Answered by Sidi Salman Younas
I read some statements indicating that Moslems are discouraged from adopting hairstyles in imitation of the disbelievers; what hairstyles then are in contrast said to be Islamic? If we could know as well some more of the fiqh and sunnah of keeping and maintaining the hair, particularly as regards length, styling, oiling, braiding or combing. For instance, I have read that the our Master Mohammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his family and folk) oiled his hair once a week — for Jummah I assume — but also encouraged one of the companions to honour his hair, and because of this that companion was known to oil his hair daily.
salamu `alaykum wa rahmatullah
I pray you are well and in the best of health.
[1] Imitation of non-Muslims comes into effect in one of two ways:
(a) One performs an action with the resolve to be like the non-Muslims, or
(b) One performs an action that is directly linked to their religion or is uniquely from among their signs.
Therefore, to keep a hairstyle with the intention of being like the non-Muslims, or a hairstyle which is uniquely a distinguishing feature of them – such that an onlooker would consider you from among them – is impermissible.
However, to keep a hairstyle that is general and widespread, without it falling into “imitation”, is not interdicted.
It should also be noted that imitation of the corrupt is also impermissible in the shari`ah. There are numerous hairstyles prevalent today that are primarily seen as part of a specific culture: rock, goth, pop, celebrity, and so forth. One should be very wary of imitating such individuals or groups.
[2] Our beloved Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) wore his noble hair in a number of ways.
In terms of length: He (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is reported to have had hair from “more than a shoulder length” to “just above the earlobes” as narrated by `A’isha (Allah be well pleased) from Tirmidhi – in a sound narration. It is further narrated by Abu Dawud from Bara’ that, “I have never seen someone look more handsome with head and shoulder hair than the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace).” Muhammad ibn Sulayman added that the Prophet’s (Allah bless him and grant him peace) hair “hit his shoulder”. Shu`ba mentioned that they “reached his earlobes.” Similar, it is mentioned in Sahih Muslim that, “His hair was neither very curly nor very straight, and they hung over his shoulders and earlobes.” Anas narrates, in Bukhari, that it “used to hang down to his shoulders” and in another version “between them”.
It is established that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) praised both long and short hair. It is narrated by Bukhari in his Sahih that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) described Sayyidina `Isa’s (Allah bless him) hair as being the “best of its kind” and from “the most beautiful head and shoulder hair”. In another narration, Sayyidina `Isa’s (Allah bless him) hair was described as “long that it fell between his shoulders” and, in the narration of Muslim, such that his locks “were falling on his shoulders.”
In other narrations, the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) is reported to have shunned long hair in preference for shorter hair. Abu Dawud narrates in his Sunan that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) described short hair as “better” than long hair, after the companion Wa’il ibn Hujr had clipped his hair from its length. However, this superiority has been explained from the view point of (a) precluding show one one’s part and (b) conforming to the custom (`urf) prevalent at that specific time.
Imam Nawawi states, quoting Qadhi `Iyad, that the length of the Prophet’s (Allah bless him and grant him peace) hair, therefore, differed at different times. The shortest length established is just above the earlobe whereas the longest is till the shoulders. This is, of course, not including the shaving of the head by the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) during the ritual pilgrimage.
Thus, it remains a sunna to both keep short and long hair.
In terms of style: Our beloved Messenger (Allah bless him and grant him peace) wore his hair in a number of styles. Sayyida `A’isha (May Allah be pleased with her) narrates, “When I parted the hair of the Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and grant him peace) I made a parting from the crow of his head and let his forelock hang between his eyes.” (Abu Dawud, Ahmad)
He (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) also let his hair hang freely, known as sadala. Ibn `Abbas narrates in the Sahihayn that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) would let his hair hang freely initially and then began parting it.
It is narrated from Umm Hani, by Abu Dawud, that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) also wore his hair in four plaits.
Oiling & Combing: The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) stated that, “Whoever has hair should honor it.” (Abu Dawud) Similarly, Imam Malik narrates in his Muwatta that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) ordered an individual with disheveled hair to comb it. Combing, oiling, and other acts of cleanliness all come under the general command of cleanliness that the shari`ah has put forth.
It is established through multiple narrations that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) would oil his hair “frequently” – as narrated by Bayhaqi, Tabarani, Ibn al Jawzi, and others.
At the same time, he disliked excessively oiling and combing the hair. It is narrated by Abu Dawud that the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) commanded people to comb the hair every other day. However, this is only to preclude excess otherwise one should comb and oil his hair whenever the need to do so arises. This is the middle and balanced way.
The books of Shama’il detail all of this abundantly.
And Allah Knows Best
Wasalam
Salman Younas
Approved by Faraz Rabbani