Ruling on a Woman Cutting Her Hair for Adornment

Question:
What is the ruling on a woman cutting part of her hair? We ask for clarification, as this phenomenon has become widespread among Muslim women.

Answer:
Leaving it is preferable, because it is beauty for her and adornment for her. We do not know of any prohibition regarding cutting it if it is with her husband's consent, if she has a husband, and they agree on it. Or if she is unmarried and cuts some of her hair to lighten it because of its abundance, not to imitate disbelieving women, and not to imitate men, but only to lighten it, then there is nothing wrong with that, as far as we know, and nothing has been transmitted that forbids it.
The prohibition was specifically regarding shaving; a woman is forbidden from shaving her head. As for cutting, we do not know of any prohibition. The wives of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cut from their heads when he (peace and blessings be upon him) passed away, to lighten it, because it becomes tiring when it is long. So lightening it, as far as we know, is not a problem. However, leaving it for the sake of beauty, especially for young women, is preferable and safer.