HENNA BY JESSICA

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(1) Henna:

The Prophet also recommended using henna for more than hair colouring:

“Whenever somebody came to Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) with complaints of headache, he directed him to undergo cupping and whosoever complained of pain in legs, was advised to apply Henna.” (Bukhari, Abu Dawood)

Modern scientists have many beneficial properties in Henna. In fact, the actual Henna plant is sometimes called the "Magic Plant" because it has a great healing effects. It contains ingredients to be antibacterial, anti-fungal , and anti-hemorrhagic. Henna is useful is healing athlete's foot, fungal skin infections, headaches, burning of the soles and palms, and local inflammation. The leaves and seeds of the plant possess medicinal properties. They both act as cooling agents for the head and body.

Imam Jalaluddin as-Suyuti, in his book 'Medicine of the Prophet' suggests using Henna for mouth ulcers, inflammation, Stomitis burns, and some infections on the skin.

It is related that whenever the Prophet has a sudden headache, he would dye his hair with Henna.
[ibn Maja]

Henna is in many houses, religiously applied in joyous occassions, such as a wedding, or Eid. The designs can include floral patterns, small lines, and geometrical designs and vary from country to country.
However, the Islamic tradition of applying Henna on days of festivities will always be found in different parts of the world, alhamdulilah.

Females generally stay up till the depths of the night, applying the greenish Henna paste to each other's hands, waiting for it to dry, and washing it off to reveal beautiful orange-brown designs; ready to celebrate the blessed day of Eid.


The actual Henna plant - the lawsonia inermis grows in clusters of small, intensely fragrant flowers. Sometimes the flowers are pink or red, but usually they are white. The Perfume made from henna flowers is very sweet and strong.
In a well known hadith, it is recorded that Muhammad said, "the lord of sweet-smelling blossoms in this world and the next is Henna blossom"
[Burayda, as-Suyuti's 'Tibb an-Nabi']

Anas (RadiAllahu anhu) also relates that that Prophet loved sweet-smelling blossoms, especially that of Henna.
[Bayhaqi]

There are many names given around the world to this plant - Henna, Hinna, Mehandi, Mendee, Al-Khanna, Al- henna, khidab, Jamaica Mignonette, Egyptian Privet, Smooth Lawsonia, and others. However, whatever name it is given, it most surely deserves to be called "The Prince of Dyes", as given by the Prophet Muhammad