QUESTION:
I would like to find out regarding the restrictions of females cutting their hair in our Shariah? Is it permissible for them to cut their hair, and what guidelines should Muslim females follow regarding hair and adornment?
ANSWER:
It is not permissible for women to cut her hair under normal circumstances in Islam.
عن قتادة عن خلاس بن عمرو عن علي قال : نهى رسول الله صلى الله عليه و سلم أن تحلق المرأة رأسها (سنن الترمذي# 915)
Ali Radiallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam prohibited that a woman trims her hair.
حَدَّثَنَا رَوْحُ بْنُ عَطَاءِ بْنِ أَبِي مَيْمُونَةَ ، قَالَ : حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي ، عَنْ وَهْبِ بْنِ عُمَيْرٍ ، قَالَ : سَمِعْتُ عُثْمَانَ ، يَقُولُ : نَهَى رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ تَحْلِقَ الْمَرْأَةُ رَأْسَهَا. (مسند بزار #447)
Wahab bin Umair reports, “ I heard Uthmaan Radiallahu Anhu saying that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam prohibited that a woman trims her hair.
The Fuqaha have also mentioned that it is not permissible for a woman to cut or trim her hair even though the husband may command her to do so.
قطعت شعر رأسها أثمت ولعنت. زاد في البزازية: وإن بإذن الزوج لا طاعة لمخلوق في معصية الخالق، ولذا يحرم على الرجل قطع لحيته، والمعنى المؤثر التشبه بالرجال ( الدر المختار شرح تنوير الأبصار وجامع البحار 1/664)
ولا يجوز للمراة قطع شعرها ولو باذن الزوج (الاشباخ والنظائر 2/14)
Yes, a female is permitted to cut her hair only if it extends beyond the posterior. The hair hanging below the posterior may be trimmed. We have reproduced a Fatwa below, issued by our Darul Ifta, regarding young girls cutting their hair. The Fatwa clearly indicates that it is not permissible for females to cut their hair. The same ruling will be applicable to a female intending to please her husband within the confines of her homes. When young girls are not permitted to trim their hair in Shariah, how can adult females then trim their hair?
It is natural that young girls will fuss when brushing and combing their hair. However, we as the parents shouldn’t become lax and trim their hair, as this will most certainly be an approval for them to cut their hair in the future. You should therefore not trim their hair without a valid reason particularly that they are now close to the age of Buloogh (which is estimated to be nine years of age).
Fataawa Bayyinaat states that it is not permissible to trim the hair of girls that are Baaligh or close to becoming Baaligh. Yes, if they are very small girls, then trimming their hair for a permissible objective (such as removing spilt ends and enhancing further growth) is permitted, but then too, it should not be in emulation of the sinners. [Re:- Fataawa Bayyinaat Pg. 406 Vol.4]
Mufti Wali Hassan Saheb Rahimahullah states that the objective of trimming the hair of young girls is to enhance growth. If the hair is cut in emulation of fashion, then it will not be permissible. [Re:- Fataawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya Pg. 345 Vol.7]
Mufti Abdur Rahim Saheb Laajpuri Rahimahullah has stated that to trim the hair of young girls following the fashion and trend of the time is not permitted.
Yes, if the hair is hanging below the posterior, then you may trim the hair that is hanging below the posterior, or if there is a need to trim the hair due to split ends then too there is concession to trim the hair, with the proviso that the intention of trimming is to enhance growth in the future. [Re:- Fataawa Rahimiyyah Pg.120 Vol.10]
In conclusion, under normal circumstances it is not permissible for females to trim their hair.
ALLAH TA’ALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Maulana Abdul Kader Fazlani
Date: 09 Dhul Qa’dah 1445 / 18 May 2024
CHECKED AND APPROVED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai Saheb
