4 Sharʿī Principles for a Wife Cutting Her Hair for Beautification
Source: Fatāwā ad-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 413
Question:
Is it permissible for a woman to cut part of her hair for the purpose of beautifying herself for her husband?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
A woman is permitted to cut her hair under certain conditions. However, shaving the head entirely is not permissible.
If a woman cuts her hair for the sake of beautification for her husband, the following conditions must be observed:
❖ Sharʿī Conditions for Permissibility
◈ No Imitation of Men
Because the Prophet ﷺ said:
"The Prophet ﷺ cursed women who imitate men."
(Hadith)
Imitating men is explicitly forbidden in Islam.
◈ Avoid Resemblance to Disbelievers, Especially Christians
Because the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Whoever imitates a people is from among them."
Thus, resembling non-Muslim customs, especially those specific to certain nations, is not allowed.
◈ Must Not Oppose Local Cultural Norms
This is based on the hadith:
"Whoever wears a garment for the sake of fame in this world, Allah will clothe him with a garment of disgrace on the Day of Judgment."
(Aḥmad, Abū Dāwūd; also in Mishkāt 2/375)
Meaning: The woman should not adopt a hairstyle that is fame-seeking, attention-grabbing, or against the customary practices of the society.
◈ Husband Must Approve of It
The woman should cut her hair with the intention of pleasing her husband, and he should be pleased with this action.
❖ Evidences for Permissibility
◈ Permission to Cut Hair in the State of Iḥrām
During Ḥajj and ʿUmrah, it is permissible for a woman in iḥrām to cut her hair, which proves that women are allowed to trim their hair to a certain extent.
◈ Narration from Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim
In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (1/148), under the chapter:
“The measure of water used for the ritual bath of a person in janābah,”
Abū Salamah (رحمه الله) reports:
“The wives of the Prophet ﷺ used to cut their hair until it became like wafrah (reaching the earlobes or slightly above).”
Imām Nawawī (رحمه الله) comments in Sharḥ Muslim:
“This hadith is proof of the permissibility of women shortening their hair.”
◈ General Principle of Permissibility
There is no specific prohibition in Shariah against women cutting their hair (unlike men, for whom shaving the beard is forbidden).
However, it is preferable for a woman to leave her hair in its natural state to avoid doubtful matters.
❖ Further Clarification by Scholars
Imām al-Shanqīṭī (رحمه الله) in Aḍwāʾ al-Bayān (5/595, 600) states:
“For a woman to shave her head is detrimental to her beauty and causes ugliness.
It is also evident that in some countries, the custom of women cutting their hair near the roots originates from European influence.
This practice contradicts the traditions of Muslim women as well as pre-Islamic Arab women.
Therefore, it is one of those innovations in which many have fallen, from a religious, moral, and societal standpoint.”
هَذَا مَا عِنْدِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
