Is using false (artificial) eyelashes considered Wasl (i.e. hair extension) or not?
Al-Wasl can be divided into three categories:
1- To extend the hair with natural hair is absolutely forbidden by the consensus of the scholars and it is one of the major sins.
2- To extend the hair with something totally different from the hair that does not resemble hair, such as colored threads, strings (rubber bands, and so forth) is permissible and not considered Wasl.
3- To extend the hair with something other than hair but resembling hair, such as something made of plastic and so forth so that the one who sees it cannot distinguish between it and the hair. It looks like hair in its shape or form, but it is not real hair. Is this considered Wasl and accordingly, does wearing wigs and false eyelashes fall under this category?
In order to answer this question, one should know the reason behind forbidding Al-Wasl.
The scholars are of different opinions regarding the reason behind the prohibition. The most preponderant point of view is that it is forgery and deception (fraud). It shows the woman in a way different than her real state. This is indicated by the Hadeeth reported by Al-Bukhaari on the authority of ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Auf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu). While Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) was on the pulpit, he took a tuft of hair from one of his guards, saying: “Where are your religious learned men? I heard Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forbidding this (false hair) and saying: ‘The children of Israel were destroyed when their women started using this.‘” [Al-Bukhaari no. 5932]
In another version, saying: “The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) named such a practice, Az-Zur (i.e. falsehood), meaning the use of false hair.” [Al-Bukhaari no. 3488]
Accordingly, Al-Wasl (false hair extension) is forgery and deception. Therefore, Al-Wasl with something that resembles the natural hair is forbidden.
Based on the previous discussion, wearing wigs as well as artificial false eyelashes is forbidden, because it is a kind of Wasl.
Similarly, artificial nails (fingernails) is a kind of Wasl (extension of nails), as the purpose behind it is forgery and deception.
The Shari’ah is strict in its rulings on this matter and it should not be subjected to intellect. This is because a clear text has been quoted regarding it. Ijtihad is only used when there is no legal text (from the Qur’an or Sunnah) concerning a particular issue. But Al-Wasl is something for which the Shari’ah has already decided its ruling. The woman asked the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) to permit her daughter to use artificial hair, and he (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) answered with: “Allaah cursed the one who lengthens hair artificially and the one who does that for her…“
He (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) was strict regarding it.
The student of knowledge should be strict regarding matters in which the Shari’ah is strict and be lenient in matters in which the Shari’ah made vast (broad).
Do these false eyelashes affect her Wudu’ and Taharah?
What if a lady used these false eyelashes because someone gave her a Fatwa stating that it was permissible to be used? In that case, if she wills to perform Wudu’, these eyelashes do not prevent water from reaching the skin or what is beneath them when washed with water, because they have openings which make water penetrate and reach the skin.
Therefore, wearing false eyelashes does not prevent water to reach the eyelashes and accordingly does not affect the Taharah of the prayer. But using them is forbidden according to the most preponderant point of view.
Source:
Qadaya Fiqhiyya Mu’asirah (Contemporary Fiqh issues) by Shaikh Sa’d ibn Turkiy al-Khathlan
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