What is Ithmid? What are its characteristic and benefits?
Ibnul Qaiyum said, “Ithmid is the black Kohl stone. The Kohl tends to be cold and dry and it is beneficial to the eye in that it strengthens it and also strengthens the eye nerve. Ithmid dissolves excess flesh around ulcers and closes the wound while cleansing the area around them.” “Ithmid is the best type of Kohl used for the eye, especially for old people whose eyesight has weakened.”
It also helps as a natural cleansing of the eyes and helps to protect the eyes from dust particles floating in the air, makes the eyelashes grow and makes the vision clearer. The best type of ithmid is found in Asfahan (Iran), but can be found in many parts of the Arab peninsula.
Ibnul Qaiyum said, “Ithmid also relieves headache when it is blended with pure watery honey. When Ithmid is ground and mixed with tender fat and then used as a bandage over burns, it prevents blisters from appearing and also helps cure the skin damage that occurs in cases of burns by fire.”
From various hadith of our Beloved Prophets, Ibnul Qaiyum suggested the the following are the benefits of using Ithmid;
It brightens the vision
it strengthens the growth of the eye lashes
helps reduce skin flap growing on the eyelid
mange of the eyelids and it relaxes eyestrain
helps detoxify eye moisture and eases congestion in tear ducts
helps as a natural cleansing of the eyes; and
helps to protect the eyes from dust particles floating in the air
When and how to apply Ithmid/ Celak?
Ibn ‘Abbaas Radiyallahu ‘Anhu reports: “Rasulullah Sallallahu ‘Alayhi Wasallam applied kuhl of ithmid three times in each eye before sleeping’. In a narration also from Ibn ‘Abbaas Radiyallahu ‘Anhu, it is reported: “Rasuluilah Sallallahu’Alayhi Wasallam had a small container for keeping kuhl, from which he applied in each eye kuhl three times before sleeping’.
Applying it before going to sleep is healthier than using it during the day, as it stays longer in the eye.
Sayyidi Habib Umar bin Hafiz (may Allah protect him and benefit us by him) said, "Kohl is a sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ . It is recommended to apply it before going to sleep. The best type of kohl is called ithmid. It should be applied three times in the right eye and three times in the left eye, similar to the way the hands and feet are washed during wudu. There is a weaker opinion that it should be applied three times to the right eye and twice to the left eye so that the total number of times that it is applied is an odd number."
Du'a when applying Ithmid / Kohl / Celak
اَللّهُمَّ نَوِّرْ بَصَرِيْ وَبَصِيْرَتِيْ وَاجْعَلْ سَرِيْرَتِيْ خَيْرًا مِنْ عَلاَنِيَّتِيْ وَاجْعَلْ عَلاَنِيَّتِيْ صَالِحَةً
Allahumma nawwir basharii wa bashiirotii waj‘al sariirotii khoiron min ‘alaaniyatii, waj‘al ‘alaaniyatii shoolihat.
O Allah, enlighten my sight and my insight, and make my sire better than my physical state, and make my intentions good;
Ya Allah berilah cahaya mataku dan mata hatiku, dan jadikanlah hatiku lebih baik dari pekerjaan dhohirku serta jadikanlah pekerjaan dhohirku selalu baik.
Let's revive a sunnah