He would apply kohl to his eyes, showing his strength and power. Every night before sleeping, he would apply kohl called "ismid" three times to each eye. Thus, when he awoke and performed ablution, the kohl itself would be gone, leaving only its effects. He advised, “Continue to apply ismid kohl to your eyes before sleeping. Applying ismid kohl to the eyes gives brightness to the eyes and nourishes the eyelashes.” (Ibn Majah, Tibb. 25)
Applying kohl is a Sunnah before sleep, not after. It should be applied three times to the right eye first, then to the left eye. Thus, by the time of ablution in the morning, the stain of the kohl would be gone, leaving only its effects. This is in keeping with the Sunnah. For men who wish to follow this Sunnah, it is appropriate to apply kohl for health purposes, but not for adornment like women.
Ismid is a black stone resembling red and is abundant in Hijaz. The best is from Isfahan, and some even refer to ismid kohl as Isfahan kohl. Using ismid kohl has various benefits such as stopping tearing, protecting the nerves and veins of the eyes, eliminating excessive moisture, giving brightness to the eyes, purifying them, and strengthening them by promoting the growth of eyelashes. It is very beneficial for the elderly and children. For these reasons, the Prophet commanded his followers to use kohl.
