulfide or antimony penta-sulfide is suitable to be used as an ithmid eyeliner as rocks can vary significantly in their chemical makeup even though the name is exactly the same. Many customers have been asking about what mineral ithmid kohl is chemically. This post discusses this but before going straight into answering question... Read more...
How to apply ithmid kohl ?
For medicinal purposes, apply ithmid kohl as close as possible to the eye. To do this pass the kohl applicator along the bottom waterline from one corner of your eye to the opposite one. Close your eyelashes as you do this. For cosmetic purposes, you can use ithmid kohl just like any non-liquid eyeliner. Follow these steps to apply ithmid kohl safely and effectively: 1) just dip in the applicator in the bottle and then remove it 2) Apply whatever little comes with in between the eyelashes or waterline 3)... Read more...
How black seed can be a real cure-all as mentioned by the prophet
After over 1000 years and hundreds of studies, science is bearing witness to the truthfulness and accuracy of what the prophet said about the black seed. The black seed has been used as a remedy and health- promoting food by people living in South East Asia, Middle East and the Far East for thousands of years. References to curative black cumin in the Bible are thought to be referring to black seed ( though black cumin can also refer to an entirely different plant and some experts frown upon the... Read more...
How to identify pure Ithmid kohl/surma/kajal?
With so many fake kohl powders being sold as a pure Ithmid Kohl, it’s very easy to fall a victim to this unscrupulous trade and buy a kohl product on the assumption that it is real and pure ithmid kohl when in reality it is not not only not what you think but potentially toxic and harmful. In fact, the vast majority (over 90%) of the kohl powders on the market which their sellers claim to be 100% lead free and pure are anything but. A lot of these sellers... Read more...
Avoid at all costs : The black list of kohl products
The ithmid kohl market is saturated with brands claiming to offer genuine ithmid kohl products. Unfortunetaly the reality is that the vast majorities of these products are not genuine ithmid kohl. Laboratory results have shown that they contain toxic amounts of lead. Some of them were also found to be contaminated with bacteria, possibly due to unhygienic handling and processing. Couple of brands seem to have made it big on the ithmid kohl trade. Their well presented products have flooded the markets all around the world and are the first... Read more...
Ithmid Kohl : A protection against CMV virus?
Cytomegalovirus, HCMV, is a herpes type virus carried by most people – like other viruses – without any symptoms. Eyes can be seriously damaged by the HCMV virus. It can cause a condition called HCMV retinitis which as its worst could lead to blindness. Ithmid Kohl has been traditionally used as an antimicrobial agent by ancient Arabs in the Middle East. Therefore, it is very plausible that regular use of ithmid Kohl, as has been strongly recommended by prophet Muhammad ( May Allah’s peace and blessings be upon him), could... Read more...
Is kohl eyeliner harmful or dangerous for eyes and health ?
Bad reputation and negative stigma is attached to kohl eyeliners as a result of findings that it contains harmful ingredients and toxic levels of lead. This puts many people who are attracted to the potential cosmetic and health benefits of kohl eyeliners in a difficult situation ; wandering wether or not to use kohl and confused about its safety. Many people face a dilemma between wanting to use kohl for its assumed benefits and the mainstream advice not to use it because of potential health problems. So just how dangerous... Read more...
Ithmid Kohl Might Kill Eyelash Mites
This might come as a surprise but your eyelashes and eyebrows are a favourite abode for a tiny microscopic mites. Known commonly as eyelash mites (demodex scientifically) , they lurk around hair follicles and feed on dead skin cells. The presence of these mites is thought to be normal and that small numbers exist on everybody’s body. The mites feed on dead skin cells and can be good in that way. However, infestation of eyelash mites can cause various eye irritations such as redness and itchiness. Eyelash mites have also... Read more...
Incentivising Putting On Kohl/ Surma For Women and Men
Question: Is putting on Kohl (Surma/Kajal) halal or haram for women? All praises are due to Allah, and salutation and blessing is upon the messenger of Allah, his family and his companions. Incentivising putting on kohl (Surma/Kajal) for women and men has been reported from the messenger of Allah ( صلى الله عليه وسلم ). And al-Mundiree has titled a chapter in his book ‘al-Targheeb Watarheeb’: “The Targheeb (incentivisation) on putting on Ithmid kohl (surma/kajal) for women and men”, under which he narrated from ibn Majah from ibn Umar (May... Read more...
Simple test to check Ithmid Kohl Authencicity
This simple and DIY test can be used by anybody to help determine if a product is genuine Ithmid kohl. All what is needed for it is a piece of magnet or magnetic object (like magnetic screwdriver) and a piece of paper. Pour some of the product (kohl) on the paper. Hold the paper with the Kohl on top so that you can run the magnet under it. Starting right under where the powder is, move the magnet around slowly. If the product is genuine Ithmid kohl, the magnet would... Read more...
K. S. A: Popular Kohl Brands Found To Be Unsafe
The Saudi Food and Drugs Agency has carried out tests on 9 Ithmid Kohl samples from some of the most popular and widely distributed brands. In a press release on its website, the agency found high levels of lead and bacterial contamination in all samples. The levels of lead found in the samples exceeded 10 times the allowed limit for lead in beauty products as per Saudi guidelines. Seven of the samples contained higher than allowed levels of bacteria. The agency posted the names of the products alongside images on... Read more...
History of Ithmid Kohl and the story of al-Zarqaa'a
Ithmid Kohl was known amongst the Arabs in pre-Islamic Jahiliyah times for its benefits for eyes and vision. There is a widely circulated and infamous story from this era highlighting how Ithmid Kohl can give strong vision. This is the story of a woman called Zarqaa’a al-Yamama. She was from a al-Yamama tribe and was famous amongst them for her exceptional vision. When another tribe wanted to launch an attack on the tribe of Zarqaa, they were so concerned with Zarqa seeing them from far and alerting her people in... Read more...
Benefits of Ithmid Surma/Kajal for the eyes
The especial Ithmid Surma/Kajal is the best type of Surma/Kajal to be used for the eyes. This is because it has been personally used and praised by prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم), who was inspired by Allah, Glorified be he. If you are looking to start using it, you can find our authentic Isfahani Ithmid Kohl powder in our store. Benefits of Ithmid Surma/ Kajal for the eyes 1. Ithmid Surma/Kajal cleanses the eyes of harmfull substances. This includes dirt, dust, germs as well as other chemicals which can... Read more...
Kohl can be harmfull but not genuine Ithmid (antimony) kohl
Kohl in Arabic is anything that is applied to the eye and/or its surroundings such as the eyelashes and eyebrows. Under this broader meaning, modern eyeliner and mascara products can also be regarded as kohl. Given this, the answer to the question : Is kohl harmfull ?, is yes and no. It all depends on what it is made of. People have used and still use different substances to adorn the eyes; essentially different types of kohl. For example, frankincense resin was used in ancient egypt as a form of... Read more...
Ithmid (antimony) Kohl : Beauty on a different level
Ithmid (antimony) kohl is recommended by the prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم for its eye health benefits. It is often the case that when the prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم recommends something or an action, it comes with extra bonus benefits. These benefits are not mentioned by the prophet صلي الله عليه وسلم because they are less important but are only realised when you start putting the prophet`s words into action. Ithmid (antimony) kohl is a case in point. As well as the major health benefits mentioned by the prophet,... Read more...
Ithmid (antimony) Kohl : what is it and why it is special ?
If you have never heard of Ithmid (antimony) Kohl, then reading this article aims to introduce you to Ithmid (antimony) kohl to you, making understand what it is and why it is important in Islam. Kohl in Arabic is anything that is applied to the eye and/or its surroundings such as eyelashes and eyebrows. Ithmid (antimony) is a type of a natural stone which when powdered is called Ithmid (antimony) Kohl and is used as a kohl for the eyes and the surrounding hair. A special Kohl Ithmid (antimony) Kohl... Read more...
A look at Hadith : Is Kohl really a Sunnah ?
As discussed previously , it is observed that Hadiths found within the Sunnah refer specifically to one type of Kohl: Ithmid Kohl. Since the word Kohl refers to , in Arabic, anything applied on the eyes and/or its related hair, it is incorrect to say that Kohl is a Sunnah. Rather, applying Ithmid Kohl , to the exclusion of other types of Kohl, is a Sunnah. Hadiths on Kohl are all referring to Ithmid Kohl عَنْ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رضي الله عنهماَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ :... Read more...
Clearing misconceptions about Kohl
What image comes to your mind as the word Kohl is mentioned? And how do you feel about it? Except those who have good understanding of the concept of Kohl in Islam, most people tend to have a wrong perception of Kohl, which is the reason why some men might shudder at or even oppose the idea of men applying Kohl. For many of us, Kohl conjures an image of a mascara-like substance used to darken and blacken the eyelashes and eyeborows, for the sole purpose of beautification and making... Read more...