Two Lengths Hairstyle

Nasihah (Advice): Imitating the Disbelievers

Sayyiduna Abu Saeed Al Khudri Radiyallahu Anhu reports that Rasullullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said, “You will follow the ways of those nations who were before you, span by span and cubit by cubit (i.e., inch by inch) so much so that even if they entered a hole of a lizard, you would follow them.” We said, “O Allah’s Messenger, (do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?” He said, “Who else?” (Sahih Bukhari)

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Question and Answer:

1. What is the ruling with regards to males cutting their hair in two or more lengths as is the common trend amongst the youth and adults nowadays? What are the limitations in Shari’ah regarding uneven hair lengths for males. Is it completely prohibited?

1. A. Partially shaving the head is prohibited in the Hadith.

Abdullah bin Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) saw a child whose head was partially shaved. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) prohibited them from cutting the hair in this manner and said, “Shave all the hair or leave all the hair.” (Abu Dawood #4195)

Imaam Nawawi (Rahimahullah) states in his commentary of Sahih Muslim: The Ulama have mentioned that the impermissibility of qaza’ (partial shaving of the head) is due to one of three reasons:

1. a) Distorting fiṭrah (natural disposition).
2. b) Resembling the Jews (or any other religious group).
3. c) Resembling the ways of immoral people.

Thus, these are the three factors that are considered by the jurists in determining whether a hairstyle is Islamically acceptable or not.

Abdullah bin Umar (Radhiyallahu Anhuma) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: ‘The one who emulates a people will be counted amongst them.’ (Abu Dawood #403)

In light of the above, trimming the hair in distinctively uneven lengths thereby imitating the practice of non-Muslims and fashioning ones hair according to the fashion trends in vogue is not permissible.

Slight variations in length which are not distinctively uneven and in which none of the above-mentioned impermissible elements are found will not be classified as impermissible.

However, ideally, even this should be avoided.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Mufti Taahir Hansa

Mufti M Hamza Farooqui

(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.) 

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