In The Name of Allah, The Most Merciful, The Bestower of Mercy.
Allah, The Most High, said:
ٱلَّذِىٓ أَحْسَنَ كُلَّ شَىْءٍ خَلَقَهُۥ وَبَدَأَ خَلْقَ ٱلْإِنسَٰنِ مِن طِينٍ
Who made everything He has created good, and He began the creation of man from clay. [Al-Sajdah 7]
Allah, The Most High, said:
وَمِنۡ ءَايَـٰتِهِۦ خَلۡقُ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٲتِ وَٱلۡأَرۡضِ وَٱخۡتِلَـٰفُ أَلۡسِنَتِڪُمۡ وَأَلۡوَٲنِكُمۡۚ إِنَّ فِى ذَٲلِكَ لَأَيَـٰتٍ۬ لِّلۡعَـٰلِمِينَ
And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the difference of your languages and colours. Verily, in that are indeed signs for men of sound knowledge]. [Al Rum. 22]
A troubling trend is observed among some black and Asian women, particularly in the pursuit of beauty, while often ignoring the truth that beauty is subjective and varies from person to person. Those who break free from the influence of those who exploit beauty standards as a means of asserting racial superiority or perfection are the ones who recognize that beauty is a deeply personal concept. Each culture has its own definition of physical beauty, which may differ from that of another nation, although there are instances where countries share similar views on beauty regarding appearance and physical characteristics. However, this article aims to highlight the extreme lengths some individuals go to in order to change their physical appearance due to feelings of inferiority, which can lead to self-harm. In this context, we must acknowledge the dangerous practice of skin lightening, which many pursue to attain a lighter skin tone. According to experts, this practice can diminish the concentration or production of melanin in the skin, and melanin is the pigment responsible for skin color and its protection against sun damage.
Some have argued that this perilous and addictive behaviour originated from the inferiority complex instilled by colonialists in those who were entirely deprived of their identity or those who equate beauty with the standards set by the previous slave master, as mental slavery is more abiding than physical slavery. Therefore, this issue cannot be resolved unless there is an understanding that, above all, beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Most importantly, even if an individual is deemed beautiful or attractive—an inherently subjective assessment—it is perfectly acceptable for someone to embrace their own definition of beauty without allowing it to devolve into racial bias or inferiority complex. Ultimately, what should be prioritised by a believer or a rational individual is inner beauty. Read the article: https://salafidawahmanchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Admonitions-of-The-Scholars-Regarding-Good-Manners.pdf
Consequently, following the end of the demoralisation inflicted by certain colonialists—such as the practice of segregating dark-skinned slaves from their lighter-skinned counterparts by forcing the former to toil under the sun on plantations while the latter worked in the houses—there is no justification for any black woman, in particular, to chase after a notion of beautification that reflects an inferiority complex. However, many black and Asian women staunchly oppose the practice of skin bleaching, recognising its ties to colonialism.
The sensible person aims to nurture the next generation with a solid foundation of faith, strong confidence, and a clear sense of identity. When it comes to their preferences in a spouse, they do not poke their noses into what physical beauty is appealing to their children, as we have previously mentioned that beauty is subjective. In addition and most important of all, they educate them to recognise that true status, dignity, and inner beauty are rooted in Islam, and as the Prophet, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, stated: ““Verily, Allah does not look at your appearance or wealth, but rather He looks at your hearts and actions.” [Sahih Muslim 2564]
Having committed themselves to instilling values of virtue and piety in their children, they take pride in their choice to marry individuals of any skin color. They rejoice in the fact that they will not select a partner burdened by an inferiority complex, whether related to skin tone or any other aspect, as Islam fosters dignity and virtue.
Imam Muhammad Ibn Salih Al-Uthaymin, may Allah have mercy upon him, was asked:
It has become widespread among the people, especially women, to use some chemicals and natural herbs that change the colour of the skin, so that coloured (brown or non-white skin) becomes white after applying these chemicals and natural herbs, and so on. Is there a Sharee’ah prohibition against this? And bear in mind that some husbands command their wives to use these chemicals and natural herbs whilst citing as proof that it is obligated on a woman to beautify herself for her husband.
Answer: If this change is permanent, then it is forbidden; rather it is one of the major sins, because indeed it is worse than tattooing in relation to altering what Allah has created. Indeed, it has been established (by way authentic narration) from the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) that he cursed the women who do hair extensions and the woman who does it for others, the woman who does tattoos and the woman who does it for them. In Bukhari and Muslim, Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud, may Allah be pleased with him, said, “May Allah curse the women who do tattoos and the women who have them done, and the women who pluck eyebrows and the women who have that done, and the women who file their teeth for the purpose of beautification, those who change the creation of Allah”. And he said, “Why should I not curse those whom the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed?”
The one who attaches hair extensions is the one whose hair is short so she adds something to it, whether hair or something similar. The woman who does tattoos is one who puts the tattoo on the skin by inserting a needle and what is similar, then she fills that place with kohl or something similar which alters the colour of the skin. The woman who seeks for tattoos to be done is the one who asks someone else to do a tattoo on her. The woman who plucks eyebrows is the one who plucks hair from the face- from her eyebrows or for others. The woman who seeks for that to be done is the one who asks that her eyebrows are plucked. The woman who files her teeth is the one who asks someone else to file her teeth in order to widen the gaps between them. All of these deeds are tantamount to changing what Allah has created and what has been stated in the question is more severe – with regards to changing what Allah has created – than what has been stated in the hadeeth. But if the change is not permanent, such as henna and the like, then there is nothing wrong with it because it will disappear, such as kohl, using red cosmetic on the cheeks and lips. Therefore, it is obligatory to be careful, warn against altering what Allah has created and spread the warning among the Ummah lest evil spread, become widespread and difficult to reverse it. [Majmu Al-Fataawaa 17/20-21]
And Allah knows best
