Source: Fatawa of the Scholars of Hadith, Kitab al-Salah, Volume 1
Some Ahadith encourage dyeing the hair, while others prohibit it.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"غَيِّرُوا الشَّيْبَ وَلَا تَشَبَّهُوا بِالْيَهُودِ."
(Jami' al-Tirmidhi, Book of Clothing)
"Change the whiteness of old age and do not imitate the Jews."
Similar narrations are found in Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, and al-Nasa’i.
Scholars have interpreted these Ahadith in light of differing circumstances.
the narrations encouraging the changing of white hair apply to those whose entire hair has turned white,
whereas the prohibitions relate to those with only a few white hairs.
These Ahadith do not indicate obligation, but rather encouragement and preferred practice.
▪ In some cases, the Prophet ﷺ used hair dye.
▪ In other instances, it is mentioned that he did not.
According to scholars, the Prophet ﷺ generally did not use dye,
but did so occasionally.
✔ Henna
✔ Saffron
✔ Wars (a yellow plant)
✔ Katm (a reddish-black plant)
The use of such dyes is proven from several Companions, including:
Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA), Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), and others.
◄ Shafi'i scholars consider the use of black dye prohibited in general situations.
◄ Maliki, Hanbali, and Hanafi scholars consider it disliked (makruh) but not absolutely haram.
◄ Qadi Abu Yusuf (رحمه الله) permitted its use, and scholars like Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) considered it permissible in certain cases.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"غَيِّرُوا هَذَا بِشَيْءٍ وَاجْتَنِبُوا السَّوَادَ"
(Sahih Muslim)
"Change this whiteness with something, but avoid black."
Some scholars interpret this as a prohibition (haram), while others see it as disliked (makruh), especially in the context of elderly appearance.
▪ Uthman ibn Affan (RA)
▪ Mughira ibn Shu'bah (RA)
▪ Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (RA)
▪ Hasan (RA) and Husayn (RA)
Some Tabi'un like Ibn Sirin and Muhammad ibn Ishaq also used it.
However, they generally used black dye in youth and abandoned it in old age.
✔ There is a scholarly disagreement on black dye.
It is better to avoid in general, but some scholars consider it permissible in specific situations, such as war or fear.
Thus, wudu and ghusl remain valid for someone using such dye.
One should choose colors with moderation, considering the Ahadith and opinions of scholars,
especially regarding black dye, in order to avoid areas of religious contention.
❖ Question:
What is the ruling on applying hair dye, particularly black dye?❖ General Ruling on Hair Dye:
There are multiple narrations regarding dyeing white hair.Some Ahadith encourage dyeing the hair, while others prohibit it.
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
"غَيِّرُوا الشَّيْبَ وَلَا تَشَبَّهُوا بِالْيَهُودِ."
(Jami' al-Tirmidhi, Book of Clothing)
"Change the whiteness of old age and do not imitate the Jews."
Similar narrations are found in Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, and al-Nasa’i.
Scholars have interpreted these Ahadith in light of differing circumstances.
❖ Reconciliation of Ahadith:
◉ According to Imam Tabari (رحمه الله),the narrations encouraging the changing of white hair apply to those whose entire hair has turned white,
whereas the prohibitions relate to those with only a few white hairs.
These Ahadith do not indicate obligation, but rather encouragement and preferred practice.
❖ The Practice of the Messenger ﷺ:
From various narrations, it is evident that:▪ In some cases, the Prophet ﷺ used hair dye.
▪ In other instances, it is mentioned that he did not.
According to scholars, the Prophet ﷺ generally did not use dye,
but did so occasionally.
❖ Materials Used for Dyeing:
During the early Islamic period, the following were used as dyes:✔ Henna
✔ Saffron
✔ Wars (a yellow plant)
✔ Katm (a reddish-black plant)
The use of such dyes is proven from several Companions, including:
Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), Abu Bakr as-Siddiq (RA), Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), and others.
❖ Ruling on Black Dye:
There is a difference of opinion among the jurists regarding black dye:◄ Shafi'i scholars consider the use of black dye prohibited in general situations.
◄ Maliki, Hanbali, and Hanafi scholars consider it disliked (makruh) but not absolutely haram.
◄ Qadi Abu Yusuf (رحمه الله) permitted its use, and scholars like Ibn Hajar (رحمه الله) considered it permissible in certain cases.
❖ Incident of Abu Bakr’s Father:
During the conquest of Makkah, the father of Abu Bakr (RA), Abu Quhafa (RA), was brought before the Prophet ﷺ with completely white hair.The Prophet ﷺ said:
"غَيِّرُوا هَذَا بِشَيْءٍ وَاجْتَنِبُوا السَّوَادَ"
(Sahih Muslim)
"Change this whiteness with something, but avoid black."
Some scholars interpret this as a prohibition (haram), while others see it as disliked (makruh), especially in the context of elderly appearance.
❖ Practice of Companions and Tabi'un:
The use of black dye has been documented among some Companions, such as:▪ Uthman ibn Affan (RA)
▪ Mughira ibn Shu'bah (RA)
▪ Sa'd ibn Abi Waqqas (RA)
▪ Hasan (RA) and Husayn (RA)
Some Tabi'un like Ibn Sirin and Muhammad ibn Ishaq also used it.
However, they generally used black dye in youth and abandoned it in old age.
❖ Summary of the Ruling:
✔ Dyeing white hair is recommended, especially with henna and yellow dye.✔ There is a scholarly disagreement on black dye.
It is better to avoid in general, but some scholars consider it permissible in specific situations, such as war or fear.
❖ Wudu and Purity Concerns:
If the dye material is washed away, and only color remains, it does not obstruct purification.Thus, wudu and ghusl remain valid for someone using such dye.
❖ Conclusion:
Following the Sunnah in the matter of hair dye is preferable.One should choose colors with moderation, considering the Ahadith and opinions of scholars,
especially regarding black dye, in order to avoid areas of religious contention.
