A Coruscation on the Views of Muslim Scholars on the Use of Traditional Herbal Enhancement Substances (Kayan Mata) among Muslim Women in the Northwestern Nigeria

The consumption of traditional herbal enhancement substances, locally referred to as Kayan Mata, has gained increasing social visibility among Muslim women in Northern Nigeria. While these herbal supplements are widely marketed for purported benefits related to beauty, marital satisfaction, and reproductive health, their use raises theological, health, and ethical concerns within the Muslim community. Given the influence of religious authority on personal and societal behaviour in the region, Muslim scholars play a critical role in shaping normative attitudes toward such practices. However, there remains a paucity of comprehensive scholarly analysis on how Islamic jurisprudence and ethical frameworks inform the perspectives of these scholars regarding Kayan Mata. This study aims to: Examine the interpretations and positions of Muslim scholars in Northern Nigeria on the use of traditional herbal enhancement substances by Muslim women. Identify the Islamic legal (fiqh) reasoning and ethical principles that underpin scholars’ views. Assess how religious guidance intersects with health, morality, and social norms in influencing women’s attitudes toward Kayan Mata. A qualitative research design was employed, drawing on purposive sampling to interview Muslim scholars (both male and female) across key cities in Northern Nigeria, including Sokoto, Kaduna, Kano, and Maiduguri. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions, and review of fatāwā (religious edicts) issued by local Islamic authorities. Responses were analysed thematically using Islamic jurisprudential frameworks and contextualized within broader sociocultural discourse. Findings indicate a diversity of scholarly opinions: A majority of scholars expressed cautious discouragement, citing concerns about ḥarām (prohibited) elements in certain herbs, unverified health claims, and the potential for physical harm or addiction. Some scholars recognized permissibility (mubāḥ) when substances are proven safe, beneficial, and free from prohibited components (e.g., alcohol, intoxicants), emphasizing maslahah (public good) and avoidance of mafsadah (harm). A minority adopted a contextual permissive stance, grounding their reasoning in the Islamic legal principle of lā ḍarara wa lā ḍirār (no harm, no reciprocating harm), asserting that individual autonomy within safety parameters is acceptable. Across responses, there was a strong emphasis on seeking qualified medical consultation, transparent ingredient disclosure, and ethical marketing practices.