Eye Colour (Surma)

CHAPTER FORTY

SUNNAH OF ANTIMONY/COLLYRIUM – SURMA

O Allah (The Exalted) bless our master Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) and the family of our master Muhammad (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) as many times as those who have asked for blessings upon him.

To apply Surma is a blessed Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). When he would go to sleep at night he would apply Surma in his blessed eyes. We should also try to practice this Sunnah as we will gain the reward and benefit in following the Sunnah and the worldly benefits too.

Best type of Surma

‘Abd-Allah Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, “…among the best types of collyrium you use is ithmad, it clears the vision and makes the hair sprout.” i

When to put Surma on

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that, “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had a collyrium container out of which he applied collyrium every night, in each eye three times.” ii

It is the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) to apply Surma when going to sleep. It stays in the eyes for longer and makes it more effective.

Benefit of Surma

Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, ‘Apply antimony regularly, as it clears the sight, makes the eye lashes grow and is the best of things beautifying the eyes.’ iii

How to put Surma on

Imran Ibn Abi Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) has related that, “The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would apply antimony thrice in the right eye and twice in the left.” iv

The application of Surma is Sunnah for both men and women and be done at night, three times in each eye.

Imam Shafi (may Allah’s mercy be upon him) states that four things that strengthen the eyesight, to sit towards the Qibla, to use Surma before sleeping, to look towards something with green colour, and to keep the clothes clean. v

Manners of applying the Surma

Supplication for applying Surma

‘Allahumma Mat-Ti’Ni Bissam-e Wal Basar’.

‘O Allah (The Exalted) give me benefit in listening and seeing’ vi

Thereafter apply some Surma in the right eye once then the left and so on three times. Listening and hearing are both gifts from Allah (The Exalted) hence we should only use them for permissible things and abstain from using them for the forbidden. For instance it should not be used to look at the opposite sex, dramas, films, listening to backbiting, swearing, listening to music but thank Allah (The Exalted) for these gifts and use them for listening and looking at the Qur’an and listening to Naats/Nasheeds etc.

O Allah (The Exalted)! Give us the ability to apply the Surma at night before going to sleep and gain blessings from this beautiful Sunnah, Ameen! 2 www.GardensOfSunnah.co.uk

i Abu Dawood

ii Tirmidhi

iii Ibn Sa’ad & Tirmidhi

iv Ibn Sa’ad

v Ihya uloom uddeen

vi Hamara Islam, part one, lesson 12.