Written by: Maqbool Ahmad Salafi
Islamic Da'wah Center, Northern Taif – Misrah, Saudi Arabia✦ The Honor and Significance of Woman in Creation
Allah ﷻ, the Lord of Majesty, enhanced the beauty of the universe by creating woman. Although delicate by nature, she is among the most beautiful elements of creation. When a man starts his life with a woman through the bond of marriage, the companionship of his wife becomes a sufficient aid for his life’s affairs by Allah's grace. Together, they build a good home, a virtuous society, and a better world.Both men and women are dependent on each other, though generally, men show a greater inclination toward women. This is due to the inherent beauty and attraction Allah has instilled in women. Islam, in its pure teachings, emphasizes modesty and purity. Since a woman is naturally attractive to the opposite gender, Islam commands her to observe ḥijāb from all non-mahram (unrelated) men, including covering her hair. Even her prayer is not valid with an uncovered head. The entire body of a woman is considered ʿawrah (to be concealed), hence she is instructed to cover herself from head to toe with thick garments.
In this detailed article, rulings concerning a woman’s hair will be discussed, so Muslim women can understand the Islamic stance on such matters.
◈ Protection, Combing, and Oiling of Hair
Firstly, it should be noted that daily combing for men is discouraged. However, since women have thick and long hair, there is no harm if they comb their hair as needed. Married women are encouraged to adorn themselves for their husbands—using oil, combs, and items of beautification. Caution should be taken not to waste excessive time or wealth in this activity, as some women exaggerate in washing, sun-drying, and adorning their hair to the extent that a large portion of their day and night is spent on it.Also, women should not apply scented oils and then go outside. The use of fragrance must remain within the home.
A woman may comb her hair at any time of the day or night, even in the state of menstruation, postnatal bleeding, or major ritual impurity (janābah). However, during the days of sacrifice (ʿĪd al-Aḍḥā), if she intends to offer a sacrifice, she should comb gently. While there is no direct prohibition on combing during iḥrām, since cutting or breaking hair is forbidden in that state, one should avoid combing if hair is likely to fall. During ʿiddah, adorning oneself is not allowed; therefore, she should not comb her hair or use any beautification products.
◈ Method of Parting Hair for Women
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ had a part in the middle of his head. Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها said:كنتُ إذا أردتُ أن أَفرُقَ رأسَ رسولِ اللَّهِ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ ، صدَعتُ الفرقَ من يافوخِهِ وأرسلُ ناصيتَهُ بينَ عَينيهِ
[Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 4189]
Translation: "Whenever I intended to part the hair of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, I would do so from the center of his head, and his forelock would hang between his eyes."
Both men and women are equal in this regard and should follow this Sunnah of parting from the middle. Slanting the part to the right or left imitates the ways of disbelievers and contradicts the Sunnah, and hence, is discouraged. However, simply pushing the hair to one side without parting is permissible. There is also no harm in letting the hair hang over the shoulders or back, whether braided or unbraided. It is also permissible to tie a ribbon over the gathered hair at the back while letting the ends fall behind.
◈ Braiding Hair and Its Impact on Wuḍūʾ and Ghusl
There is no harm in women braiding their hair. Women used to do so during the time of the Prophet ﷺ. Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها reported: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
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 330]
Translation: "I asked: O Messenger of Allah, I am a woman who ties her hair tightly in braids. Should I undo them for the ghusl of janābah?" He replied: “No. It is sufficient for you to pour three handfuls of water on your head and then pour water over your body. Thus, you will be purified."
From this hadith, it is clear that braiding hair is permissible. A woman may also pray while her hair is braided. There is no need to undo the braids for wuḍūʾ—she may simply wipe over them. Likewise, there is no need to undo the braids for ghusl from janābah, as pouring water three times on the head suffices.
As for ghusl after menstruation or postnatal bleeding, scholars differ—some consider undoing the braids obligatory, relying on the hadith where the Prophet ﷺ told ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها:
انقُضي شَعرَك واغتسِلي
[Ṣaḥīḥ Ibn Mājah: 530]
Translation: "Undo your hair and perform ghusl."
Others say that this command was specific to Ḥajj. Based on the evidence, the stronger opinion is that it is not obligatory to undo braids for any ghusl (janābah, menstruation, or nifās), as long as water reaches the roots of the hair.
A relevant ruling: When performing the ghusl for a deceased woman, her hair should be divided into three braids and placed behind her. This is based on the hadith of Umm ʿAṭiyyah رضي الله عنها:فَضَفَرْنَا شَعَرَهَا ثَلَاثَةَ قُرُونٍ وَأَلْقَيْنَاهَا خَلْفَهَا
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 1276]
Translation: "We braided her hair into three plaits and placed them behind her."
◈ Wiping the Head in Wuḍūʾ
There is no difference between men and women in the method of wiping the head. Allah ﷻ says:وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ
Translation: "Wipe your heads."
This includes both men and women. The Sunnah is to pass the wet hands from the front to the back of the head and return them to the front, and to wipe the inner parts of the ears with the index fingers and the outer parts with the thumbs.
A woman does not need to uncover her hair to perform the masḥ. She can wipe over her hair even while it's covered with her scarf, as long as there are no non-maḥram men nearby.
In cases of hardship—due to cold or tight wrapping—she may wipe over her headscarf. Similarly, if her hair is covered in henna paste, she may wipe over it.
◈ Making Hair Buns and Praying While Wearing Them
In Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (2128), among the attributes of women of Hell, it is stated:رُؤُوسُهُنَّ كَأَسْنِمَةِ البُخْتِ المائِلَةِ
Translation: “Their heads will be like the humps of camels tilted to one side.”
The scholars have explained various meanings. One of them, attributed by Imām Nawawī to Qāḍī ʿIyāḍ, is gathering the hair and tying it high on the head in a manner resembling the hump of a camel. Therefore, it is impermissible for a Muslim woman to tie her hair in such a bun.
If a woman, unaware of the ruling, prayed in such a hairstyle—provided her hair was covered—her prayer is valid and need not be repeated. However, this hairstyle is not appropriate either inside or outside of prayer and should be avoided altogether.
◈ Uncovering Hair in Front of Maḥram Relatives
Just as a woman may uncover her face before her maḥārim (unmarriageable male relatives), she may also uncover her hair. Allah ﷻ says:وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ ... أَوْ إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي إِخْوَانِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِي أَخَوَاتِهِنَّ
[An-Nūr: 31]
Translation: “And they should not reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husbands’ fathers, or their sons, or their husbands’ sons, or their brothers, or their brothers’ sons, or their sisters’ sons…”
Based on this verse, a woman may reveal her hands, feet, head, hair, and neck before her maḥārim. Hence, there is no harm in appearing before them with an uncovered head or hair.
As for non-Muslim women, scholars have differed. Shaykh Ibn ʿUthaymīn رحمه الله favored the view that if there is no fear of fitnah, then there is no difference between Muslim and non-Muslim women. But if there is risk—such as the non-Muslim woman describing her to unrelated men—then one must avoid exposure even before them.
◈ Praying with Uncovered Head or Wearing a Thin Scarf
Prayer is the most important act of worship, performed in the presence of the Lord, and full ḥijāb is required in it.ʿAbdullāh ibn ʿUmar رضي الله عنه said:
قال ابنُ عمرَ إذا صلت المرأةُ فلتصلِّ في ثيابِها كلِّها : الدرعِ والخمارِ والملحفةِ
[Tamām al-Minnah: 162]
Translation: "When a woman prays, she should pray in her complete attire: a shirt (dress), a headscarf, and an outer garment."
The Prophet ﷺ said:
لا يقبَلُ اللَّهُ صَلاةَ حائضٍ إلَّا بخِمارٍ
[Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 641]
Translation: “Allah does not accept the prayer of a menstruating (i.e., adult) woman without a headcover.”
Thus, a woman must properly cover her head with a thick scarf in prayer. It is impermissible to wear thin clothing that reveals the shape or color of the body. This includes avoiding dresses that reveal arms, feet, or any part of the body.
Even elderly or sick women must cover their heads in prayer. Only if a woman is so ill or weak that it is impossible to observe proper ḥijāb, and no one can assist her, then she should cover herself as much as possible, as Allah does not burden a soul beyond its capacity.
◈ Ruling on Shaving or Cutting Women’s Hair
It is obligatory for Muslim women to maintain their natural hair, and shaving the head without necessity is ḥarām. Likewise, cutting hair without valid reason is not permissible—even if the husband commands it.During the time of the Prophet ﷺ, women had long hair. Women who had short hair would use hair extensions (waṣl), and the Prophet ﷺ cursed such practices:
لعنَ النَّبيُّ صلَّى اللَّهُ علَيهِ وسلَّمَ الواصلةَ والمستَوصلةَ ،والواشمةَ والمستَوشمةَ
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5940]
Translation: "The Prophet ﷺ cursed the one who adds artificial hair and the one who requests it, as well as those who tattoo and those who request tattooing."
Hence, cutting hair without need contradicts the Sunnah.
However, in Ḥajj and ʿUmrah, it is prescribed to cut a fingertip-length of hair. If a woman needs to cut her hair due to illness, that is permissible.
Sayyidah ʿĀʾishah رضي الله عنها said:
وكان أزواجُ النبيِّ -صلى الله عليه وسلم- يَأخذْنَ مِن رؤوسِهنَّ حتى تكونَ كالوَفْرَةِ
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 320]
Translation: “The wives of the Prophet ﷺ used to cut their hair until it reached the earlobes.”
Some scholars permitted cutting based on this hadith, but this practice was specific to the Prophet's wives, who refrained from adornment after his death. If a woman wishes to cut her hair out of need, it is allowed—but not for fashion, imitation of disbelievers, or resembling men.
It is common to see young unmarried girls cut the front part of their hair to create bangs. While not necessarily sinful if it doesn't resemble immoral women, it may lead to fitnah, especially when such girls do not observe ḥijāb. Guardians should prevent this unless the purpose is adornment for one’s husband after marriage.
◈ Shaving a Newborn Girl’s Head
Scholars differ on whether a newborn girl’s head should be shaved on the seventh day like a boy’s. Some Ḥanbalīs prohibit it, while Imām Mālik and Imām al-Shāfiʿī allow it. The disagreement arises from the absence of explicit mention for girls in the ḥadīths.The stronger opinion—based on general texts—is that shaving a newborn girl’s head on the seventh day, naming her, performing ʿAqīqah, and giving the weight of the hair in silver is sunnah.
A detailed article on this is available under the title: “Shaving the Hair of a Newborn Girl on the Seventh Day.”
◈ Prohibition of Plucking White Hair & Dyeing It
Firstly, plucking white hair is prohibited for both men and women. The Prophet ﷺ said:لا تنتِفوا الشَّيبَ ... إلَّا كتبَ اللَّهُ لَهُ بِها حسنةً وحطَّ عنهُ بِها خطيئةً
[Ṣaḥīḥ Abī Dāwūd: 4202]
Translation: “Do not pluck white hair. For every white hair a Muslim gets in Islam, Allah will record a good deed, erase a sin, and elevate him in rank.”
Secondly, it is sunnah for both men and women to dye white hair using any color except black. The Prophet ﷺ said:
غيِّروا هذا بشيءٍ ، واجتَنِبوا السَّوادَ
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim: 2102]
Translation: “Change this (white hair) with something but avoid black.”
And in Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī:
إن اليهودَ والنصارى لا يصبُغون ، فخالفوهم
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 3462]
Translation: “The Jews and Christians do not dye their hair, so oppose them.”
Hence, women may use henna, saffron, or other colors, but not pure black. Mixing black with another color to create a distinct shade is permissible.
Some women ask if past prayers offered while wearing black dye are valid. The answer: the dye is a separate act, and prayer is a separate act. Those prayers are valid, but the woman must repent sincerely for the sinful act of using black dye.
◈ Straightening or Curling Hair
Some women have naturally curly hair and may wish to straighten it out of need—this is permissible. Similarly, if a woman has naturally straight hair and wishes to curl it as an adornment for her husband, that is also allowed.However, doing so for fashion, public attraction, or imitating immoral women or non-Muslims is impermissible.
◈ Attaching Artificial Hair, Wearing Wigs, and Hair Transplants
It is prohibited to attach artificial hair or wear wigs. The Prophet ﷺ said:لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الواصِلَةَ والمُسْتَوْصِلَةَ، والواشِمَةَ والمُسْتَوْشِمَةَ
[Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī: 5937]
Translation: “Allah curses the one who joins (fake) hair and the one who gets it joined, the one who tattoos and the one who gets tattooed.”
Based on this, it is not allowed to attach synthetic hair or wear wigs out of mere desire or fashion.
However, if a woman loses her hair due to illness or an accident, she may:
✔ Undergo hair transplantation
✔ Wear a wig to cover her defect
Such use is permitted only to conceal a defect, not for beautification or imitation.
According to Shaykh Muḥammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-Munajjid, if a woman wears a wig out of necessity, she must remove it during wuḍūʾ—as wiping over it is not valid.
◈ Burying Fallen or Cut Hair
Some women ask whether fallen or cut hair should be buried to avoid it being misused.While there is no direct textual evidence on burying hair, many scholars deem it recommended (mustaḥabb). Given the widespread fear of magic or sorcery, it is wise to dispose of hair in a secure place.
Hair may also be buried to prevent non-maḥram men from viewing it. Often, women fall into superstition and associate every issue with jinn or black magic. Such women should be advised to:
✦ Offer regular prayers
✦ Abundantly recite istighfār
✦ Maintain purity and remembrances (adhkār)
With the help of Allah, no jinn or magician can harm them.
◈ Bridal Hair Decoration
Hair beautification for brides is permissible, but with conditions:✘ It must not be done by or in front of non-maḥram men.
✔ It may be done by another woman at home or in a women's salon.
One must avoid extravagance and imitation of immoral or disbelieving women. Hair decoration is allowed for weddings, provided prohibited elements—like artificial hair, exposure, or forbidden imitation—are avoided.
◈ Working in a Beauty Parlor – Islamic Ruling
It is very difficult to avoid impermissible activities in beauty parlors such as:✘ Shaping eyebrows
✘ Cutting or shaving hair without need
✘ Attaching artificial hair
✘ Exposing private parts unnecessarily
✘ Beautifying women for music events or for non-maḥram men
✘ Mixing with men
✘ Traveling alone for work
If a woman can completely avoid all prohibited acts and operate within Sharʿī boundaries, then working in a beauty parlor is permissible.
Otherwise, the job is not allowed.
In brief:
✔ The profession of adornment is permissible in itself.
✘ But if it involves ḥarām acts, the income becomes impermissible.
◈ Misconceptions About Women's Hair
Several baseless cultural beliefs exist regarding women’s hair. These should be rejected:✘ Long hair will become a veil on the Day of Judgment.
✘ One must cover the head at the time of adhān.
✘ Using a broken comb causes poverty.
✘ Tying hair while standing causes poverty.
✘ Applying henna during fasting breaks the fast.
These are all fabrications with no basis in Islam.
Conclusion
This comprehensive article presents the Islamic rulings concerning women’s hair, covering:- Hair care, grooming, and modesty
- Hair styling in line with Sunnah
- Prohibited hairstyles and beautification methods
- Issues related to prayer, ghusl, and wuḍūʾ
- Rules of dyeing, shaving, and trimming
- Clarification of myths and superstitions
