Question:
What is the status of this hadith?
مَنِ اكْتَحَلَ بِالإِثْمِدِ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ لَمْ تَرْمَدْ عَيْنُهُ أَبَدًا
“Whoever put on kohl with ithmid (a type of kohl) on the day of Asyura’, then he will not experience any illness on his eyes forever.”
Answer:
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
The day of Asyura’ or the 10th of Muharram is one of the honoured days for it is sunnah for us to fast on this day and we are also encouraged to increase our worships on this day according to several sahih hadiths, among them are:
- From Ibn Abbas RA, when he was asked about fasting on the day of Asyura’, he answered:
مَا رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَحَرَّى صِيَامَ يَوْمٍ فَضَّلَهُ عَلَى غَيْرِهِ، إِلاَّ هَذَا الْيَوْمَ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ
I never saw the Prophet (ﷺ) seeking to fast on a day more (preferable to him) than this day, the day of 'Ashura', or this month, i.e. the month of Ramadan.
Sahih al-Bukhari (2006)
Imam al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar (852 H) said when commenting on this hadith regarding the day of Asyura’ is the most honoured day to fast after Ramadhan. However, this is the opinion of Ibn Abbas according to his knowledge (that the day of Asyura’ is a special day) and it is not objected by the Companions. Narrated by Imam Muslim from Abi Qatadah through marfu’ narration that fasting on the day of Asyura’ will expiate sins for a year. Apparently, fasting on the day of Arafah is prioritized compared to fasting on the day of Asyura’ for it (the day of Arafah) expiates two years of sins. It is also said that the wisdom it is sunnah to fast on the day of Asyura’ is because the day of Asyura’ is related to the Prophet Moses AS. Whereas, fasting on the day of Arafah is related to the Prophet PBUH, thus, this is the reason why it (fasting on the day of Arafah) is prioritized. (See Fath al-Bari, 249/4)
Among the opinion of scholars that state the status of this hadith are:
- Imam Ibn al-Jawzi (597 H) evaluated the hadith as fake. (See: al-Mawdhu’at, 203/2)
- Imam al-Sakhawi (902 H) stated the hadith is fake (See: al-Maqasid al-Hasanah, 632/1).
- Imam al-Fattani (986 H) evaluated the narration as fake just like Ibn al-Jawzi. (See: Tazkirah al-Mawdhu’at, 118/1)
- Syeikh Mulla Ali al-Qari (1014 H) also state that the hadith is fabricated. (See: al-Asrar al-Marfu’ah fi al-Akhbar al-Mawdhu’ah, 332/1)
- Syeikh al-Qawqaji (1305) evaluated the hadith as fake. (See: al-Lu’lu’ al-Marshu’, 117/1)
Considering the above opinions of scholars, we are inclined to state that the above hadith presented in the question is not sahih even though there are some scholars who stated that the hadith is dhaif (weak) such as Imam al-Suyuthi (911 H) in his book al-Jami’ al-Saghir. However, here we include two opinions regarding the hadith of putting on kohl on the day of Asyura’:
- Imam Ibn al-Qayyim (751 H) said:
وَمِنْهَا أَحَادِيثُ الاكْتِحَالِ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ وَالتَّزَيُّنِ وَالتَّوْسِعَةِ وَالصَّلاةِ فِيهِ وَغَيْرِ ذَلِكَ مِنْ فَضَائِلَ لا يَصِحُّ مِنْهَا شَيْءٌ وَلا حَدِيثٌ وَاحِدٌ وَلا يَثْبُتُ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ فِيهِ شَيْءٌ غَيْرُ أَحَادِيثِ صِيَامِهِ وَمَا عَدَاهَا فَبَاطِلٌ.
“Among the hadiths that are related regarding the usage of kohl on the day of Asyura’, beautifying oneself, treating (family members), praying and others has advantages, none of them are sahih and none of the hadith are from the Prophet PBUH except for hadiths regarding fasting on the day and others are all bathil (not sahih).” (See: al-Manar al-Munif, 111/1)
- Imam Ibn Rejab (795 H) said:
وكل ما روى في فضل الإكتحال في يوم عاشوراء والإختضاب والإغتسال فيه فموضوع لا يصح
“Every narration that is narrated related to the day of Asyura’ where it states the advantages of putting on kohl, adorning oneself and taking a bath on the day are not sahih.” (See: Latha’if al-Ma’arif, 54/1)
Furthermore, Syeikh Yusuf al-Qaradhawi also criticizes the hadith regarding wearing kohl on the day of Asyura’ in his book Fiqh al-Siyam in the chapter that discusses fasting on the day of Asyura’. However, wearing kohl is sunnah for both woman and man for the Prophet PBUH puts on kohl on his eyes. This is in accordance with a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas R.Anhuma where the Prophet PBUH said:
اكْتَحِلُوا بِالإِثْمِدِ فَإِنَّهُ يَجْلُو البَصَرَ، وَيُنْبِتُ الشَّعْرَ
"Use Ithmid for Kohl, for it clears the vision and grows the hair (eye-lashes)."
Sunan al-Tirmizi (1757) [Imam al-Tirmizi stated that this narration of Ibn Abbas R.Anhuma is hasan]
Conclusion
Coming back to the question asked, the hadith below is related to the advantages of wearing kohl on the 10th of muharram is not sahih as have been stated above.
مَنِ اكْتَحَلَ بِالإِثْمِدِ يَوْمَ عَاشُورَاءَ لَمْ تَرْمَدْ عَيْنُهُ أَبَدًا
“Whoever put on kohl with ithmid (a type of kohl) on the day of Asyura’, then he will not experience any illness on his eyes forever.”
However, wearing kohl is sunnah for both men and women at any time not specifically only on the 10th of Muharram according to the general hadith of Ibn Abbas RA. Lastly, let us all increase our worship such as fasting on the day of Asyura’ and other worships. May Allah SWT grant us the strength and accept all our worships that we do. Amin.
Wallahua’lam.