Question: 

My question is with reference to haircut styles.

Is there any style prohibited in Hadith?

Recently I met a Hafez whos hair was cut two lengths, I asked him he replied that the prohibition in the hadith only refer to shaving part and leaving part unshaved.

Kindly advise

Answer: 

In the Hadeeth Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam has prohibited from Qaza’.

Hazrat Ibn Umar Radhiallahu Anhu narrates that he heard Rasulullah Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam prohibiting from Qaza’.1

In another Hadeeth it is stated that once Rasulullah Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam saw a child whose hair was partially shaved and some was left out. Immediately, Rasulullah Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam prohibited this act and said that if the hair is shaved then all should be shaved and if you wish to leave it, then leave all the hair.2

As far as the meaning of Qaza is concerned, one may take into consideration the following;

Some of the Ulama Kiraam actually opine, contrary to common belief, that the Ahaadeeth forbidding Qaza’ refer to shaving as well as cutting the hair two lengths. Then we have other Ulama Kiraam who give a different reason for the prohibition of cutting two lengths and that is imitation of the non Muslims. Have a look at the Fataawaa of our Ulama, then it will be clear that people will still be required to abstain:

1. Hazrat Mufti Rashid Ahmed Ludhyaanwi Rahimahullah describes Qaza (which is clearly prohibited in the Hadeeth) in Ahsanul Fataawaa as: “To shave part of the hair and leave out the remaining or to trim some of the hair more and some of the hair less (i.e. trimming in two different lengths)”3

2. Hazrat Mufti Abdur-Raheem Laajpoori Rahimahullah writes in Fataawaa Raheemiyyah that trimming the hair in two different lengths as is the fashion and known as English hair (style of the west) is not in accordance to the teachings and Sunnah of Rasulullah Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Moreover, by doing so, one is imitating the Kuffar which is forbidden in Shar’iah. 

From the above mentioned Fataawaa, we learn that trimming the hair in two different lengths, thereby imitating the different so-called stars’ is unlawful. The same ruling will apply whether we regard trimming the hair in two different lengths to be Qaza or not. All the Ulama agree that cutting two lengths is impermissible.

One point that needs to be clarified too is that some people justify their action (trimming the hair in two different lengths) by saying that they don’t have an intention to imitate the disbelievers and therefore, it should be permissible! Hazrat Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi writes in Imdaadul Ahkaam that nowadays, people employ flimsy excuses to make things permissible; whereas, in reality, deep down in their hearts they are imitating the disbelievers. Hence, whether the intention of Tashabbuh is present or not, precaution would demand that a person does not imitate the disbelievers in any way as far as possible. In fact, we are commanded not to imitate the disbelievers.

Lastly, the best of examples for us is none other than our beloved Nabi Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Hafiz Ibn-e-Hajr Al- ‘Asqalaani writes that one of the reasons why Rasulullah Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam prohibited Qaza is that shaving the hair in that manner was the way and method of the Yahood (Jews).6 Keeping in mind the perfect example of our beloved Nabi Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam, when trimming the hair in two different lengths is the style and way of the disbelievers (pop stars and soccer stars etc.), a person should totally abstain from such hair styles whether he has the intention of imitating these so-called stars or not.

We make Dua to Allah Ta'aala to grant us the correct understanding of Deen and to grant us the ability to lead our lives according to the teachings of Rasulullah Rasulullah Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam. Ameen.

AND ALLAH TA'AALA ALONE IN HIS INFINITE KNOWLEDGE KNOWS BEST

ANSWERED BY: Muhammed Hamza Farooqui 

CHECKED AND APPROVED BY: Mufti Muhammed Saeed Motara Saheb D.B. 

Islamic Date:22 ليولاا يداجم 1441 

English Date: 18 January 2020

1 صحيح البخاري ) » سََِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللََِّّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَنْهَى عَنِ القَزَعِ « : عَنْ نََفِعٍ، مَوْلََ عَبْدِ اللََِّّ: أَنَّهُ سََِعَ ابْنَ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللََُّّ عَنْهُمَا يَقُولُ 5920 ( صحيح مسلم ) 2120 )

2 احلقوه كله، أو اتركوه « : عن نَفع، عن ابن عمر، أن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم: رأى صبيا قد حلق بعض شعره وترك بعضه، فنهاهم عن ذلك، وقال » كله سنن أبي داود ( 4195 )

3 قزع یعنی سر کے بعض حصے کے بال کو منڈنا اور بعض کو چھوڑنا یا بعض زیادہ تراشنا اور بعض کم)احسن الفتاوی 82:8 )

6واختلف في علة النهي فقيل لكونه يشوه الخلقة وقيل لأنه زي الشيطان وقيل لأنه زي اليهود)فتح الباري ش رح صحيح البخاري 365:10 دار المعرفة

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