Allah, the Lord of Glory, has doubled the beauty of the universe by creating woman. Although she is a delicate gender, she is one of the most beautiful creations in the universe. When a man begins his life with a woman through marriage, then, by the grace of Allah, the companionship of the wife becomes sufficient for his life’s challenges. Together, they create a good home, a good society, and a good world. Not only men need women, but women also have a strong need for men. However, men generally have more desire compared to women. The reason for this is that Allah has endowed women with beautiful creation and attractive qualities. Islam adopts purity in all its principles; since a woman is attractive to the opposite gender, she is commanded to observe hijab from all non-mahram men. She is even commanded to cover her hair, as praying with an uncovered head is not permissible. The woman’s entire body is considered a form of hijab, which is why she is instructed to cover her body from head to toe with thick clothing. This article will explain the rulings regarding a woman’s hair so that Muslim women can understand the Shariah status of these matters.
Protecting the hair of the head, combing it, and applying oil:
Firstly, it should be known here that combing daily is prohibited for men, but since women have thick and long hair, there is no harm in combing as needed for women. In fact, married women should groom their hair for their husbands, using oil, combs, and beautifying items. However, they should be careful not to waste too much time or be extravagant in oiling, combing, and beautifying, as many women are seen to exaggerate in washing hair, drying it in the sun, and beautifying it, spending most of the day and even night on hair care and protection. Similarly, they should not go outside after applying perfume or fragrant oil to their hair; the use of fragrance should be limited to the home.
A woman can comb her hair at any time of the day or night, even during menstruation, postpartum bleeding, and impurity from sexual intercourse. However, those intending to offer sacrifice on the occasion of Eid al-Adha should comb gently and calmly during these days. There is no prohibition on combing during the state of Ihram, but since cutting or breaking hair is forbidden in Ihram, combing should be avoided if it causes hair to break. If it is certain that combing will break the hair, then it should not be done under any circumstances. Beautifying oneself is prohibited during the waiting period (‘Iddah), so a woman should neither comb nor use any beautifying items in her hair during ‘Iddah.
Method of Keeping Hair and Parting for Women
The parting of the hair of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was in the middle of the head. Umm al-Mu’minin Sayyida Aisha (RA) narrates:
كنتُ إذا أردتُ أن أَفرُقَ رأسَ رسولِ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ ، صدَعتُ الفرقَ من يافوخِهِ وأرسلُ ناصيتَهُ بينَ عَينيهِ(صحيح أبي داود:4189)
Translation: When I used to part the hair of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I would part it from the very middle of his head and let the hair from his forehead hang in front of his eyes, meaning I would part it evenly on both sides.
In the matter of parting hair, men and women are equal. That is, following the example of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, one should part the hair from the middle of the head. Parting the hair crookedly is against the Sunnah of the Messenger and resembles the disbelievers and polytheists. Therefore, no Muslim woman should part her hair crookedly, neither from the right side nor from the left side. However, there is no harm in combing the hair to the right or left side without parting it. Similarly, there is no harm in letting the hair hang on the shoulder, braiding it, or letting it hang on the back without braids. There is also no harm in gathering the hair at the back of the head, tying a ribbon on the upper part, and leaving the lower part of the hair hanging down the back.
Hair Braid and Wudu and Ghusl
There is no harm in women braiding their hair. During the time of the Prophet, women used to braid their hair. It is narrated from Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها that she said:
قُلتُ: يا رَسولَ اللهِ، إنِّي امْرَأَةٌ أشُدُّ ضَفْرَ رَأْسِي فأنْقُضُهُ لِغُسْلِ الجَنَابَةِ؟ قالَ: لَا. إنَّما يَكْفِيكِ أنْ تَحْثِي علَى رَأْسِكِ ثَلَاثَ حَثَيَاتٍ ثُمَّ تُفِيضِينَ عَلَيْكِ المَاءَ فَتَطْهُرِينَ(صحيح مسلم:330)
Translation: I asked: O Messenger of Allah! I am a woman who braids her hair tightly; should I undo it for the ritual bath (ghusl) of janabah? He said: No, it is sufficient for you to pour water over your head three times, then pour water over yourself, and you will become pure.
From this hadith, it is understood that there is no harm for women to braid their hair. A woman can also perform prayer while her hair is braided. There is no need to undo the braid while performing wudu for prayer; one can wipe over the hair. Similarly, there is no need to undo the braid during the ghusl of janabah, as is clear from this hadith: pouring water over the head three times is sufficient. There is a difference of opinion regarding undoing the braid during the ghusl of menstruation and postpartum bleeding. Some have ruled it obligatory to undo it. Their evidence is the hadith in which during Hajj, when Aisha رضي الله عنها was purified from menstruation, the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم commanded her:
انقُضي شَعرَك واغتسِلي قالَ عليٌّ في حديثِه انقُضي رأسَك(صحيح ابن ماجه:530)
Translation: Undo your hair and perform ghusl. In the narration of Ali bin Muhammad, it is stated: “Undo your head.”
Those who say it is not obligatory respond that this is specific to Hajj. Some other narrations, for example in Tabarani, explicitly mention that during menstruation the braid should be undone, but during janabah only water should be poured over the head without undoing the braid. Sheikh Albani has declared this narration weak.
In light of the evidences, the stronger opinion regarding this issue is that it is not necessary to undo the braid during the ghusl of janabah, menstruation, or postpartum bleeding; pouring water over the head three times is sufficient. However, care should be taken that water reaches the roots of the hair while pouring water over the head.
Here, a matter related to the ghusl of a deceased woman should also be noted: if a woman passes away and is given ghusl, her hair should be braided into three braids and placed at the back. Umm Atiyah رضي الله عنها narrates a hadith regarding the ghusl of one of the daughters of the Prophet ﷺ at her death, the last words of which are:
Translation: We braided her hair into three braids and placed them behind her back.
Wiping the Head in Wudu for Women
There is no difference between men and women in wiping the head; Allah Almighty says: “وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ” meaning “wipe your heads.” This command includes both men and women. The Prophet taught us the method of wiping by passing the wet hands over the front part of the head up to the crown and then bringing them back forward, and then wiping the inner part of the ears with the index finger and the outer part with the thumb.
A woman does not need to expose her hair, nor does she need to undo her braid if she has one. She can pass her hands over her hair inside the dupatta, and if there are no unrelated men around, there is no harm in the head being uncovered and the hair being loose.
A woman can wipe over her dupatta while performing wudu if she has tied her head firmly with the dupatta due to cold or otherwise, because removing it would cause difficulty and inconvenience. Similarly, if she has applied henna on her head, she can wipe over it as well.
Making a Bun and Praying with a Bun
In Sahih Muslim (2128), one characteristic of women destined for Hell is mentioned: رُؤُوسُهُنَّ كَأَسْنِمَةِ البُخْتِ المائِلَةِ, meaning their buns will be tilted to one side like the hump of a camel. The scholars of Hadith have explained several meanings of this; among them, Imam Nawawi, attributing to Qazi, stated that gathering the hair on top of the middle of the head in a bun resembling a camel’s hump is included. Thus, it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to make a bun of her hair.
If a woman, out of ignorance, prays in this condition provided her hair was covered, her prayer is valid and does not need to be repeated. However, this practice is neither correct during prayer nor outside of prayer, so it should be avoided permanently.
How is it for a woman to appear with an uncovered head in front of her Mahram relatives?
A woman can reveal her face in front of her mahram just as she can show her hair; therefore, there is no harm in appearing with an uncovered head in front of her mahrams. Allah says: وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَائِهِنَّ أَوْ آبَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَائِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَاءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ(النور:31)
Translation: And do not display your adornment except to your husbands, or your fathers, or your husbands’ fathers, or your sons, or your husbands’ sons, or your brothers, or your nephews, or your nieces.
In light of this verse, a woman can keep her hands, feet, head, hair, and neck uncovered in front of her mahrams; therefore, she can appear with an uncovered head or hair in front of her mahrams.
There is a difference of opinion regarding a Muslim woman appearing with an uncovered head and face in front of a non-Muslim woman. Sheikh Ibn Uthaymeen, may Allah have mercy on him, says that my inclination is that if there is no temptation, there is no difference between a Muslim woman and a non-Muslim woman; however, if there is fear of temptation, for example, if the woman describes the attributes of a woman to male relatives, then it is necessary to avoid temptation. In such a case, she should not reveal any part of her body in front of the other woman, neither feet nor hair, whether the woman is Muslim or non-Muslim.
Prayer Bareheaded with a Thin Dupatta
We should first understand that Salah (prayer) is the most important act of worship performed before the Lord, therefore women should fully observe the covering of ‘satr’ (modesty) in Salah. There is a narration from Ibn Abi Shaybah which Sheikh Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) has declared authentic.
قال ابنُ عمرَ إذا صلت المرأةُ فلتصلِّ في ثيابِها كلِّها : الدرعِ والخمارِ والملحفةِ(تمام المنة:162)
Translation: Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) said: When a woman prays, she should pray in complete clothing, meaning a shirt, a dupatta, and a chadar over the shirt.
This attire for women was well-known among the Salaf (pious predecessors), therefore during Salah, where a woman must cover her hands, feet, and entire body (except the face, but if there are strangers present, then the face must also be covered), she must also properly cover her hair with the dupatta. The Prophet ﷺ said: لا يقبَلُ اللَّهُ صَلاةَ حائضٍ إلَّا بخِمارٍ(صحيح أبي داود:641)
Translation: Allah Almighty does not accept the prayer of a menstruating woman (adult woman) without a dupatta.
Imam Abu Dawood mentioned this hadith under the chapter ” المرأۃ لا تصلی بغیر خمار” stating that a woman should not pray without a dupatta.
It is understood that in Salah a woman must cover her head, and her clothing should be thick enough to fully cover the body parts. Therefore, whether in Salah or outside of it, it is not permissible for a woman to wear thin clothing that reveals the contours of her body parts. Even in Salah, she should not wear any clothing that reveals her hands, feet, calves, any part of the body, or hair.
Regarding weak and sick women, they too must cover their heads with a dupatta in such a way that no hair is visible during Salah. The same ruling applies to young women, patients, weak, and elderly women. However, outside of Salah, a woman may keep her head uncovered in private or in front of her mahrams (close relatives). If the illness or weakness is so severe that it is impossible to fully observe the hijab during Salah and there is no one to assist, then she should observe it as much as possible. Allah Almighty does not burden anyone beyond their capacity.
The ruling on women shaving their heads and cutting their hair
It is obligatory for Muslim women to keep their head hair complete, and shaving it without necessity is forbidden. Similarly, it is not permissible for women to cut their hair without necessity, even if it is on the husband’s command. During the time of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, women had full hair, and women with short hair used wigs, upon which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ sent a curse.
لعنَ النَّبيُّ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ الواصلةَ والمستَوصلةَ ،والواشمةَ والمستَوشمةَ(صحيح البخاري:5940)
Translation: The Prophet ﷺ cursed those who attach artificial hair to their natural hair, those who have it attached, those who sew it on, and those who have it sewn on.
Therefore, it is established by the command of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ that women should keep their hair and not cut it. Hence, it is not permissible for women to shave their heads or cut their hair without necessity. In Hajj and Umrah, women are instructed to cut a fingertip’s length of hair, and if a woman needs to cut her hair due to illness or other reasons, then it will be permissible.
Regarding the wives of the Prophet ﷺ, it is mentioned in Sahih Muslim that Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
وكان أزواجُ النبيِّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يَأخذْنَ مِن رؤوسِهنَّ حتى تكونَ كالوَفْرَةِ
Translation: Indeed, the wives of the Prophet ﷺ used to cut their hair until it reached their ears.
Based on this hadith, some scholars have permitted women to cut their hair, although this hadith is specific to the purified wives of the Prophet ﷺ, who did this after the death of the Prophet ﷺ as a form of abandoning adornment. If a woman wants to cut her hair out of necessity, she is allowed, but cutting hair for fashion, imitation of Western culture, or to resemble men will be considered forbidden.
Some unmarried young girls are seen cutting some hair from the front part of their head and making a lock that falls on their face. Cutting hair in this amount is not objectionable provided it does not resemble that of a prostitute, but for unmarried young girls, this causes fitnah (temptation), and such girls usually do not observe hijab. Their guardians should forbid them from keeping such hair. At this time, for whom are they adorning themselves in this style? It is a different matter if they do so after marriage for their husbands.
Order for Shaving the Head of a Newborn Girl
There is a difference of opinion among scholars on whether the head of a newborn girl should be shaved on the seventh day like a boy or not. Some Hanbali scholars prohibit shaving (halq) for girls, while Imam Malik and Imam Shafi’i hold that girls’ hair should be shaved just like boys’. The prohibition or allowance depends on their respective methods of reasoning. Those who prohibit argue that the ahadith specifically mention shaving for slaves, which refers to a male child, and there are prohibitions regarding shaving for girls (females). Those who do not prohibit argue that the text is general, and just as a slave (boy) is included, so is a maid (girl). In light of the evidence, shaving the head of a newborn girl on the seventh day, just like naming and performing ‘aqiqah, is Sunnah, and giving silver charity equivalent to the hair is also Sunnah. For a detailed article, see my blog titled “Shaving the Head of a Newborn Girl on the Seventh Day.”
Prohibition of Plucking White Hair and the Command to Change It
Firstly: It should be known that plucking out white hairs is prohibited, and women are included in this prohibition. The Prophet ﷺ said:
لا تنتِفوا الشَّيبَ ما من مسلِمٍ يشيبُ شيبةً في الإسلامِ إلَّا كانت لَهُ نورًا يومَ القيامةِ إلَّا كتبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِها حسنةً وحطَّ عنهُ بِها خطيئةً(صحيح أبي داود:4202)
Translation: Do not pluck out white hairs, because if a Muslim has any hair that turns white during Islam, it will be a light for him on the Day of Judgment, and Allah will record a good deed for him and erase a sin from him in return.
Secondly: It should be known that it is Sunnah for both men and women that when whiteness appears in the hair, it should be changed with any color other than black. It is narrated from Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما that on the day of the conquest of Makkah, Abu Quhafa (the father of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr رضي الله عنه) was brought, and the hair on his head and beard was white like the Thaghama plant, so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: غيِّروا هذا بشيءٍ ، واجتَنِبوا السَّوادَ(صحيح مسلم:2102)
Translation: Change it with some color and avoid black.
It is narrated in Sahih Bukhari: إن اليهودَ والنصارى لا يصبُغون ، فخالفوهم(صحيح البخاري:3462)
Translation: Indeed, the Jews and Christians do not dye their hair, so oppose them.
From these Ahadith, it is understood that we (men and women) should apply dye to our white hairs, and black dye is prohibited.
Thirdly: It should be known that any color other than black, such as henna, saffron, or even a black mix (i.e., mixing black with another color to create a different color) can be used for dyeing. Only pure black dye is prohibited.
Fourthly: It is also correct that as many white hairs as there are, only those should be dyed, or the entire head can be dyed. That is, there is no harm in dyeing some parts and leaving others. However, in this practice, one must avoid imitating a prostitute.
Fifthly: Nowadays, women imitate others in dyeing their hair. One such custom has emerged where the hair on the head is dyed with different colors at the same time. In reality, this is fashion and imitation of a prostitute woman. Muslim women must avoid this. However, if a method of using different colors does not resemble a prostitute woman, then there is no harm in that method, for example, mixing different colors to prepare one color and applying it.
Sixthly: Some women ask that they have unknowingly prayed many prayers while having black dye on their hair. What will happen to those prayers? The answer is that dyeing is one act, and prayer is another separate act. The prayers performed with black dye on the hair are valid and do not need to be repeated. However, the woman who applies black dye should sincerely repent from this sin for the future.
Straightening or Curling Hair
Sometimes, some women naturally have curly hair, and in such cases, straightening the hair is necessary and there is no harm in it. However, unnecessarily curling straight hair for the purpose of adornment is permissible if it is for the sake of the husband, but if it is done to attract others or to imitate non-mahram people, then it is not permissible.
Adding Hair, Wearing Wigs, or Hair Transplantation
Attaching artificial hair to natural hair is forbidden, and the woman who does so is cursed. The Prophet ﷺ said:
لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الواصِلَةَ والمُسْتَوْصِلَةَ، والواشِمَةَ والمُسْتَوْشِمَةَ(صحيح البخاري:5937)
Translation: Allah Almighty has cursed both the one who attaches artificial hair and the one who has it attached, as well as the one who applies kohl and the one who has it applied.
In light of this hadith, neither can artificial hair be attached to natural hair nor can wigs made of artificial hair be worn. If a woman becomes bald, hair transplantation is permissible for her, and using a wig to conceal the defect is also permissible. Wearing a wig or attaching hair for pleasure while having natural hair is forbidden. If a woman wears a wig out of necessity, Sheikh Muhammad bin Salih Al-Munajjid has stated that it is not permissible to wipe over it during ablution; that is, it must be removed.
Burying Broken Hair
Women often ask whether hair that falls on the ground should be buried so that people do not use it for wrongful purposes.
The answer is that there is no specific text regarding burying hair; however, some scholars consider it a good practice to bury it. If there is a fear of witchcraft, which is quite common nowadays, then it should be buried in a safe place. Hair can also be hidden in the ground to prevent the gaze of strange men. Many women fall prey to superstitions and attribute every matter to jinn effects. I advise these women to regularly perform prayers, frequently recite Istighfar (seeking forgiveness), and consistently maintain purity and remembrance of Allah. With Allah’s help, neither will anyone’s magic affect you, nor will any devil be able to harm you.
Decoration of the Bride’s Hair
There is an issue that it is forbidden for a married or unmarried woman to adorn and beautify her hair in the presence of a strange man. There is no objection to beautifying hair by a woman in women’s salons or at home on the occasion of a wedding. One should avoid those matters which have been prohibited and the forbidden matters mentioned above. On the occasion of a wedding, decorate the bride’s hair but avoid extravagance and resembling an immoral and indecent woman.
The Islamic ruling on working in a beauty parlor
It is very difficult to avoid un-Islamic matters in a beauty parlor, such as eyebrow shaping, cutting hair short, attaching artificial hair, unnecessarily looking at women’s private parts for beautification, a woman engaging in forbidden acts like singing, dancing, or adorning herself for men other than her husband, etc. Besides these, if there is mixing with men anywhere, a woman has to go out alone from home for this job. If a woman can avoid all these corrupt and unlawful acts and remain within Islamic limits while working in a beauty parlor, then there is no harm. But if she cannot avoid un-Islamic matters, then in that case, doing this job will not be permissible. In one word, it can be said that beautification work is intrinsically permissible, and adopting this profession and earning wages from it is also permissible, but if unlawful acts have to be done in this profession, then that income is not permissible.
Misconceptions about Lady Barber
There are some misconceptions among the public regarding women’s hair, which are mentioned here to clarify that these things have no truth.
* Long hair of women will be a cause of covering (purdah) on the Day of Judgment.
* It is necessary to keep a dupatta on the head at the time of Azan.
* It is a common belief that combing hair with a broken comb brings poverty to the house.
* Women tying their hair while standing brings poverty to the house.
* Applying henna on hair while fasting breaks the fast.
All these are false statements and rumors; they have no truth.
