https://islamqa.org/hanafi/daruliftaa/8436
My child attends a madrasah wherein it stipulates, as part of regulations, “Hair styles should not be adopted in an unsuitable manner i.e. short back and sides”.
On questioning the madrasah principle stated that this was in reference to the imitation of non-believers. Can you please clarify with appropriate text, if this regulation is substantiated within the law or whether this is a form of extreme interpretation of the law or otherwise.
ANSWER
In the name of Allah, Most Compassionate, Most Merciful,
Firstly, adopting any hair style that entails shaving some part of the head and leaving the other unshaved is impermissible or at the least disliked and explicitly prohibited by the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace).
Nafi’ reports that he heard Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) say: “I heard the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) forbidding the practice of Qaz’a.” Ubaid Allah said: “I asked what Qaz’a was? So he said: “When the head of a child is shaved and hair is left here and there, and Ubaid Allah pointed towards his forelock and the sides of his head. (Sahih al-Bukhari, No. 5576)
Sayyiduna Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that “the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) forbade the practice of Qaz’a.” Ubaid Allah said: “I asked Nafi’, what is Qaz’a? So he said: “To shave part of a child’s head and leave the other.” (Sahih Muslim, No. 2120)
Abd Allah ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with him) narrates that “The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) saw a child, part of whose head was shaved and the other unshaven. The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him & give him peace) forbade them (the Companions) from doing this and said: “Either shave it completely or leave it completely.” (Sunan Abu Dawud, no. 4192)
Imam al-Nawawi (Allah have mercy on him) states in his commentary of Sahih Muslim:
“Qaz’a means to shave some part of the head and leave the other. Others have said, to shave different parts from the head, although the first opinion is correct….The scholars (ulama) have unanimously agreed that it is disliked to shave parts of the head except if it is for a medical reason, and this is somewhat disliked (karaha tanzihiyya)….The scholars have said: The wisdom behind it being disliked is because it is distorting the fair nature on which one is created. Others said that this is the appearance of Shaytan, and it was said that, this is the fashion of the Jews.” (Sharh Muslim li al-Nawawi. Also see: Ibn Hajar, Fath al-Bari, 10/448)
The great Hanafi jurist (faqih), Allama Ibn Abidin (Allah have mercy on him) states quoting from al-Tahtawi:
“The practice of Qaz’a is disliked (makruh), and that is to shave part of the head and leave the other to the amount of three fingers.” (Radd al-Muhtar ala al-Durr al-Mukhtar, 6/407)
Due to the above narrations and statements of the Fuqaha, scholars mention that it is disliked to shave some part of the head and leave the other unshaved. This, according to Imam Nawawi, is somewhat disliked (makruh tanzihan). However, if the aspect of imitating the non-believers is taken into consideration, then it will be unlawful.
Therefore, adopting hair styles that entail shaving part of the head and leaving the rest, such as the Mohican hair cut, flattops, fades, etc is disliked — or even impermissible, if practiced due to imitating the non-believers. Imitation of the non-believers is effected in one of two ways.
a) One does something with a clear intention of imitating the non-believers, meaning one does so because one wants to be like a particular non-believer or non-believers. In other words, one feels the way of the non-Muslim is superior than one’s own faith and desires to be like him.
b) Doing something that is unique and exclusive to the non-believers or is part of their faith. This will also be considered imitation, thus Haram (unlawful). (Taqrir Tirmidhi by Shaykh Mufti Taqi Usmani)
Many contemporary scholars (especially in the Indo/Pak) have prohibited such hair cuts given that they result in unlawful imitation. Others, however, are somewhat lenient with the issue.
If one was to really look at the various hair cuts prevalent today, it would be evident that the styles normally appear and come into the market due to some celebrity, icon, pop star, actor, sports player adopting that hair style. Many a time, you will go to the barbers and he will show you the various styles in fashion as adopted by the various celebrities. He will also have pictures of them having their hair cut according to that style. At times, a particular (so called) star will cut his hair in a particular fashion and the whole world wants to have the same type of hair cut.
This shows that the different hair styles prevalent are generally adopted with the intention of imitating somene and wanting to be like him. As such, it would be impermissible to adopt them. However, if one does not intend to imitate them and the style is not unique with them, then it will not be totally unlawful, although disliked.
As far as the other hair styles, where some hair is cut short and the other remains long, is concerned, many contemporary scholars have included them also in the above category in that it will not be permissible. This, however, will be based (merely) on the prohibition of imitating the Kuffar, and not the prohibition of Qaz’a mentioned in the Hadith, for that exclusively relates to the situation where some part of the head is shaved and the other left unshaven.
Styles such as short back & sides, step (without shaving part of the head), curtains, etc will be impermissible if practiced with the intention of imitating the Kuffar (which is generally the case).
In conclusion, contemporary scholars hold two kinds of positions in this issue. Some are stricter, in that they prohibit such hair cuts given the aspect of imitating the Kuffar. Others are lenient in the matter given that these hair cuts have become widespread and are not unique characteristics of the Kuffar, although hair cuts that entail shaving some part of the head and leaving the other unshaved will be disliked, for that is clearly mentioned in the Hadith.
As for the Islamic school you have mentioned, it must be remarked that, a school has a right to have such regulations as part of their policy. As mentioned above, there are many contemporary scholars who have adopted the stricter position, thus the Islamic school (madrasa) are fully entitled to adopt this position. So much so, if a particular school forbids something which is completely lawful in Shariah or enforces a non-obligatory act due to strategic reasons, then it has the full right to do so. We see many state schools enforcing certain school uniforms and prohibiting many things, but there is no complain. However, if the same is implemented in an Islamic school (madrasa), then people begin to complain.
Therefore, in one enrols his child in a particular school, then he must adhere to all their conditions and regulations. These regulations may be somewhat a result of a strict interpretation of Islamic law, but must be obeyed nevertheless. If one feels that a particular school has a very strict ruling that is contrary to Islamic law, then he may move his son/daughter to another school.
And Allah knows best
[Mufti] Muhammad ibn Adam
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK
Darul Iftaa
Leicester , UK
https://islamqa.org/hanafi/askimam/6036
I have a few questions. Firstly, is it permissible to cut your hair in different lengths (buzz cut or fohawks), or can you shave of your sideburns and make a style on your beard, not shave it off. I am asking this because when I was younger the barber used to shave my sideburns of while giving me a haircut, but I’m almost 16 now and my sideburns are huge and I have no beard…I look like a monkey… My dad said I can’t shave it off because its part of my beard and keeping a beard is [wājib?]
If you break something that is wājib, are you still a muslim and what is the punishment? Also, what is the amount you have to keep of the beard?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
There are two parts to your question. The first is to do with the hair of the head and the second is to do with the beard. They will be discussed separately.
Haircuts
It is permissible for a male to cut his hair. This is based on the fact that there are numerous narrations which mention that Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam and the Sahabah radhiallahu anhum cut or shaved their hair. However, there are certain haircuts/ hairstyles that are impermissible.
Everyone is attracted to the latest fashion and style donned by celebrities, pop stars, sports stars and models. Everybody wants to be identified as a person who is in-sync with the times and in co-ordination with the latest trend. This ranges from the clothes such people wear to the foods they eat; and the hairstyles they don.
Hairstyles play a major part in the way a person is perceived by society. Certain hairstyles display chivalry and boyishness, whereas other styles display that a person is a business man or a serious person. Certain hairstyles link a person to a certain group, clique or organization. Other people choose to style their hair to display their personality; be it daring, carefree, lazy, adventurous, free spirited etc.
Some of these hairstyles are as follows:
•Crew cut
•Buzz cut
•Dreadlocks
•Fohawk
•Mowhawk
•Flattop
•Afro
•Spikes
•Mullet
•Pompadour
•Quiff
•Rattail
•Caesar cut
•Cornrows
•Shag
•Undercut
•Curtains
•Half ponytail
•High top fade
•Line up
•Tonsure
•Waves
•Comb over
•Emo hair
•Bangs
As Muslims we should protect our identity. Islam is our way of life in everything. It is not restricted to the masjid, the house or our workplace; it advises us on what we can wear and can’t wear, on what we can eat and can’t eat; likewise it has given us specific guidelines pertaining to our appearance.
Allah Ta῾ālā states in the Holy Quran:
قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ
(3/31)
“Say: (Oh Muhammad) If you love Allah then follow me and Allah will love you and He will forgive your sins.”
It was the noble habit of Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam to keep long hair and it has also been proven that he shaved the hair of his mubaarak head.[i]
If one doesn’t want to keep long hair or a bald head, he may adopt the hairstyles of the pious people because Allah Ta῾ālā states in the Holy Quran:
وَاتَّبِعْ سَبِيلَ مَنْ أَنَابَ إِلَيَّ
(31/15)
“And follow the way of those people who repent to me.”
Generally, there are two factors that render a haircut impermissible.
2. تشبه (Imitating non- Muslims)
Qaza’ is impermissible because of the following Hadīth:
· عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ نَافِعٍ، عَنْ نَافِعٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: نَهَى رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ عَنِ الْقَزَعِ . قَالَ: وَمَا الْقَزَعُ؟ قَالَ: أَنْ يُحْلَقَ مِنْ رَأْسِ الصَّبِيِّ مَكَانٌ وَيُتْرَكَ مَكَانٌ[iii]
Translation: Umar bin Nāfi’ that Nāfi’ narrates that Ibn Umar radhiallahu anhuma said: Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam prohibited us from Qaza’. Ibn Nāfi’ enquired: what is Qaza’? He replied: “To shave one part of a child’s head and leave the remaining part unshaven.”
Some of the haircuts mentioned above fall under the ambit of Qaza’ such as the: crew cut, flattop, rattail and mowhawk (when part of the head is shaved).
The second factor that renders a haircut impermissible is imitating non-muslims or fashioning ones hair according to the latest hairstyles. Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam said:
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ[iv]
If a person’s hair is uneven, it will be deemed impermissible if it resembles the fashion hairstyles of the non- believers[v] such as footballers, pop stars, actors etc. Haircuts and hairstyles such as a mowhawk, fohawk, marine cut, tram lines, box fade, quiff, pompadour, emo cut etc. will be impermissible.[vi]
If one is not sure as to whether keeping a certain hairstyle falls under the ambit of imitating the non- believers then he should abstain from it. Rasulullah sallallahu alaihi wasallam is reported to have said:
دَعْ مَا يَرِيبُكَ إِلَى مَا لاَ يَرِيبُكَ[vii]
“Leave that which puts you in doubt and implement that thing which does not put you in doubt.”
The Beard- its’ definition
The definition of the beard is as follows[viii]:
أَنَّ الْمُرَادَ بِاللِّحْيَةِ الشَّعْرُ النَّابِتُ عَلَى الْخَدَّيْنِ مِنْ عِذَارٍ وَعَارِضٍ وَالذَّقَنِ [ix]
“The following is meant by ‘lihya’: the hair that grows on the cheeks consisting of the sideburns (idhār), jawbone (āridh) and chin (dhaqn).”
عِذَارٍ: شعر الخدين من شحمة الاذنين الى منبت اللحية /القدر المياذي للاذن
“Idhār: The hair that grow on the cheeks; starting from the earlobe until the jawbone/ the area adjacent to the ears.”
“Aaridh: The hair that grows on the cheek; it starts from the bottom of the idhār until the hair that grows on the chin.”
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