What does Islam say about hairstyles?
Islam addresses hairstyles with various guidelines rooted in the teachings of the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. One of the key principles emphasized is the honor and respect for one's hair. The Prophet ﷺ stated: Whoever has hair, should honor it.
Sunan Abu Dawud 35:5. This encapsulates the idea that hair is a part of one's physical appearance and should be treated with care.
In terms of specific styles, certain practices are discouraged. The Prophet ﷺ forbade the practice of al-Qaza’, which refers to a hairstyle where part of the hair is shaved off, leaving patches of hair unshaved. He indicated: The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade the practice of al-Qaza’ (a style of hair cutting where part of the hair is shaved off).
Sunan an-Nasa'i 48:189. This prohibition helps maintain a standard of grooming that reflects dignity and respect.
Furthermore, there are cultural considerations regarding hairstyles that align with Islamic values. The Prophet ﷺ was noted for initially allowing his forelock to hang down, which was a style associated with the People of the Book, before later parting it. As narrated: The People of the Book used to let their hair hang down, while the polytheists parted their hair. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was fond of resembling the People of the Book. So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) first let his forelock hang down, then he parted it.
Sunan Ibn Majah 33:83. This reflects an awareness of cultural identity and the significance of hairstyles within that context.
Moreover, Islamic teachings on modesty extend to women's adornment, including hair. The Qur'an advises: And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.
24:31. This verse highlights the importance of modesty in how women present themselves, including their hairstyles.
Overall, while Islam encourages the honoring of hair and grooming, it also sets boundaries to promote modesty and cultural respect.
Sources
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24:31 · An-Noor
24:31 · Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall
وَقُل لِّلْمُؤْمِنَٰتِ يَغْضُضْنَ مِنْ أَبْصَٰرِهِنَّ وَيَحْفَظْنَ فُرُوجَهُنَّ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا مَا ظَهَرَ مِنْهَا ۖ وَلْيَضْرِبْنَ بِخُمُرِهِنَّ عَلَىٰ جُيُوبِهِنَّ ۖ وَلَا يُبْدِينَ زِينَتَهُنَّ إِلَّا لِبُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ ءَابَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ أَبْنَآءِ بُعُولَتِهِنَّ أَوْ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ إِخْوَٰنِهِنَّ أَوْ بَنِىٓ أَخَوَٰتِهِنَّ أَوْ نِسَآئِهِنَّ أَوْ مَا مَلَكَتْ أَيْمَٰنُهُنَّ أَوِ ٱلتَّٰبِعِينَ غَيْرِ أُو۟لِى ٱلْإِرْبَةِ مِنَ ٱلرِّجَالِ أَوِ ٱلطِّفْلِ ٱلَّذِينَ لَمْ يَظْهَرُوا۟ عَلَىٰ عَوْرَٰتِ ٱلنِّسَآءِ ۖ وَلَا يَضْرِبْنَ بِأَرْجُلِهِنَّ لِيُعْلَمَ مَا يُخْفِينَ مِن زِينَتِهِنَّ ۚ وَتُوبُوٓا۟ إِلَى ٱللَّهِ جَمِيعًا أَيُّهَ ٱلْمُؤْمِنُونَ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
And tell the believing women to lower their gaze and be modest, and to display of their adornment only that which is apparent, and to draw their veils over their bosoms, and not to reveal their adornment save to their own husbands or fathers or husbands' fathers, or their sons or their husbands' sons, or their brothers or their brothers' sons or sisters' sons, or their women, or their slaves, or male attendants who lack vigour, or children who know naught of women's nakedness. And let them not stamp their feet so as to reveal what they hide of their adornment. And turn unto Allah together, O believers, in order that ye may succeed.
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Sunan Abu Dawud 35:5
Sunan Abu Dawud · Book 35, Hadith 5 · Narrated by Abu Huraira
The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever has hair, should honor it."
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Sunan an-Nasa'i 48:189
Sunan an-Nasa'i · Book 48, Hadith 189 · Narrated by Ibn Umar
The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade the practice of al-Qaza’ (a style of hair cutting where part of the hair is shaved off).
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Sunan Ibn Majah 33:83
Sunan Ibn Majah · Book 33, Hadith 83 · Narrated by Ibn Abbas
The People of the Book used to let their hair hang down, while the polytheists parted their hair. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was fond of resembling the People of the Book. So the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) first let his forelock hang down, then he parted it.
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