❀ Ruling on the Hadiths Regarding the Prophet’s ﷺ Practice of Dyeing or Not Dyeing the Hair ❀
Taken from: “Ahkam wa Masail – In Light of Qur’an and Hadith”, Volume 01, Page 524
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed:
“Dye white hair, but do not use black dye.”
Yet many people, particularly scholars, act contrary to this by not dyeing the hair or beard at all.
Is there any Hadith that supports not dyeing the hair?
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Yes, both types of narrations are found in Hadith literature:
① The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have dyed his hair.
② There are also narrations mentioning that he did not dye his hair.
From this, it is understood that the command to dye white hair falls under:
“Amr al-Nadb” — i.e., it is recommended (mustahabb) and not obligatory (wājib).
When all the hair has turned white, and not a single black hair remains, then dyeing the hair is more strongly encouraged.
A clear example is found in the Hadith regarding Abū Quḥāfah (رضي الله عنه), the father of Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (رضي الله عنه):
“Change this (white hair), but avoid black.”
— (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Libās, Bāb: The Recommendation to Dye Grey Hair with Yellow or Red and Prohibition of Using Black Dye)
This shows that dyeing is recommended particularly when the hair is completely white.
هَذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I have, and Allah knows best what is correct.
Taken from: “Ahkam wa Masail – In Light of Qur’an and Hadith”, Volume 01, Page 524
❖ Question
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ instructed:
“Dye white hair, but do not use black dye.”
Yet many people, particularly scholars, act contrary to this by not dyeing the hair or beard at all.
Is there any Hadith that supports not dyeing the hair?
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Yes, both types of narrations are found in Hadith literature:
① The Prophet ﷺ is reported to have dyed his hair.
② There are also narrations mentioning that he did not dye his hair.
From this, it is understood that the command to dye white hair falls under:
“Amr al-Nadb” — i.e., it is recommended (mustahabb) and not obligatory (wājib).
❖ Greater Emphasis When Hair Is Fully White
When all the hair has turned white, and not a single black hair remains, then dyeing the hair is more strongly encouraged.
A clear example is found in the Hadith regarding Abū Quḥāfah (رضي الله عنه), the father of Abū Bakr al-Ṣiddīq (رضي الله عنه):
“Change this (white hair), but avoid black.”
— (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim, Kitāb al-Libās, Bāb: The Recommendation to Dye Grey Hair with Yellow or Red and Prohibition of Using Black Dye)
This shows that dyeing is recommended particularly when the hair is completely white.
هَذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I have, and Allah knows best what is correct.
