Fatwa: 601

Category: fatwas about women

Dressing a Muslim woman's hair

The question:

What is the ruling regarding calling for a hairdresser, that is to say a woman who has a hairdressing salon, to one’s home in order to comb the bride’s hair in return for a wage? And May Allah bless you.

The answer:

All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon whom Allah sent as a mercy to the Worlds, upon his Family, his Companions and his Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

There is no harm if a straight (in the right way) Muslim woman combs her sister’s hair, because it is permissible in principle, since it is included in people’s usages not in acts of worship. Besides, the woman’s adornment for her husband is recommended, provided that she does not imitate the appearance of disbelievers or the coiffure of the prostitutes and dissolute women, as it is not permissible to imitate them in their particularities, in accordance with the Prophet صلَّى الله عليه وسلَّم saying, “He who imitates a people becomes one of them”⁽¹⁾.

The perfect knowledge belongs to Allah عزَّ وجلَّ. Our last prayer is all praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds. Peace and blessing be upon our Prophet, his Family, his Companions and Brothers till the Day of Resurrection.

Algiers, Shawwâl 19^th, 1426H.
Corresponding to: November 21^st, 2005.