25th February 2026
السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Question: Is semi-permanent hair dye permissible to use and are there any opinions that allow it. If not, are there any circumstances where it’s permissible and if it is already applied to one’s hair, what steps should be taken after this?
الجواب حامداً و مصلياً
In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer: In reference to your query, dyeing the hair is in principle permissible, there is a narration that the Prophet (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to dye his beard with henna and yellow colour.[1] This is not considered alteration of Allāh’s creation. Changing the colour of the hair with a substance that is pure and not harmful is allowed, and the practice of applying henna and similar dye has been accepted.[2] The fact that a product is described ‘permanent’ or ‘semi-permanent’ in commercial terms does not change the ruling, as the colour change is not truly permanent in the legal (shar’ee) sense.[3]
Modern semi-permanent dyes take the same ruling. If the dye is free from impure ingredients and does not cause harm, then its use is permissible. It must also be ensured that the dye does not form a physical coating which prevents water from reaching the hair and scalp. If water can reach the hair during Wudhu and Ghusal, then purification remains valid. [4]
There is no need to remove a permissible dye once it has been applied. If a particular product is discovered to create a waterproof barrier that blocks water, then it must be removed before performing obligatory purification. Otherwise, no further action is required. A word of caution of not to display your hair in public because covering the hair when going out in public is obligatory upon women.
[Allāh Knows Best]
Written by: Apa Sumayya Qazi Reviewed by: Mufti Abdul Waheed
Attested by: Shaykh Mufti Saiful Islam
JKN Fatawa Department
[1] Sunnan Nasa’i, vol 5, Hadith 83.
أَتَيْتُ أَنَا وَأَبِي النَّبِيَّ ﷺ وَكَانَ قَدْ لَطَخَ لِحْيَتَهُ بِالْحِنَّاءِ
[2] Ibn Abideen, Raddul Muhtar, Kitab al Hila Wal Mazahir, Vol 5, pg 271
ذكر حكم في خضاب الشعر و اللحية واستحباب تغييره بلون مباح ، مع بيان اختلاف الألوان والله أعلم.
Fatawa Hindiyyah, Baab Khadab wal Lihya, Vol 5, pg 329.
اتفق المشايخ أن خضاب الشعر بالحمرة سنة، وهو من سيماء المسلمين وعلاماتهم.
[3] See link for more details; https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemrestox.1c00427
Scientific research shows that semi-permanent hair dyes work by depositing colour molecules on the surface or shallow layers of the hair shaft and fade over time with repeated washing, while permanent dyes require oxidation chemists to create deeper colour but still lose intensity over weeks. This demonstrates that even commercially labelled ‘permanent’ dyes are not truly permanent at a chemical level.
[4] Ibn Abideen, Raddul Muhtar, Kitab al Taharah, Vol 1, pg 124.
لا يضر تغيّر اللون ما لم يكن هناك جرم يمنع وصول الماء.
Fath al Qadir, Kitab al Taharah, Vol 1, pg 102.
المدار على وصول الماء،