Is it permissible for a man to apply henna to his feet?

It is recommended for a woman to dye her hands and feet with henna for adornment, and due to the hadith of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: "If I were a woman, I would change your fingernails – meaning with henna."

As for a man, it is forbidden for him to dye his hands and feet with henna without a need, as it involves imitating women. This is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) banished an effeminate man who had dyed his hands and feet.

However, a man is permitted to dye himself with henna when there is a need, such as for treatment, based on what Al-Tirmidhi and others narrated from Umm Rafi' that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would not suffer from an ulcer or a thorn except that he would put henna on it, and because he said: "Nor any pain in his feet, except he would say: 'Dye them with henna.'"