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Is it permissible for a woman to leave her house wearing kohl?

1 min readAlso available in العربية

Scholars have differed regarding a woman going out wearing kohl, based on their differing views on whether kohl is considered an apparent or a hidden adornment. Some have gone with the opinion that it is an apparent adornment, citing as evidence what was narrated from Ibn Abbas in the interpretation of Allah's saying: "except what is apparent thereof." Others have gone with the opinion that it is a hidden adornment that must be concealed, because it beautifies and enhances the face, and a woman going out with it in this manner increases her beauty and draws attention to her. For this reason, a woman in her 'iddah (waiting period) is forbidden from kohl because it is an adornment, so a woman who is exposed to the gaze of non-mahram men is forbidden from it a fortiori.

Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026

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