Does a mother sin if she cuts her young daughter's hair like a boy's, and is the forbidden imitation limited to adult women or does it extend to children?

The questioner : A woman asks: "Shaykh, I cut my five-year-old daughter's hair in a style resembling a boy's. The reason is that she refuses to let me tie her hair, which makes its appearance unacceptable. Am I sinful for doing this, and is the forbidden imitation limited to adult women or does it extend to children?"

The Shaykh : She is sinful for this action, and this is the crux of the matter. It is sinful for her to cut her daughter's hair so that it resembles a male's, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) . A child must be kept away from what an adult must avoid. The child does not sin because he is not accountable, but his guardian sins if he causes him to do what is forbidden for an adult. If this girl's hair becomes untidy if it is not cut in this way, let it be so. A person should not commit a forbidden act for the sake of fixing hair. She must repent to Allah and not return to such an act, otherwise she will bear sin. Did not the Messenger (may Allah's prayer and peace be upon him) say: even though prayer is not obligatory for them? But the guardian must raise children in what pleases Allah and His Messenger, whether in performing what is commanded or in leaving what is prohibited.