Question:
Is it permissible for women to cut their hair, so it will be easier to manage? If she has split ends? How short can she cut it?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Our Fuqahaa (Jurists) have clearly stated in the classical books of Fiqh that is forbidden for a woman to cut her hair.
Imam al-Haskafi (Allah have mercy on him) mentions “If a woman cuts her hair, she will be sinful and cursed. Even with the permission of the husband, as there is no obedience to the creation in disobeying the Creator.”
Hence, it would not be permitted for women to cut their hair, except for medical reasons or a valid need. A woman may trim her hair slightly to remove split ends. If the hair of a woman grows beyond her back/hips then it will be permissible to trim the excess hair.
It must also be noted that to imitate the hairstyles of the Kuffar and non-Muslim women is not permissible. Many prevalent hairstyles nowadays are an imitation of the styles of non-Muslim women, thus it will be sinful and prohibited.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)
