Q.) I have read
the material on Women's hair length that
is on the site, but I have some further
questions on the same topic.
I've never come across a source that
clearly identifies guidelines for the
hair length of a female's hair.
All I've heard is fatwa chatter saying
women's hair should be shoulder length
to maintain the identity that she
actually is a female. Then on the other
hand you have men who grow their hair
long because its "sunnat". Wait a second
. . . doesn't that blur the line of
differentiation between a man and a
woman? Does he not look more like a
female?
Women who naturally have short hair,
what of them? Or those who have to keep
short hair for a particular reason even
if it is fashion?
The identity of a woman can be preserved
through many features and that's not
only the length of the hair.
Why is there a restriction on it but
never any clear cut guideline? Please
elaborate on this topic
A.) Firstly, we would like to clarify
that there is no Fatawa stating that
'women's hair should be shoulder length
to maintain the identity.'
The Fatwa is that a woman should let her
hair grow naturally long even way below
the shoulder line and is only allowed to
trim the bottom to even out the split
ends or to enhance the growth. This
trimming does not exceed more than a few
inches.
Hence, it is in no way permissible for a
woman to shorten her hair up to shoulder
length. A woman who has naturally short
hair is obviously exempted. As for men,
it has been established through the
Hadith of Rasulullah that he used to, at
times, have hair which reached up to his
shoulders. There is a clear distinction
between males and females. And Allah
Ta'ala Knows Best
Was-salaam
By Mufti
Ebrahim Desai
Update by
Mufti Taqi Usmani
Update: I have to
make it clear that I have never issued
any fatwa for the permissibility of the
hair cut prevalent among the modern
women which has a clear resemblance with
non-Muslims. The question frequently
asked here in my country was that some
women cut their hair from the lower side
in the belief that it will help in
speedy growth of their hair and will
make their hair longer in future.
Cutting of the hairs in this case does
not exceed a few inches. Similarly, some
women do this to equate the level of
their hairs from the lower side. I was
frequently asked about this type of
cutting. Since it does not have any
resemblance with men or non-muslim women
which was the basic cause of prohibition
according to Imdad-ul-Fatawa v.4, p.227,
and Imdad-ul-Ahkam v.4, p.354, I replied
that this type of cutting or trimming is
permissible.
As for my answer that is placed at the
website, I have to clarify some points:
1. It was a question received at email.
Since the question specifically
mentioned that it relates to that type
of hair cutting which has no resemblance
with men or non-muslim women, I presumed
that the person who has asked this
question knows and admits the
impermissibility of the prevalent
haircut which resembles with non-muslim
women, and the conditions mentioned in
the question ruled out this possibility.
Based on this presumption I replied in
affirmative subject to these conditions.
2. The answer was given through email
privately on the above presumption and
was not intended to be published, but
now when it has been published and was
misused in favor of that haircut which
has clear resemblance with non-muslims I
feel that I should have clarified it in
express terms.
Especially, after reading the question
once again, I noticed that there is a
sentence in the citation from Shaikh
Abdullah which might create
misunderstanding and which was perhaps
missed by me at that time otherwise I
would have clarified the issue at that
time.
3. Now, it should be clearly understood
that I have never issued a fatwa for the
permissibility of cutting the hairs of
women up to the shoulders or up to the
ears, as is practiced by the European or
American women, and in their imitation,
by some others.
However, trimming the hair in order to
make them grow quicker, or to bring them
in a level in which there is no
resemblance with men or non-muslim women
is permissible. My answer that has been
put on the website should be read in the
light of this explanation.
Original question and answer follows.
Q.) I want to know the ruling on the
hair cutting of women which involves:-
1. No resemblance with men.
2. No resemblance with Kaafir women.
3. Done with the consent of husband.
I have already heard of the general
ruling on this subject that it is haram.
But what makes me still ask the question
is that the Arab Ulema including the
grand Mufti of Saudia Sheikh Abdullah
Bin Baz say: "We do not know anything
(to disallow) cutting women's hair. What
is forbidden is shaving it. You should
not shave your hair but you may cut it
and reduce its length or volume; we know
of nothing wrong with that.
But that should be done in a proper
manner which will please you and your
husband. You should come to some
agreement with him on a kind of haircut
that does not resemble kaafir women,
because if you leave it long, it will be
a lot of trouble to wash it and comb it.
So if the hair is very long or thick,
and the woman cuts it to reduce its
length or volume, that doesn't matter.
Cutting some of it will make it more
beautiful, which will please both the
woman and her husband. So we do not know
of any reason to disallow that. But
shaving it altogether is not
permissible, except in the case of
sickness. And Allah is the Source of
strength." (See Fataawa al-Mar'ah al-Muslimah,
part 2, p. 515)
So I want to know the Daleel of Ahnaf by
which they say this to be haram. Kindly
guide to the solution which is most near
to Qur'an & Sunnah. Also tell me the
views of the four respected Imams on
this issue. [Abdul Mateen]
A.) Given the three conditions mentioned
in your question I am agreeable to the
Fatawa of Sheikh Abdullah Bin Baz.
