The ruling on men growing their hair long

Question:
A questioner asks: What is the ruling on men growing their hair long, provided it is not imitating women? Is that a sunnah (recommended practice) of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him)?

Answer:
Growing the hair on the head is permissible (mubah) if it is in accordance with the sunnah (recommended practice) of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him); it falls under the category of permissible acts. Some scholars hold that it is a sunnah (recommended practice) and recommended (mustahabb), which involves combing it, cleaning it, applying oil to it, and arranging it, either by making it into braids or letting it hang loose. However, growing the hair in the manner of the disbelievers and imitating them is not permissible (la yajuz). The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: And whoever wishes to grow the hair on his head should refer to...