Most-asked question

Is wearing make-up permissible?

225 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 7 South African Darul Iftas (Ask Imaam, Mufti Online, Ibn Masood, Jamiat KZN, Azaadville, Camperdown and others). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“If the surmah is on the skin of the face, then it should be washed off when making wudu. If it is not washed off and wudu is made, then if it does not prevent the water from reaching the face, then the wudu will be valid.”

Mufti Online — Removing traces of surmah before wudhu · 6 Oct 2026

“Many lipsticks and makeup products contain such ingredients which are Haraam thus making it impermissible to use them. However if after investigation, it is found that the lipstick does not contain any Haraam ingredients then it shall be permissible to use but under the following conditions:”

Azaadville — Lipstick · 7 Jun 2022

“Permanent makeup is not permissible as it entails tattooing. This is why it is also known as cosmetic tattooing. The Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) forbade tattooing and cursed the tattooist and the tattooed. The prohibition behind this is that a tattoo entails changing the colour of one’s skin.”

Jamiat KZN — Permissibility of Permanent Makeup · 12 Jan 2013

“If the taste of the lipstick did not reach the throat, then the fast did not break. However, if the taste of the lipstick reached the throat, then the fast broke and Qadha (making up) of that fast is necessary.”

Ask Imaam — I applied lipstick while I was fasting - Is my fast valid? · 25 Mar 2023

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. Removing traces of surmah before wudhuMufti Online · 6 Oct 2026
  2. A Makeup BusinessAzaadville · 1 Dec 2025
  3. Is the earning of a makeup artist Halaal?Ask Imaam · 18 Oct 2025
  4. Permanent eye makeupJamiat KZN · 28 Aug 2025
  5. Cosmetic Surgery to Restore Skin ColourIbn Masood · 28 May 2025
  6. Can I get skin and lip fillers?Camperdown · 20 Oct 2022
  7. Women wearing make-up when leaving the houseMiftahul Falaah · 1 Jun 2022
  8. Women applying winged eyelinerMufti Online · 6 Jan 2024
  9. Applying Surma At NightAzaadville · 25 Aug 2022
  10. Making wudhu upon make up used to cover scarring due to mental disorderAsk Imaam · 12 Jun 2023
  11. Timeframe for women to make up missed fasts of RamadaanJamiat KZN · 29 Oct 2024
  12. Using Fragrance-Free Cosmetics in IhraamIbn Masood · 11 Jun 2024
  13. I applied lipstick while I was fasting - Is my fast valid?Ask Imaam · 25 Mar 2023
  14. LipstickAzaadville · 7 Jun 2022
  15. Permissibility of Permanent MakeupJamiat KZN · 12 Jan 2013

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