10th January 2025
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: What is the ruling on applying (lawful) waterproof and water-resistant skincare products to the skin before wudhu? Is the wudhu valid or not?
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer
In reference to your query, waterproof and water-resistant skincare products are both slightly different in their nature. Waterproof makeups refer to products that are specifically formulated to resist moisture and stay in place when exposed to water. Waterproof formulas typically contain ingredients that give the adhesive qualities, so they stick to your skin, lashes, brows, etc. It is intended for short periods of water exposure like sweating or crying or be so sticky so they can withstand a few laps in the pool. Most companies that manufacture waterproof makeup generally use the following ingredients to create products that resist water and stay in place: Film Formers are the most the common form of waterproofing ingredients. This class of synthetics molecule includes PVP, acrylates, acrylamide, silicones, and copolymers. Water-resistant products are not as effective when exposed to too much moisture. It can resist water to some degree, but not for long or completely. Water-resistant makeups are suitable for light rain showers, but not for heavy rain. They are usually made from products which make it harder for water to penetrate.
The difference between waterproof and water-resistant is that waterproof skincare inhibits water from reaching the skin, it can in certain products completely block out moisture and keep on working even when submerged underwater. It is formulated to stay intact even in heavy rain, snow or even swimming. This does not allow water to reach the skin during wudhu and therefore must be removed otherwise the wudhu will not be valid.[1] Contrarily, water-resistant skincare only remains on the skin in the presence of slight moisture (i.e. minimal sweat) and if you were to wash your face or any other area of the body where you have applied these types of water-resistant skincare products, there is a high chance water would rinse it off. Indicating that water will reach the skin in which case it would not be necessary to remove it prior to wudhu.[2]
In conclusion, not all products are created equally in this regard; some mascaras, concealers and foundations are particularly robust in terms of waterproof material. However, regarding products such as sunblock or sunscreen which absorb into the skin as a cream, have less of an effect in comparison to waterproof products and allow water to penetrate the skin. By washing the limbs thoroughly whilst performing wudhu should be sufficient with water-resistant products. As for waterproof skincare or makeup products, removing it before making wudhu is necessary otherwise it won’t suffice.[3]
[Allāh Knows Best]
Written by: Apa Sumayya Qazi Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed
Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department
[1] Zuhayli, Al-fiqhu Islami wa dillatuhu vol 1 page 145
ازالة ما يمنع وصول الماء الى العضو: أي ألا يكون على العضو الواجب غسله حائل يمنع وصول الماء إلى البشرة، كشمع و شحم و دهن و دهان، و منه عماص العين، والحبر الصيني المتجسم، وطلاء الأظافر لنساء. أما الزيت ونحوه فلا يمنع نفوذ الماء للبشرة.
وقد اتفقت المذاهب الفقهية الأربعة على أنه يشترط لصحة الوضوء إزالة ما يمنع وصول الماء إلى الأعضاء .
ينظر : “الموسوعة الفقهية” (43/329) .
Al-Musili, ikhtiyarat, Kitab Taharah, vol 1 page 16
قال شيخ الإسلام رحمه الله: (منع يسير وسخ في ظفر ونحوه وصول الماء صحت الطهارة وهو وجه لأصحابنا, ومثله كل يسير منع وصول الماء حيث كان كدم وعجين)
[2] See details on waterproof vs water resistant products.
[3] Muheet Burhani, Kitab Taharah, vol 1 page 33
فقد روي عن أبي حنيفة رحمة الله: لا بأس بأن يغسل الرجل الوجه وهو مغمض عينيه، و في رواية الحسن أن أبا حنيفة رحمه الله سئل أتغسل العين بالماء؟ قال:لا، و عن الفقيه أحمد بن إبراهيم أن من غسل وجهه و غمض عينه تغميضا شديدا لا يجوز ذلك و قيل فمن رمدت عينيه فرمصت فأصبح رمصها في جانب العين يجب إيصال الماء تحت مجتمع الرمص ، و يجب إيصال الماء إلى المآقي
الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (1/ 154)
(قَوْلُهُ: بِهِ يُفْتَى) صَرَّحَ بِهِ فِي الْخُلَاصَةِ وَقَالَ: لِأَنَّ الْمَاءَ شَيْءٌ لَطِيفٌ يَصِلُ تَحْتَهُ غَالِبًا اهـ وَيَرُدُّ عَلَيْهِ مَا قَدَّمْنَاهُ آنِفًا وَمُفَادُهُ عَدَمُ الْجَوَازِ إذَا عُلِمَ أَنَّهُ لَمْ يَصِلْ الْمَاءُ تَحْتَهُ، قَالَ فِي الْحِلْيَةِ وَهُوَ أَثْبَتُ. (قَوْلُهُ: إنْ صُلْبًا) بِضَمِّ الصَّادِ الْمُهْمَلَةِ وَسُكُونِ اللَّامِ وَهُوَ الشَّدِيدُ حِلْيَةٌ: أَيْ إنْ كَانَ مَمْضُوغًا مَضْغًا مُتَأَكِّدًا، بِحَيْثُ تَدَاخَلَتْ أَجْزَاؤُهُ وَصَارَ لَهُ لُزُوجَةٌ وَعِلَاكَةٌ كَالْعَجِينِ شَرْحُ الْمُنْيَة (قَوْلُهُ: وَهُوَ الْأَصَحُّ) صَرَّحَ بِهِ فِي شَرْحِ الْمُنْيَةِ وَقَالَ لِامْتِنَاعِ نُفُوذِ الْمَاءِ