Whether henna blocks water from reaching skin

3-1-2018 | IslamWeb

Question:

Assalaamu alaykum. I am referring to the question I sent in earlier; question No. 2683980. I asked about henna and the validatity of ablution and Ghusl (ritual bath). You referred to some other similair questions and answers. Now I am not sure whether I got the exact answers to my questions. So, if a henna product coats the hairline but does not get into the hair, will this make a barrier, or does the color remain tangible? Or is it just the henna that you first apply to the hair that makes a barrier, but then after you wash it, there is no barrier but just color? My other question is whehter the henna has to be called "mehndi" for it to be halal, or can it be called something else, like, for example, a latin name, as long as it is natural? May Allah bless you.

---

Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad, sallallahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

If the henna has a mass that blocks water from reaching the skin and hair, then it is a barrier. If it is only a color, then it is not considered a barrier. If it has a mass but it is removed by washing with water and only the color remains, then the purification is valid. We have sufficiently answered your questions before about these cases. Please, refer to fatwas 39045and 307549.

It is not a condition for deeming henna lawful that it is called a certain name; rather, it is lawful regardless of the name that it is given.

Allah knows best.