The ruling on a woman cutting her hair.

The Shaykh : It is permissible for a Muslim woman to cut her hair for the purpose of lightening it, or to adorn herself for her husband; provided she does not look at or follow the example of sinful or disbelieving women.

The questioner : What is the minimum limit?

The Shaykh : There is no minimum limit.

The questioner : I mean.

The Shaykh : But she must avoid imitating men.

The questioner : I mean, what is the limit?

The Shaykh : There is no objection.

The questioner : There is no prohibition; because in Sahih Muslim, it is reported that the women of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to cut their hair until it was like a tuft, and a tuft is hair that begins at the shoulders or near the shoulders, or the ears.

The Shaykh : Hashim: Long hair is not adornment, my brother...

The Shaykh: Yes.

The Shaykh : Hashim: Long hair is not adornment and not beautiful, I mean.

The Shaykh : For this, there is no doubt; but the issue is whether lightening it is permissible or not. Since it is in Sahih Muslim that the women of the Messenger used to cut their hair until it was like a tuft, therefore, to the extent that we are strict in what Allah has made strict, we are lenient in what Allah has made lenient. We are nothing but followers. Where there is leniency, we are lenient, and where there is strictness, we are strict. This is faith, .