Written by: Hafiz Nadeem Zaheer
The Islamic Ruling on Black Dye
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon His trustworthy Messenger. To proceed:
There is no dispute regarding the unanimous understanding of the pious predecessors (Salaf), for the authentic interpretation of the Qur'an and Sunnah is that which has been conveyed through the understanding of the Sahabah, Tabi'un, and Imams of the religion. However, if a difference arises among the Salaf, the following points must be considered:
➊ Preference shall be given to the stance of those predecessors whose sayings and actions are closer to the interpretation and explanation of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Allah Almighty says:
(فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُم تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَ اَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا)
"And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result."
(An-Nisa 4:59)
➋ If an action or statement of a Salaf contradicts clear and explicit evidence, it shall be attributed to their lack of knowledge — because it is not necessary that every individual knew every ruling.
➌ The understanding of the majority of the Salaf will be given precedence over the understanding of a few.
➍ In the case of two varying opinions among the Salaf, the one closer to the Qur'an and Sunnah should be preferred without rejecting or belittling the other.
➎ Rare or isolated statements of the Salaf that contradict clear evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah are not acceptable.
Narrated by Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنه):
On the day of the conquest of Makkah, Sayyiduna Abu Quhafah (رضي الله عنه) was brought to the Prophet ﷺ, and his hair and beard were extremely white like Thaghamah (a white flower). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Change this whiteness, but avoid black color."
(Sahih Muslim 2102/78)
➤ Thus, prominent hadith scholars understood this hadith as evidence against using black dye.
Refutation of Objections:
Evidence ②:
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"In the last times, there will be people who will dye (their hair) black like the crops of pigeons. They will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."
(Sunan Abu Dawood 4212, Sunan An-Nasa’i 5078, Sahih chain)
"This (black dye) is a newly introduced practice. I saw a group of the companions of the Messenger ﷺ and none of them used black dye."
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 8/438, Authentic chain)
❀ Imam Saeed bin Jubair said:
"Allah grants a person light in his face, but he extinguishes it by using black dye."
❀ Imam Mujahid said:
"Those who use black dye in the last days will have no share in the Hereafter."
❀ Imam Mak’hool labeled black dye as Makruh (disliked).
"The best substances you can use to change grey hair are henna and katam."
(Sunan Abu Dawood 4205, Sunan Tirmidhi 1753, Sunan Nasa’i 5081, Authentic chain)
Final Request:
Dear readers!
After presenting authentic hadiths and the understanding of the pious predecessors, it is evident that the use of black dye is prohibited. Therefore, avoiding it is necessary.
Those who attempt to water down the prohibition by labeling it merely "disliked" or "permissible" are mistaken. The correct path is to follow the clear evidences and the firm stance of the Salaf.
وما علينا إلا البلاغ
The Islamic Ruling on Black Dye
All praise is due to Allah, Lord of all the worlds, and may peace and blessings be upon His trustworthy Messenger. To proceed:
There is no dispute regarding the unanimous understanding of the pious predecessors (Salaf), for the authentic interpretation of the Qur'an and Sunnah is that which has been conveyed through the understanding of the Sahabah, Tabi'un, and Imams of the religion. However, if a difference arises among the Salaf, the following points must be considered:
➊ Preference shall be given to the stance of those predecessors whose sayings and actions are closer to the interpretation and explanation of the Qur'an and Sunnah.
Allah Almighty says:
(فَإِنْ تَنَازَعْتُمْ فِي شَيْءٍ فَرُدُّوهُ إِلَى اللهِ وَالرَّسُولِ إِنْ كُنْتُم تُؤْمِنُونَ بِاللهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ذَلِكَ خَيْرٌ وَ اَحْسَنُ تَأْوِيلًا)
"And if you disagree over anything, refer it to Allah and the Messenger, if you should believe in Allah and the Last Day. That is the best [way] and best in result."
(An-Nisa 4:59)
➋ If an action or statement of a Salaf contradicts clear and explicit evidence, it shall be attributed to their lack of knowledge — because it is not necessary that every individual knew every ruling.
➌ The understanding of the majority of the Salaf will be given precedence over the understanding of a few.
➍ In the case of two varying opinions among the Salaf, the one closer to the Qur'an and Sunnah should be preferred without rejecting or belittling the other.
➎ Rare or isolated statements of the Salaf that contradict clear evidence from the Qur'an and Sunnah are not acceptable.
✿ Evidences for the Prohibition of Black Dye
Evidence ①:Narrated by Sayyiduna Jabir bin Abdullah (رضي الله عنه):
On the day of the conquest of Makkah, Sayyiduna Abu Quhafah (رضي الله عنه) was brought to the Prophet ﷺ, and his hair and beard were extremely white like Thaghamah (a white flower). The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"Change this whiteness, but avoid black color."
(Sahih Muslim 2102/78)
- Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) titled this hadith:
“Chapter: Recommendation to Dye White Hair with Yellow or Red and the Prohibition of Black Dye.” - Imam An-Nasa’i titled it:
“Prohibition from Dyeing with Black.” - Imam Abu Awanah, Imam Ibn Hibban, and Imam Khateeb Baghdadi also interpreted it as a prohibition.
➤ Thus, prominent hadith scholars understood this hadith as evidence against using black dye.
Refutation of Objections:
- Claims that black dye is not forbidden based on some practices of the Salaf are invalid because clear texts and established interpretations prohibit black dyeing.
Evidence ②:
Narrated by Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Abbas (رضي الله عنه):
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"In the last times, there will be people who will dye (their hair) black like the crops of pigeons. They will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise."
(Sunan Abu Dawood 4212, Sunan An-Nasa’i 5078, Sahih chain)
- Imam Ibn Sa'd, Imam An-Nasa’i, Imam Mujahid, and other prominent scholars understood from this hadith a clear prohibition against black dye.
✿ Statements of the Salaf Regarding Black Dye
❀ Imam Ata bin Abi Rabah said:"This (black dye) is a newly introduced practice. I saw a group of the companions of the Messenger ﷺ and none of them used black dye."
(Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaybah 8/438, Authentic chain)
❀ Imam Saeed bin Jubair said:
"Allah grants a person light in his face, but he extinguishes it by using black dye."
❀ Imam Mujahid said:
"Those who use black dye in the last days will have no share in the Hereafter."
❀ Imam Mak’hool labeled black dye as Makruh (disliked).
✿ Actions of the Imams
- Imam Malik (رحمه الله) preferred red and yellow dyes over black.
- Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal regarded black dye as Makruh.
- Imam Shafi’i was known to use henna mixed with katam (a plant) for dyeing — not black dye.
✿ Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and the Best Dye
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:"The best substances you can use to change grey hair are henna and katam."
(Sunan Abu Dawood 4205, Sunan Tirmidhi 1753, Sunan Nasa’i 5081, Authentic chain)
- The Prophet ﷺ’s own hair was dyed using henna.
- Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar (رضي الله عنهما) also used henna and katam for dyeing.
Final Request:
Dear readers!
After presenting authentic hadiths and the understanding of the pious predecessors, it is evident that the use of black dye is prohibited. Therefore, avoiding it is necessary.
Those who attempt to water down the prohibition by labeling it merely "disliked" or "permissible" are mistaken. The correct path is to follow the clear evidences and the firm stance of the Salaf.
وما علينا إلا البلاغ
