Women shortening their hair out of necessity

Reference: Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-‘Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. v5 p182 q2 of no.2922
Fataawa wa Ahkaam fee Sha’r an-Nisaa – Question 27, Page 32

Question: What is the ruling regarding [women] shortening their hair out of necessity such as in the United Kingdom where the women find washing their hair difficult due to the cold weather so because of this they shorten it.

Response: If the situation is as mentioned, then it is permissible for them to cut short their hair according to what their needs stipulate only. As for cutting short their hair out of resembling the disbelieving women, then this is not permissible as the Prophet ﷺ said:

«Whoever resembles a nation, then he is from them»

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet ﷺ and his family and his companions.


Translation originally published on 3 May, 2001.

Graduate of the Islaamic University of Madeenah, having completed the Arabic Language programme at the Institute of Arabic Language before progressing to the Faculty of Sharee'ah, from which he graduated in 2004.

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