Answer
Wa `alaykum As-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
In this fatwa:
If a woman is sure that no man will see her and only women will see her, then she can wear makeup, but this should be done in a moderate way.
In this regard, Dr. Muzammil H. Siddiqi, Former President of the Fiqh Council of North America, states,
Islam generally encourages Muslims to appear neat, tidy and well groomed; this applies equally to males and females.
Greater emphasis in this matter, however, has been placed on married couples more than others.
It was narrated that Abdullah ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said, “I like to prepare myself for my wife as I like she prepares herself for me!”
The reason for this is not hard to comprehend as such appearance may go a long way in contributing towards martial stability and fulfillment as the spouses are supposed to serve as garments of protection for one another.
It is permissible for a woman to use cosmetics and lipstick to beautify herself. Of course, one has to make sure that the cosmetics one is using do not contain anything that is considered unclean and prohibited in Islam.
Although women are allowed to use lipstick or other cosmetics to beautify themselves, however, like all other things in Islam, this should also be done in moderation.
Too much involvement in cosmetics and wasting too much money and time on these things is not acceptable in the Islamic value system.
Islam wants to develop in its followers, males and females, a mindset of modesty, moderation and simplicity.
When Muslim women go outside their homes, especially in mixed gatherings, they should be more careful about their appearance.
A woman is not allowed to wear cosmetics or makeup in public where she will be seen by men.
If she wears makeup in mixed company, she should cover her face. If a woman is sure that no man will see her and only women will see her, then she can wear makeup, but this should be done in a moderate way.
Their appearance should not be to show off or to invite the glances of men towards them, but to keep their own dignity and honor.
They must guard the purity of their own selves as well as the purity of the society around them.
Muslim women in America frequently go to their Islamic centers and mosques, and we actually encourage them to do so, because this is necessary for their own and their family’s Islamic education, but they must come to the Islamic centers in very modest Islamic dress and appearance.
Allah Almighty knows best.
Editor’s note: This fatwa is from Ask the Scholar’s archive and was originally published at an earlier date.