Guidelines for Hair Cutting in Islamic Law
In Islamic jurisprudence, human hair is categorized into three types, as follows:
- The first category is hair that is explicitly mandated to be removed for both men and women. This includes armpit hair, pubic hair, and facial hair such as the mustache for men. Armpit hair can be removed through methods like plucking or cutting, while the traditional practice for men regarding mustache trimming is to do so by cutting. It is recommended to remove this type of hair every forty days.
- The second category is hair that the law instructs to be left untouched, such as eyebrow hair and facial hair for men (beard). It is impermissible to alter this hair in any form, whether by cutting or other means.
- The third category consists of hair the law remains silent about, such as hair on the legs, chest, back, and similar areas. Individuals have the freedom to either cut this hair or leave it as they choose.
Hair Cutting Regulations for Women
Islamic law does not prohibit women from cutting their hair; thus, there is no objection to doing so if it is intended for beautification for their husbands or to simplify the maintenance of long hair, among other permissible reasons. The fundamental principle in customary practices is permissibility unless there is evidence to the contrary. Scholars have highlighted specific situations in which cutting hair might be deemed impermissible for women, including:
- When the intention is to beautify oneself for non-mahram individuals.
- When the haircut resembles that of men.
- When the intention is to imitate non-believers or immoral individuals.
- When a woman cuts her hair without her husband’s consent.
- When a man is the one cutting her hair.
Hair Cutting Regulations for Men
Islamic law prohibits a practice known as ‘Qaza’, which refers to shaving some parts of the hair while leaving others intact. The definition of Qaza implies that any trimming or arrangement that leaves certain areas unshorn is also considered part of this practice. Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) identified four types of Qaza: firstly, shaving random patches of hair without a consistent pattern; secondly, shaving the sides of the head while leaving the center intact; thirdly, shaving the center while leaving the sides; and fourthly, shaving the front while leaving the back untouched. Scholars hold differing opinions regarding Qaza:
- Some scholars consider it undesirable (makruh), a view held by the Hanbali and Shafi’i schools, although they assert that it becomes impermissible (haram) if intended to imitate non-believers or immoral individuals due to the prohibition on such imitation.
- Other scholars classify it as outright forbidden (haram), based on the direct prohibition by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), as the general principle of prohibition indicates a ruling of impermissibility.