26th August 2021
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: Are Muslim women allowed to dye their hair with natural colours permanently? Kindly provide a detailed answer for this.
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Generally, it is permissible for women and men to dye their hair. It is recommended to dye the hair using henna because it is Sunnah. The noble companions would use henna to dye their hair and beard.[1]However, there are certain points which need to be taken into consideration.
1: Permanent hair dye even though it is labelled as “permanent”, is in actual fact not permanent and lasts between 6 to 10 weeks in most cases.[2] It is important to note that the ruling of taghyeer (alteration) – changing one’s natural creation that Allāh Almighty made a person upon does not apply. Taghyeer is a result of permanent change to one’s natural outlook for embellishment to any bodily part either by adding or removing something which is prohibited. If it is temporary beautification then it is not prohibited on the account of taghyeer.[3]
2)In permanent hair dye or any hair dye one must ensure there is no ingredient which leaves a coating on the hair. As water will not be able to pass through the coating therefore wudhu and ghusl will not be complete.[4] Some hair dyes either coat the hair or merely colour the hair only. It is better to verify from the manufacturers or retailers first before purchasing them.
PPD (Paraphenylenediamine) is a key ingredient in permanent hair dyes. It is an oxidative precursor which reacts with agents such as ammonia and hydrogen peroxide in the hair dye. PPD works by entering the hair fibres and reacting with the oxidative agents. This then forms large coloured pigments inside of the hair fibres which provides its permanent colour. PPD does not form a waterproof seal over the hair strands, rather it alters the natural colour of the smaller hair fibres. PPD can be found in many semi-permanent and permanent hair dyes though one must check the label on purchasing as a precaution. However, an individual must remain mindful of the allergic reactions that can be caused by PPD. Temporary and semi-permanent hair dyes, contain colourants that form a layer over the hair strands, merely providing a colour that can be removed after a few weeks of washing. Therefore, they remain waterproof as they prevent water from reaching the hair strands. PPD (permanent hair dyes apart from black) are permissible to use due to not being waterproof. As they colour the natural hair fibres and do not provide a sealant over them.[5]
Another ingredient used in hair dye is Hydrogen peroxide (H202). It works by changing the hair pigment called melanin. Therefore, it does not coat the hair and thus it would be permissible to use.[6]
3) Another point to consider is that the ingredients must be pure. It won’t be permissible to use if it contains any impure ingredient. If the hair dye contains alcohol extracted from grapes and dates then it is not permissible to use. Alcohol extracted from anything else such as wheat, figs, petrol, chemicals are not considered impure according to Imām Abu Hanifah rahimahullah and Imām Abū Yusuf rahimahullah.[7]
4) One should preferably avoid using hair dyes which contain harmful ingredients. As some hair dyes are known to contain toxic chemicals or to cause hair loss etc.[8]
5) It would be permissible to dye the hair with any other colour with the exception of black.[9]
Sayyidunā Abdullāh Ibn Abbās radhiyallahu anhu relates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam has said; “There shall come such people towards the end of time where they will colour their hair with black like (the colour of) a pigeon’s chest but they shall not scent the fragrance of paradise.” [10]
To apply black hair-dye with the purpose of deceiving others is prohibited. For adornment purposes, it is better to refrain from as it would be considered makrooh but not Haram.[11]
6) A final point that the type of hair colour chosen should not be done with the intention of imitating those of other faiths.
Sayyidunā Abdullah ibn Umar radhiyallahu anhuma narrates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam said, “Change the white hair but do not imitate the Jews.”[12]
[Allāh Knows Best]
Written by: Apa Sajeda Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed
Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department
[1] Ibn Nujaym, Bahr Rāiq, Kitābul Karahiyah, Volume 8, Pg 208
ولا بأس للنساء بخضاب اليد والرجل ما لم يكن خضاب فيه تماثيل ويكره للرجال والصبيان لأن ذلك تزين وهو مباح للنساء دون الرجال ولا بأس بخضاب الرأس واللحية بالحناء والوشمة للرجال والنساء لأن ذلك سبب لزيادة الرغبة والمحبة بين الزوجين
Al- Mabsoot al Sarakhsi, Kitabul Taharee, Vol 10, Pg 199
وأما من اختضب لأجل التزين للنساء والجواري فقد منع من ذلك بعض العلماء رحمهم الله تعالى والأصح أنه لا بأس به، هو مروي عن أبي يوسف – رحمه الله تعالى – قال: كما يعجبني أن تتزين لي يعجبها أن أتزين له
[2].[online]Available at:<https://www.pantene.co.uk/en-gb/hair-tips/coloured-hair/how-long-does-hhttps://www.pantene.co.uk/en-gb/hair-tips/coloured-hair/how-long-does-hair-dye-lastair-dye-last> [Accessed 17 August 2021].
[3] Muhamad Uthman Shabir, Ahkaam Jarahatul Tajmeel fi Fiqhil Islami, Pg 11
حرم اسلام الوشم والوسم والقشر ما لا فيها من تغيير الخلقة الاصلية بما هو باق وتعذيب إلانسان بلا ضرورة . وأجاز الاستعمال ما لا يكون باقيا من األصباغ كالكحل و الحناء والكتم والحمرة وغير ذلك
Imam Qurtubi, Tafseer Qurtubi, Vol 5, Pg 393
وهذه الأمور كلها قد شهدت الأحاديث بلعن فاعلها وأنها من الكبائر ، واختلف في المعنى الذي نهى لأجلها ، فقيل : لأنها من باب التدليس ، وقيل : من باب تغيير خلق الله تعالى كما قال ابن مسعود ، وهو أصح ، وهو يتضمن المعنى الأول ، ثم قيل : هذا المنهي عنه إنما هو فيما يكون باقياً ؛ لأنه من باب تغيير خلق الله تعالى ، فأما مالا يكون باقياً كالكحل والتزين به للنساء فقد أجاز العلماء ذلك “ انتهى من “.
[4] Fatawa Hindiyya, Kitābul Taharat, vol 1, Pg 26
والخضاب إذا تجسد ويبس يمنع تمام الوضوء والغسل كذا في السراج الوهاج ناقلا عن الوجيز … وإن كان على رأسها خضاب فمسحت على الخضاب إذا اختلطت البلة بالخضاب وخرجت عن حكم الماء المطلق لا يجوز المسح كذا في الخلاصة والله أعلم
[5] Truthabouthaircolor.com. 2021. How Does PPD Hair Dye Work | Truth About Hair Colour. [online] Available at: <https://www.truthabouthaircolor.com/hair-dye-health/how-does-ppd-dye-work>. [Accessed 17 August 2021].
Helmenstine, A., 2019. The Science Behind How Hair Coloring Works. [online] ThoughtCo. Available at: <https://www.thoughtco.com/salon-hair-color-chemistry-602183> [Accessed 17 August 2021].
[6] Compound Interest. 2015. The Chemistry of Permanent Hair Dyes. [online] Available at: <https://www.compoundchem.com/2015/05/14/hair-dyes/> [Accessed 17 August 2021].
[7] Please see our detailed fatwa on alcohol and hair dye at https://jknfatawa.co.uk/hair-dye-containing-alcohol/
[8] Al- Quran, Surah Baqarah, Verse 195
وَاَنۡفِقُوۡا فِىۡ سَبِيۡلِ اللّٰهِ وَلَا تُلۡقُوۡا بِاَيۡدِيۡكُمۡ اِلَى التَّهۡلُكَةِ ۖ ۛۚ وَاَحۡسِنُوۡا ۛۚ اِنَّ اللّٰهَ يُحِبُّ الۡمُحۡسِنِيۡنَ
[9] Durrul Mukhtār wa hashiyah Ibn Ābideen Shāmi, Masa’il Shataa, vol 6, Pg 756
(قوله جاز في الأصح) وهو مروي عن أبي يوسف فقد قال: يعجبني أن تتزين لي امرأتي كما يعجبها أن أتزين لها والأصح أنه لا بأس به في الحرب وغيره واختلفت الرواية في أن النبي – صلى الله عليه وسلم – فعله في عمره والأصح لا وفصل في المحيط بين الخضاب بالسواد قال عامة المشايخ: إنه مكروه وبعضهم جوزه مروي عن أبي يوسف، أما بالحمرة فهو سنة الرجال وسيما المسلمين اهـ منح ملخصا وفي شرح المشارق للأكمل والمختار أنه – صلى الله عليه وسلم – خضب في وقت، وتركه في معظم الأوقات، ومذهبنا أن الصبغ بالحناء والوسمة حسن كما في الخانية قال النووي: ومذهبنا استحباب خضاب الشيب للرجل والمرأة بصفرة أو حمرة وتحريم خضابه بالسواد على الأصح
[10] Sunnan Nasai, Kitabul Zeenah, Baab alnahee anil kidhaab bisawad, Vol 8, Pg 326, No. 9293
عن ابن عباس رفعه قال :يَكُونُ قَوْمٌ يَخْضِبُونَ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ بِالسَّوَادِ كَحَوَاصِلِ الْحَمَامِ لاَ يَرِيحُونَ رَائِحَةَ الْجَنَّة
[11] Please see our detailed fatwa on dying the hair black to please the husband. https://jknfatawa.co.uk/women-dying-their-hair/
[12] Sunnan Nasai, Kitabul Zeenah, Baabul izni bilkizaab, Vol 8, Pg 325 No. 9291
أَخْبَرَنِي عُثْمَانُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ جَنَابٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عِيسَى بْنُ يُونُسَ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم “ غَيِّرُوا الشَّيْبَ وَلاَ تَشَبَّهُوا بِالْيَهُودِ