[Q 424] Islamic Ruling on Women’s Haircuts?

QUESTION:

Would doing haircuts like this doll has with the front of the hair cut short and the rest of it below the shoulders be permissible for a woman I.e. any style of fringes and bangs?

ANSWER:

For a woman to cut the hair on her head from the front or back in such a way that they become shoulder-length or above the shoulders is impermissible, Haram, and a sin. And the curse of Allah Almighty is upon such a woman, reason being, such a haircut involves tashabbuh bil-rijaal (imitation of men), and the Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم has cursed women who imitate men.

Therefore, just like the hairstyle seen on the doll in the image (with short front bangs), it is not permissible for women to cut their hair in that manner. If a woman wants to trim her hair, she may only neaten the tips of her hair that are below the shoulders.

About women imitating men in such ways, the Hadith says:

“عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما قال: لعن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم المتشبهين من الرجال بالنساء، والمتشبهات من النساء بالرجال”

Translation: Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas رضي الله عنهما narrated that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men.

(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab al-Libaas, Bab al-Mutashabbihun bil-Nisaa, Vol. 2, p. 874, published in Karachi)

Explaining this Hadith, ‘Allamah Abu al-Hasan Ibn Battaal رحمة اللہ عليه (d. 449 AH) writes:

“ولا يجوز للنساء التشبه بالرجال فيما كان ذلك للرجال خاصة”

Translation: It is not permissible for women to imitate men in matters that are exclusively for men.

(Sharh Sahih Bukhari li Ibn Battaal, Kitab al-Libaas, Vol. 9, p. 140, published in Riyadh)

Regarding women who cut their hair in masculine styles, it is stated in Durr al-Mukhtar and Uqud al-Durriyyah (the wording is from the former):

“فیه (ای المجتبٰی) قطعت شعر راسھا اثمت ولعنت فی البزازیة ولو باذن الزوج، لأنه لإطاعة لمخلوق فی معصية الخالق، ولذا یحرم علی الرجل قطع لحيته، والمعنی الموثر التشبه بالرجال”

(Durr al-Mukhtar, Kitab al-Hazr wal Ibahah, Fasl fi al-Bay’, Vol. 9, pp. 670, 672, Matbua Quetta)

Shaykh al-Islam Wal-Muslimeen A’la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Rida Khan رحمه الله تعالى (d. 1340 AH) writes:

It is Haram (forbidden) for a woman to cut the hair on her head, and if she does so, she is accursed, because it is tashabbuh (imitation) of men.

(Fatawa Ridawiyyah, Vol. 24, p. 543, Raza Foundation, Lahore)

Answered by: Usman Madani (Ask Mufti Scholar)
Translation checked by: Muhamed Hamza Attari
Date: 20th June 2025.