Why are houris described as white? is dark skin not desirable?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

The description of the Houris (maidens of Paradise) as white in the Quran is actually a description of the state in which Allaah The Exalted has created them. Allaah decrees whatever He wills for His creation; He says (what means): {And Allaah decides; there is no adjuster of His decision. And He is swift in account.} [Quran 13:41]

The fact that they are created white does suggest that the white color is good in quality; however, this does not detract in any way from other colors, whether black or any other one. We have previously highlighted that in Fatwa 274222.

Finally, it is worth highlighting that all the dwellers of Paradise are white, including the ones who were black in this world. For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 133986.

Needless to say, it is more proper for a Muslim to ask questions which lead to performing good deeds, and to leave questions that are of no real benefit to him.

Allaah Knows best.