Iktihal (applying kohl to the eye)

Iktihal means applying kohl to the eye. In the lexical sense it is taken from the verb "to apply kohl", and the technical usage keeps that meaning. ¹²

The Hanbalis and Shafi'is recommend an odd number of applications. Malik allowed it for men in one of his two views and disliked it in the other, as resembling women. The Hanafis allow it unless a man intends adornment out of pride; some say the forbidden thing is adornment for pride, not for beauty or dignity. There is no dispute over its permission for women, or for men who use it for medicine. ² Applying a najis or forbidden substance is not allowed, except out of necessity, which the Hanafis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis accept and the Malikis refuse. ²

The Hanafis allow ithmid kohl to the muhrim without dislike, provided it has no perfume; with perfume, used once or twice, a sadaqa is owed, and more requires a sacrifice. The Malikis forbid it except out of necessity, when a ransom is owed. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis allow it with dislike. ²

If kohl reaches the inside of the body, the Hanafis and Shafi'is, and Ibn Taymiyya, hold the fast unbroken, since it did not enter through a direct opening. The Malikis, and the Hanbali school's view, hold it broken if it reaches the throat. ²

• A widow in her waiting period may use kohl that is not usual adornment, by day or night; adornment with ithmid is forbidden except out of need, and the Malikis require her to use it at night and wash it off by day. ²³
• A woman in a revocable divorce waiting period may use it; the Malikis require the husband to pay for adornment she would otherwise lose. For irrevocable divorce, the Hanafis and a view among the Shafi'is and Hanbalis forbid it, another view recommends abstaining, and the Malikis allow it. ³

The Shafi'is hold that kohl and adornment do not harm i'tikaf. ³ The Hanafis speak of recommending kohl on the day of Ashura, but no sound text supports it, and some call it a bid'a. ³