May a woman cut her hair?

Assalamu’alaikum

Is it permissible for a woman to keep her hair trimmed to shoulder length if her husband likes it that way and she is used to it from childhood and it makes it easier to care for?

wassalam

 بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم

الجواب حامدا ومصليا ومسلما

It is generally encouraged for women to let their hair grow naturally. The women in the time of the Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace), as well as in the time of the companions did not trim their hair. Rather keeping long hair was understood to be a sign of beauty. The female companions even asked the Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace) if they could further lengthen their hair by joining extra hair to the existing hair. Although the Messenger (may Allah bless him and give him peace) prohibited them from doing so because it is a form of altering the nature of the way Allah created us, such questions show that keeping long hair was a desirable practice for the women of that time.

Trimming the hair until it is above the shoulders is undoubtedly impermissible. Trimming it below the shoulders is also impermissible according to the vast majority of scholars. However, in cases of necessity such as illness, split-ends, etc.there may be scope for leniency depending on the exact details of the case.

والله اعلم

Allah subhanahu wa ta’ala knows best.

Taha Abdulkareem

Approved by Mufti Husain Ahmad Madani