What is the ruling in Islamic law regarding a woman cutting her hair, knowing that her intention is not to imitate non-Muslim women? May Allah preserve you and reward you with all good?
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The questioner : What is the ruling in Islamic law regarding a woman cutting her hair, knowing that her intention is not to imitate non-Muslim women? May Allah preserve you and reward you with all good?
The Shaykh : If a woman cuts her hair in a way that resembles the heads of men, then this is forbidden and not permissible; rather, it is one of the major sins. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the women who imitate men and the men who imitate women.
As for if it is done in a way that differs from the hair of men's heads, the well-known view in the Hanbali school, may Allah have mercy on them, is that it is disliked. Some scholars have held that it is permissible, arguing with what is narrated from the Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them) that they used to cut their hair after the death of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) so that it would be like a tuft of hair. However, the answer to this is that they did this to make known their withdrawal from marriage, because the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are not permitted to be married by anyone after his death, as Allah the Exalted said:[Al-Ahzab 33:53].
Regarding the questioner's statement that she does not intend to imitate, it should be known that if similarity occurs in a place where it is not permissible, intention is not required for it. This is because similarity is an appearance, the appearance of one thing on another, so intention is not required for it. Therefore, if similarity occurs in a forbidden manner, it is prohibited, whether the doer intended it or not.
Many people think that forbidden similarity is not forbidden unless there is intention and purpose, and this is an error. Rather, whenever the appearance of forbidden similarity occurs, it is forbidden, whether the doer intended this similarity or not. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : If a woman cuts her hair in a way that resembles the heads of men, then this is forbidden and not permissible; rather, it is one of the major sins. This is because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed the women who imitate men and the men who imitate women.
As for if it is done in a way that differs from the hair of men's heads, the well-known view in the Hanbali school, may Allah have mercy on them, is that it is disliked. Some scholars have held that it is permissible, arguing with what is narrated from the Mothers of the Believers (may Allah be pleased with them) that they used to cut their hair after the death of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) so that it would be like a tuft of hair. However, the answer to this is that they did this to make known their withdrawal from marriage, because the wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) are not permitted to be married by anyone after his death, as Allah the Exalted said:
And it is not [conceivable or lawful] for you to harm the Messenger of Allah or to marry his wives after him, ever. Indeed, that would be in the sight of Allah an enormity.
ولا يحل لكم أن تؤذوا رسول الله ولا أن تنكحوا أزواجه من بعده أبدا إن ذلكم كان عند الله عظيماRegarding the questioner's statement that she does not intend to imitate, it should be known that if similarity occurs in a place where it is not permissible, intention is not required for it. This is because similarity is an appearance, the appearance of one thing on another, so intention is not required for it. Therefore, if similarity occurs in a forbidden manner, it is prohibited, whether the doer intended it or not.
Many people think that forbidden similarity is not forbidden unless there is intention and purpose, and this is an error. Rather, whenever the appearance of forbidden similarity occurs, it is forbidden, whether the doer intended this similarity or not. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.