Question:
If a person has nits in the hair, is this regarded as Sunnah because I heard that the Prophet (S.A.W.) also had nits in the hair and one of the wives was taking them out, could you please mention the Hadith with reference and also answer the question if it is Sunnah or not to have nits in the hair?
Answer:
Anas bin Maalik (R.A.) has narrated that: “Whenever Nabi (S.A.W.) used to go to Quba, he made it a habit to visit his foster aunt, Umme Hiraam. On one occasion she entertained Nabi (S.A.W.) with a meal and thereafter began removing the nits from the head of Nabi (S.A.W.).” (Abu Dawood, Chapter on Jihad, Page 337)
The fact that Nabi (S.A.W.) was having nits removed clearly indicates that it is not Sunnah to have nits in ones hair. Nits cause harm to a person and the Sunnah is such that no harm will be caused to oneself or to others when practiced upon, rather there is benefit in it.
Note: The lack of cleanliness was not the cause of nits; rather the hair of Nabi (S.A.W.) was thick and well oiled thus it used to attract nits and the climate in those regions is conducive to the spreading of nits.
And Allah Ta’ala knows best
Ebrahim bin Zainul Abedeen Backus
Attested to as correct by:
Mufti Muhammad Ashraf
Darul Iftaa
Jameah Mahmoodiyah
Springs
26 April 2004
05 Rabee’ul Awwal 1425