Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Br`s Assalamualaikum,
I have a question about opening a cosmatic business in USA. I would like to know if it is halaal to open such kind of business. This Business will sell all bueaty products for mostly women and few things for men as well. As Islam prohibts women from showing her beauty to other than the mehram (Husband) and 99% of the woment in US use the makeup as a primary source and way to intemidate men and do all the haram like dating, zina and after that all the haram things that Islam has prohibited. In doing such business I feel that one will be promoting these kind of acts in the socity. Allah SWT has asked us not even go near to zina.

Please advise me if my understanding is correct or I can open the beauty products store in a mall. An early answer would help me a lot to think about other businesses.

JazakAllah Khair.

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Answer:

Is cosmetics business halaal?

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad(saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 275: Those who devour usury will not stand except as stands one whom the Evil One by his touch hath driven to madness. That is because they say: "Trade is like usury but Allah hath permitted trade and forbidden usury. Those who after receiving direction from their Lord desist shall be pardoned for the past; their case is for Allah (to judge); but those who repeat (the offence) are companions of the fire: they will abide therein (for ever).

Allah has permitted trading for the believers, provided the product that is being traded is in its essence not forbidden. Cosmetics or beauty products for women are not amongst the list of forbidden things (wine, pork, gambling, etc.) in Shariah, and thus the trading of these products would be considered absolutely halaal for the believers.

The responsibility of not displaying her beauty in public would be the duty and responsibility of the woman, not the business where she bought the beauty products.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan