◈ Islamic Teachings and External Adornment
Islam emphasizes that every action must conform to the principles of Shari’ah. This is particularly important for acts related to external beauty and adornment, where the guidance of Islamic teachings must be prioritized. Among such issues is the matter of women attaching artificial hair or wigs, which Islam has clearly prohibited. This article will detail the viewpoint of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله on this matter, grounded in authentic Ahadith.
◈ The Incident of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله
Imam Abu Bakr al-Marwadhi (175 AH) narrates an incident in which he visited Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله (241 AH) and saw a woman styling the hair of his daughter. He asked the woman:
“Have you attached qaramil (artificial hair used to enhance volume) to her hair?”
The woman replied:
“The girl did not allow me. She said, ‘My father has forbidden me, and he would be displeased if I did.’”
(Al-Waraʿ by Al-Marwadhi: 597)
This incident is a clear reflection of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s piety and caution, as he forbade his daughter from using artificial hair, considering it contrary to Islamic teachings.
◈ Prohibition of Artificial Hair in Authentic Ahadith
The Prophet ﷺ explicitly cursed women who attach or have others attach artificial hair to their natural hair. The following Ahadith shed light on this issue:
❖ Curse Upon Those Who Attach and Have Attached Artificial Hair
From Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar, and Sayyidah Aisha رضي الله عنهم:
«لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الوَاصِلَةَ وَالمُسْتَوْصِلَةَ»
“Allah has cursed the one who attaches (artificial hair) and the one who gets it attached.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 5933, 5937, 5934)
From Sayyidah Asma bint Abi Bakr, Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar, and Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Mas’ud رضي الله عنهم:
«لَعَنَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ الوَاصِلَةَ وَالمُسْتَوْصِلَةَ»
“The Prophet ﷺ cursed the one who attaches and the one who gets it attached.”
(Sahih al-Bukhari: 5936, 5947, 4887; Sunan al-Nasa’i: 3416)
From Sayyiduna Jabir رضي الله عنه:
«زَجَرَ النَّبِيُّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنْ تَصِلَ الْمَرْأَةُ بِرَأْسِهَا شَيْئًا»
“The Prophet ﷺ sternly forbade that a woman add anything to her head (like a wig or artificial hair).”
(Sahih Muslim: 2126)
◈ Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal’s Fatwa on Income from Artificial Hair Styling
Imam Abu Bakr al-Marwadhi رحمه الله also narrates another incident. A woman who used to attach artificial hair to women’s heads came to Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله and asked:
“I style women’s hair by adding artificial extensions. Would it be permissible for me to perform Hajj with this earning?”
Imam Ahmad رحمه الله replied:
“No. Hajj should be performed with income that is purer than this.”
(Al-Waraʿ by Al-Marwadhi: 592)
◈ Summary
The incident of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal رحمه الله teaches us that every action must be examined in the light of Shari’ah. With the presence of clear Ahadith from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ prohibiting artificial hair, it is essential to avoid such practices. Engaging in such acts is not only sinful but can also taint one's income and acts of worship.
Therefore, we must strive to live our lives in accordance with Islamic principles and abstain from practices that have been clearly prohibited by Shari’ah.
