Question:-
Is it permissible for a Muslim female to do a hair dressing course?
Answer:-
It is as clear as daylight that a female undertakes a hair dressing course in order to trim and cut the hair of other females, whereas the Shariah has prohibited females from trimming or cutting their hair. Yes, it is a different matter altogether, if a female has split ends and therefore trims her hair with the sole intention of enhancing growth, then the Shariah has afforded her some level of concession to do so.
Under normal circumstances a woman is totally prohibited from trimming her hair. It is recorded in a narration of Tabrani,
عن عبد الله بن عمرو قال: «نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم عن الجمة للحرة — (المعجم الصغير للطبراني ص133 ج1)
Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam prohibited a free woman from growing her hair until her shoulders (and trimming whatever is beyond that.)
The hair grown by men is either categorized as ‘Wafra’, ‘Limma’ or ‘Jumma.’ ‘Wafra’ is where the hair of a person extends until the earlobes, whilst ‘Limma’ is where the hair reaches between the ears and shoulders and ‘Jumma’ is where the hair reaches the shoulder. This is the maximum length that a man is permitted to grow his hair. However, this is the starting point for a female to start growing her hair.
It is mentioned in a narration of Bukhari Sharif,
عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ «لَعَنَ الْمُتَشَبِّهِينَ مِنَ الرِّجَالِ بِالنِّسَاءِ، وَالْمُتَشَبِّهَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ بِالرِّجَالِ (صحيح البخاري رقم 5885)
Ibn Abbas Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam cursed those men that imitate women, and those women that imitate and resemble men.
When a woman trims and shortens her hair then she is ultimately imitating men, thus becoming worthy of the curse of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam.
Allama Alaa Ud Deen Haskafi Rahimahullah states in his famous Durr-e-Mukhtaar that, a female that trims and shortens her hair is sinful and cursed, even though it may be done with the consent of her spouse, as the Hadith states that there is no obedience to the creation at the expense of disobeying the creator. The actual reasoning behind the prohibition is that a female will be resembling and imitating men.
وفيه: قطعت شعر رأسها أثمت ولعنت زاد في البزازية وإن بإذن الزوج لأنه لا طاعة لمخلوق في معصية الخالق، ولذا يحرم على الرجل قطع لحيته، والمعنى المؤثر التشبه بالرجال اه (الدر المختار مع رد المحتار ص407 ج6)
Al Ashbah Wan Nazaa’ir states, “It is not permissible for a woman to trim her hair even though it may be with the permission of her husband.”
لا يجوز للمرأة قطع شعرها ولو بإذن الزوج، ولا يحل لها وصل شعر غيرها بشعرها (الاشباه والنظائر ص148 ج1- المكتبة الشاملة)
Similarly, Imaam Naatifi Rahimahullah has stated in ‘Jumalul Ahkaam’ that a woman that trims and cuts her hair will be sinful and enter under the curse (of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam). It is obligatory upon her to seek forgiveness and repent to Allah Ta’ala.
المراة اذا قطعت شعرها اثمت ودخلت تحت اللعنة ةعلها ان تستغفر الله وتتوب (جمل الاحكام ص165 ج1)
Allama Shaami Rahimahullah has written that it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to expose herself (which includes her hair) before a Jewish, Christian or Mushrikah (polytheist) woman. Similarly, it is not permissible for a righteous woman to allow another Muslim woman that transgresses the laws of Shariah to see her, hence she shouldn’t remove her Jilbaab or scarf before her, thereby allowing her to see her hair, etc. Women that leave the confines of their homes without adopting the proper Shari’ee code of dress in order to attain an additional income and be self sufficient (and live a lavish lifestyle), are categorized as transgressors as they are flagrantly disregarding the laws of the Shariah.
لا يحل للمسلمة أن تنكشف بين يدي يهودية أو نصرانية أو مشركة إلا أن تكون أمة لها كما في السراج، ونصاب الاحتساب ولا تنبغي للمرأة الصالحة أن تنظر إليها المرأة الفاجرة لأنها تصفها عند الرجال، فلا تضع جلبابها ولا خمارها كما في السراج اهـ (شامي ص371 ج6)
From the Ahadith and quotations of the Fuqaha quoted above, it is evident that a woman is not permitted to trim or cut her hair, and if she cuts her hair, then she will be sinful and be eligible of the curse of Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Yes, if the hair extends beyond the posterior, then one is permitted to trim the portion that is beyond the posterior.
Now, if a female studies to be a hairdresser, she will be trimming and cutting the hair of other females which is prohibited. This, in essence, means that she will be assisting in the disobedience of Allah Ta’ala, whereas the Quraan Sharif states, “And do not assist in acts of sin and transgression.” [Re:- Surah Maa’idah Verse 2]
The Ulama have written that it is not permissible for a barber to cut the hair and trim the beards of his clients against the teachings of Shariah, and if he does so, then his income will not be permitted. It is necessary for him to repent for carrying out such actions. Hadrat Maulana Yusuf Ludhyanwi Rahimahullah states in ‘Aap ke Masaa’il Aur Unka Hal’ that the income derived from a Haraam occupation is also Haraam.
حرام کام کی اجرت بھی حرام ہے (ٓاپ کے مسائل اور ان کا حل ص۴۰ ج۶)
Based on the above, it won’t be permissible for a Muslim woman to be a hairdresser. Also, in order the study the hairdressing course, a female is required to leave the confines of her home and attend some institute where the course is being taught, and thereafter work in some salon (which again necessitates leaving her home). This is in total conflict with the teachings of the Quraan Sharif as women are instructed (in the Quraan Sharif) to remain within the confines of their homes and not emerge unnecessarily. If her concern is her sustenance, then the Shariah has taken care of her needs in full. If she is unmarried, then it is the duty of the father to provide for her and maintain her, and if she is married then the responsibility of providing for her, is upon her husband.
Besides cutting hair, many hairdressers streak the hair of females with loud colours (keeping with the trend), whilst others even use black colour dyes to dye the hair of their clients, which is totally impermissible. Some even offer waxing where the Satr (private parts of the females) are exposed, and this too, is impermissible. Many of the dyes found in the market place nowadays are not permeable and are used in many salons. If water doesn’t penetrate the dye, one’s Wudhu and Ghusl is invalid. These are just some of the wrong practices that we are aware of. We are sure that there are other innumerable wrong practices which we are unaware of. In conclusion, it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to study to be a hairdresser, or work as a hairdresser, neither is the income of a female hairdresser permissible due to the above wrongdoings.
AND ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 06 Rajab 1443 / 09 February 2022
