An Islamic perspective on women’s hair cutting, with authentic sources and scholarly insights.
A Look into Cultural and Historical Context
Traditionally, Arab women kept their hair long. It was common to style it into braids or buns. However, historical reports show that some women did cut their hair — sometimes for adornment, and other times as a form of abstaining from beautification, such as in mourning for a deceased husband.
Another practical reason some women trimmed their hair was simply to ease the burden of maintaining long hair. According to the stronger scholarly view, such acts are generally permitted — depending on intention and context.
Scholarly Views on Cutting Hair to the Ears
1. View One: Permissibility (Majority Opinion)
This is the opinion of the Shafi’i school, as well as scholars like Abu Bakr al-Athram, a student of Imam Ahmad from the Hanbali school.
They base this on a hadith:
عن عائشة رضي الله عنها:
“أن أزواجَ النبيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ كُنَّ يأخُذْنَ مِن رُؤُوسِهِنَّ حتَّى تَكُونَ كَالْوَفْرَةِ”“The wives of the Prophet ﷺ used to cut their hair until it reached just below the earlobes.”
— [Sahih Muslim, Hadith 320]
The word “wafrah” (وَفْرَة) refers to hair length that reaches the earlobes. This is a clear and authentic hadith showing it’s permissible for a woman to cut her hair to that length.
2. View Two: Disliked (Makruh)
Some Hanbali scholars have expressed that while not outright haram, it is discouraged unless there’s a valid reason.
3. View Three: Prohibition
Another view — also from the Hanbali school — holds that cutting the hair is haram, with an exception made only during Hajj or Umrah.
So, What’s the Strongest Opinion?
The most supported view based on authentic evidence is that cutting the hair to the earlobes is permissible, not disliked or forbidden. There’s no text explicitly prohibiting it, and we have solid proof that the Prophet’s wives did so.
What About Shaving the Head?
Now we move into a different category — shaving the head entirely.
1. View One: Forbidden (Except in Necessity)
This is the stance of many Shafi’i scholars, who base it on the following hadith:
عن النبي ﷺ:
“بَرِئَ مِنَ الصَّالِقَةِ، والحَالِقَةِ، والشَّاقَّةِ”“The Messenger of Allah ﷺ disassociated himself from the woman who wails loudly, the one who shaves her head (in mourning), and the one who tears her clothing.”
— [Sahih al-Bukhari 1296, Sahih Muslim 104]
Here, “haliqah” (الحالقة) refers to a woman who shaves her head out of grief. Additionally, another hadith says:
“لَعَنَ النبيُّ صَلَّى اللهُ عليه وسلَّمَ المُتَشَبِّهَاتِ مِنَ النِّسَاءِ بِالرِّجَالِ”
“The Prophet ﷺ cursed women who imitate men.”
— [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5885]
Shaving the head was seen as imitating male appearance, which is not permitted.
2. View Two: Disliked (Not Haram)
This is a less strict view and is considered the correct one by some Shafi’i scholars. It leans toward disliking the act rather than outright forbidding it — except when done with a valid reason.
Exceptions: When Is Shaving the Head Permissible for Women?
There are a few valid exceptions where shaving the head is not only allowed but sometimes necessary:
- Medical treatment: If there’s lice, severe scalp infection, or any condition where shaving is required.
- Protection: If a woman must disguise herself to avoid harm — for instance, hiding her gender for safety from assault.
- During Hajj/Umrah: Trimming hair is part of the ritual for women; full shaving is not required.
When Is It Forbidden for a Woman to Cut or Shave Her Hair in Islam?
While trimming hair to a certain length (like the ears) is generally allowed, there are some clear situations where it becomes haram — forbidden. These rulings are based on authentic hadiths and scholarly consensus.
Let’s break it down by scenario.
1. Cutting or Shaving Hair to Imitate Men (تشبّه بالرجال)
🔴 Ruling: Forbidden (Haram)
If a woman cuts or styles her hair in a way that intentionally imitates men, it falls under tashabbuh — which is explicitly prohibited.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“لَعَنَ اللهُ المتشبّهاتِ من النساء بالرجال”
“Allah has cursed women who imitate men.”
— [Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith 5885]
Examples:
- Shaving the head just to look masculine.
- Styling hair in a way distinctively associated with men in a given culture.
❗ Why? Islam emphasizes maintaining the natural differences in appearance between men and women.
2. Shaving the Head Out of Grief or Distress
🔴 Ruling: Forbidden (Haram)
Shaving the head as an expression of mourning, despair, or protest is not allowed. This act was practiced in pre-Islamic times and was discouraged by the Prophet ﷺ.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“بَرِئَ من الحالقة”
“He disassociated himself from the woman who shaves her head (in grief).”
— [Sahih al-Bukhari 1296, Sahih Muslim 104]
Why is it forbidden?
Because it’s a form of exaggerated mourning and symbolizes a lack of patience with Allah’s decree.
3. Shaving the Head Without a Valid Reason (No Need or Intention for Worship)
🔴 Ruling: Forbidden (according to many scholars)
Without any medical, religious, or protective necessity, shaving the head is considered haram by scholars from the Shafi’i and Hanbali schools.
🧠 Note: This doesn’t apply to trimming or shortening — only to complete shaving.
4. Cutting Hair to Attract Non-Mahram Men or for Sinful Beautification
🔴 Ruling: Forbidden
If the intention behind the haircut is to seduce or attract attention in a haram way (e.g., outside hijab, posting online for likes, etc.), then the action itself becomes impermissible due to the intention and its outcome.
🧠 Principle in Islam:
“Actions are judged by intentions.” — [Hadith in Bukhari & Muslim]
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