Can I Use Makeup Brushes Made From Animal Hair?

Answered by Ustadh Tabraze Azam

Question: Assalam alaykum

Can I use makeup brushes made from animal hair?

Answer: Assalamu alaikum wa rahmatullah,

Yes, it is permissible to use brushes made from animal hair because hair itself is considered to be pure. The exception is that it is impermissible to use (1) human or (2) pig hair.

The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) interdicted consuming the meat from unslaughtered animals, and not the usage of the skin, hair or wool. [Daraqutni]

[Shurunbulali, Maraqi al-Falah with Tahtawi’s Gloss (1.238)]

Please also see: Is It Permissible to Use Brushes that Are Made of Animal Hair Other than Pig? and: Can I Use Paintbrushes Made of Pig Hair?

And Allah Most High alone knows best.

[Ustadh] Tabraze Azam

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Ustadh Tabraze Azam holds a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Leicester, where he also served as the President of the Islamic Society. He memorised the entire Qur’an in his hometown of Ipswich at the tender age of sixteen, and has since studied the Islamic Sciences in traditional settings in the UK, Jordan and Turkey. He is currently pursuing advanced studies in Jordan, where he is presently based with his family.

Photo: Natasia Causse