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Abdullah ibn Umar (R) narrates that the Messenger (SWS) said, "You should use Kohl for it improves the eyesight and makes the eyelashes grow". [Hasan, Saheeh ibn Maajah 3495].
Jabir (R) said, "I heard the Messenger (sws) say: you should use Kohl for it improves the eyesight and makes the eyelashes grow". [Hasan, Saheeh ibn Maajah 3496].
Abdullah ibn Abbas (R) narrated that the Messenger (SWS) said, "The best of your Kohl is Ithmid, for it improves the eyesight and makes the eyelashes grow". [Hasan, Saheeh ibn Maajah 3497].
Ibnul Qaiyum said, "Ithmid is the best type of Kohl used for the eye, especially for old people whose eyesight has weakened". [p.251 Eng trans. Medicine of the Prophet by Imam ibnul Qaiyum].
Ibnul Qaiyum said, "Ithmid is the black Kohl stone… the Kohl tends to be cold and dry and it is beneficial to the eye in that it strengthens it and also strengthens the eye nerve. Ithmid dissolves excess flesh around ulcers and closes the wound while cleansing the area around them". [p.251 Eng trans. Medicine of the Prophet by Imam ibnul Qaiyum].
Ibnul Qaiyum said, "Ithmid also relieves headache when it is blended with pure watery honey. When Ithmid is ground and mixed with tender fat and then used as a bandage over burns, it prevents blisters from appearing and also helps cure the skin damage that occurs in cases of burns by fire". [p.251 Eng trans. Medicine of the Prophet by Imam ibnul Qaiyum].
There is a misconception amongst many Muslims that the kohl ithmid from the Sunnah is red. However, this is incorrect. Ibnul Qaiyum said, "Ithmid is the black Kohl stone…". Likewise, shaikh Obaid Al-Jabari of Madina, Saudi Arabia said that the kohl ithmid from the Sunnah is black and Allah knows best. The best type of kohl ithmid is from Asfaghan, Iran.
Narrated by Tirmizi that Ibn Abbass Radi Allaho Anh said:
وفى الترمذي : عن ابن عباس رضى الله عنهما ، قال : كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا اكتحَلَ يجعلُ فى اليمنَى ثلاثاً ، يبتدىء بها ، ويختم بها ، وفى اليُسْرى ثنتين
Whenever the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam) used to apply Kohl, he would use it thrice in the right eye; beginning with it and finishing with it and twice in the left eye.”
In addition, Abu Dawood narrated that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam said:
وقد روى أبو داود عنه صلى الله عليه وسلم : مَنْ اكْتَحَلَ فلْيُوتِرْ
“Those who use Kohl should use it an odd number of times.”
One should use an odd number of times when applying Kohl in both eyes, thrice in the right eye and then twice in the left eye. Or, one should use the Kohl thrice in each eye, as Imam Ahmad has stated.
Ibn Majah narrated in his Sunan that Prophet Muhammad Sallallaho Alaihe Wasallam that he said:
وفى سنن ابن ماجه عن سالم ، عن أبيه يرفعه : عَلَيْكُم بالإثْمِدِ ، فإنَّهُ يَجْلُو البَصَر ، ويُنْبِتُ الشَّعرَ
"Use Ithmid (Antimony), because it clears the eye and grows the eyelashes".
وفى كتاب أبى نُعيم : فإنه مَنْبَتَةٌ للشَّعر ، مذهبة للقذَى ، مصْفاة للبصر
Narrated by Abu Naeem “Kohl Ithmid grows the eyelashes, removes eyesores & clears the vision”.
The Ithmid is the black Kohl stone. The best type of Ithmid is found in Asfahan (Iran), but it is also found in western areas (Morocco). The best type of Ithmid is that which fragmentizes quickly and which has shiny morsels. In addition, the interior of the Ithmid is polished and does not contain any impurities.
The Kohl preserves the health of the eyes. It tends to be cold and dry and it is beneficial to the eye in that it strengthens it and strengthens the eye nerves, clears the sight and removes harmful substances, along with adding a touch of beauty to the eye. Ithmid dissolves excess flesh around ulcers and closes the wound while cleansing the area around them. Ithmid relieves headaches when it is blended with pure watery (not thick) honey. When Ithmid is ground and mixed with tender fat and then used as a bandage over fire burns, it prevents blisters from appearing and helps cure the skin damage that occurs in cases of burns by fire. Ithmid is the best type of Kohl used for the eye, especially for old people whose eyesight has weakened. In this ease, it is better that Kohl is mixed with some Musk.
When one uses Kohl before he goes to sleep, it is beneficial for the eye, especially since the eyes will not be moving and thus the Kohl will have its most favorable affect. The Ithmid type of Kohl is especially effective in this regard. | 
