Women's Hair Length (further details)

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 24 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1424, 26 May 2003


Q.) I have read the material on Women's hair length that is on the site, but I have some further questions on the same topic.

I've never come across a source that clearly identifies guidelines for the hair length of a female's hair.

All I've heard is fatwa chatter saying women's hair should be shoulder length to maintain the identity that she actually is a female. Then on the other hand you have men who grow their hair long because its "sunnat". Wait a second . . . doesn't that blur the line of differentiation between a man and a woman? Does he not look more like a female?

Women who naturally have short hair, what of them? Or those who have to keep short hair for a particular reason even if it is fashion?

The identity of a woman can be preserved through many features and that's not only the length of the hair.

Why is there a restriction on it but never any clear cut guideline? Please elaborate on this topic


A.) Firstly, we would like to clarify that there is no Fatawa stating that 'women's hair should be shoulder length to maintain the identity.'

The Fatwa is that a woman should let her hair grow naturally long even way below the shoulder line and is only allowed to trim the bottom to even out the split ends or to enhance the growth. This trimming does not exceed more than a few inches.

Hence, it is in no way permissible for a woman to shorten her hair up to shoulder length. A woman who has naturally short hair is obviously exempted. As for men, it has been established through the Hadith of Rasulullah Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam that he used to, at times, have hair which reached up to his shoulders. There is a clear distinction between males and females. And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best