Henna or Mahendi has always been a natural way to dye Hair and decorate palms and feet. In fact, how to use henna for Hair growth or how to apply henna to hands is what people search for all the time. Henna is a natural ingredient and has many benefits as well. Its use is dated back centuries and is celebrated across many cultures and religions. However, when it comes to Islam, Muslims have doubts whether Henna would be in line with their religious faith. Alongside the query, there is also ambiguity regarding the best use of henna and whether or not it is safe to use. In this article, we have tried to answer all queries about Henna/ Mahendi in Islam. The guide will allow you to know what Islamic scriptures explain about using Henna.
Is Mahendi allowed in Islam?
There have been a lot of discrepancies related to the topic but with enough research done, it is concluded that Henna or Mahendi is allowed in Islam. The ancient Islamic scriptures explain that Prophet Mohammad himself used Henna / Mahendi to dye his beard. Also, her daughter Fatima used Henna to make drawings on her hands and feet.
Mahendi is considered halal in Islam provided it is made with halal ingredients. Both men and women can use mehndi to color their hands and Hair. There are detailed instructions on how to apply mehndi on Hair as per Islamic rules.
What are the Mahendi colors allowed in Islam?
It is believed that the hadith of the Prophet itself guides men to color their Hair. However, there are a few restrictions on the choice of colors that one can choose. So, how to use henna Hair dye to stick to your Islamic faith. Well, here is a detailed account of Mahendi Hair colors allowed in Islam.
The prophet has guided Islamic men to color their Hair and beard but avoids the color black, other natural colors like Brown, dark brown, gray, and blonde are all-natural Hair colors that are halal in Islam.
The recommended Hair dyes for Muslims are either Henna/ Mahendi or Katam, which is again a type of grass.
However, the color black is Halal when someone has grey Hairs because of an abnormality. For example, if a young person in his twenties has a condition that causes greying of Hair, he/she is allowed to color his/her Hair black under Islam.
Before you try mehndi to color your Hair and beard, it is best to learn how to dye your Hair with henna to get the best results.
What are the Haram & Unsafe Ingredients in Mahendi?
Until and unless the color of henna or any other application prevents the contact of water from the skin, it is not haram. There has been a debate about whether Henna is haram and scholars have explained it from time to time. If you are wondering how to use henna powder for skin or Hair dye use ensure it is halal, you must know that until and unless Henna has ingredients that can be harmful to you, it is Halal.
There are three conditions under which Henna/ Mahendi is haram in Islam:
- If it is scientifically proven to harm you.
- If it creates a layer on your skin that prevents water from reaching your skin.
- If it causes a reaction that is harmful to you.
As far as harmful ingredients are considered, rogue manufacturers use a wide range of chemicals to stop making the color of the henna/ mehndi darker. This type of chemically-laden henna/ Mahendi is no doubt Haram in Islam.
It is simple to answer how does henna Hair dye work. It works because it has a natural color which is Halal, However, there are chemicals like Para-phenylenediamine which is used to make the color of Mahendi darker. lead, nickel and chromium are also some toxic metals found in new age Mahendi.
Certain Henna varieties also contain sodium picramate, the salt of picric acid, an ingredient used to make explosives.
Which Mahendi Brands are safe to use?
Henna is made from the leaves of Lawsonia inermis. While it is naturally extracted, it is possible that it can come in contact with pesticides or any other haram ingredients. You must ensure that the brand you buy from uses leaves of an organically grown plant only.
If your next question is how to apply henna for grey Hair safely, we would say trust only reliable mehndi brands. Some reputed Mahendi brands offer you natural, chemical-free Henna choices.
Some of these prominent, safe Mahendi brands are:
1. Nupur Mahendi
2. Banjaras Mahendi
3. Nisha Mahendi
4. Vatika Henna
5. Lush Henna
You can easily find out how to use mehndi for Hair or how to use nupur mehndi for Hair in Hindi online or on the product label.
Can men use Mahendi in Islam?
Yes, men can use mehndi in Islam. The prophet has guided Muslim men to use Henna to color their Hair and beard. However, it should not be for decorative purposes which hide the natural condition, for example, an old man should not color his Hair/ beard black but can always choose natural henna to get a blonde color.
It is advised to check the label ingredients of the henna packet before using it to avoid using Mahendi with haram ingredients. We have mentioned some prominent haram ingredients in this article above to help you avoid doing anything haram while coloring your Hair or beard.
At all times, you should avoid using black henna as it has ingredients that are not FDA approved and declared as harmful to skin and Hair.
Can we use Mahendi as Natural Medicine?
Yes, one can use mehndi as natural medicine. Ancient scriptures indicate how Henna has a wide range of therapeutic uses. The compounds present in the Henna plant have abilities to cure chronic diseases. It is being used as an active ingredient in making medicines for leprosy, and diabetes.
It is high in antioxidants and has an antibacterial property which is why it is used for both consumption as well as the application as natural medicine.
Health benefits of using Mahendi
People often ask how to use henna powder for skin and Hair health. Well, we are here to answer this for you in detail. Here are some of the prominent health benefits of using Mahendi.
Immunomodulatory Activity
The leaves of the Henna plant are known for having immunity-boosting properties. It starts Immunomodulatory Activity which promotes the production of a particular type of white blood cell, called T-lymphocytes.
Hepatoprotective Activity
Henna is also known to have Hepatoprotective Activity along with a rich antioxidant profile which helps eliminate toxins from the body. It aids in removing fat from the liver and controls the bilirubin count in the body.
Treats sickle cell anemia:
Sickle cell anemia is a disease in which the body produces red blood cells in sickle shape. These cells because of the distorted shape can obstruct the blood flow in vessels and hence affect oxygen transfer. Using Henna is proven to prevent the formation of such odd-shaped blood cells in the first place.
Benefits for skin
Henna application for skin is ages old and it has a microbial activity which makes it an antiseptic. It can be proven helpful in treating infectious diseases, and a wide range of viruses.
However, to get the best benefits from Henna, you must first learn how to use henna powder for skin and dye work.
What are the side effects of using Mahendi?
When you do not take an appropriate or recommended quantity of Henna for ingestion, it can cause a wide range of problems including stomach upset, muscle breakdown, kidney failure, destruction of red blood cells (hemolytic anemia), and death.
For skin application, chemical-rich henna can cause reactions including serious skin problems, blisters, and more. There are certain types of chemicals in artificially brewed henna that can be cancerous.
Using Henna is halal if you are natural Mahendi. You must also have a good motive behind using henna. You must refrain from using black henna if you are of a certain age as black color is only permitted for young adults who are dealing with some condition.
