Question:
ssalaamu alaikum wa rahmatullah.
I have heard that is impermissible for a woman to cut her hair above her shoulders. I have severe dandruff and itchy scalp, and psoriasis on my ears which is uncomfortable and very itchy, and which sometimes oozes. The longer my hair is, the more itchy my head and ears get, and the less circulation they receive. Would it be permissible for me to cut my hair very short, as in above the shoulder, in order to achieve relief from my condition, whilst I try to treat it?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Our Fuqahaa (Jurists) have clearly stated in the classical books of Fiqh that is forbidden for a woman to shorten her hair. If the hair of a woman grows beyond her back/hips then it will be permissible to trim the excess hair.
The famous Hanafi scholar 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 above her shoulders, except for medical reasons or a valid need. A woman may trim her hair due to the mentioned illness, only to the extent that is needed and she may get relief.
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)