Hair Dye

By Moulana Imraan Vawda
Posted: 18 Zul-Hijjah 1422, 3 March 2002


Q.) Is it haram to dye our hair? And if so, what exactly makes it haram? [Ikebal M Patel]

A.) Pure black dye is not permissible. Rasulullah Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, "There will be people who will come later (in my Ummah) and apply black dye. They will not even smell the fragrance of paradise." (Abu Dawood). However, it is permissible for a Mujaahid (warrior) to apply black dye in order to give the impression of being young. (Jawahirul Fiqh vol 2 pg. 421)

To dye the hair any other color besides black e.g. Mehndi or Katm (type of grass) is permissible. This was the practice of Rasulullah Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam and the Sahaba, Radi-Allahu anhum. (Jawahirul Fiqh vol 2 pg 421). And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best.

CHECKED AND APPROVED: Mufti Muhammad Kadwa