Is it allowed to coloring hair in islam ?

A part of Moslem really like to coloring their hair. They want to look more interesting and appealing. But some of them do that to cover their white hair or gray hair.  So, is it allowed to coloring hair in Islam? In Al-Qur’an, it is not explained specifically about the law of coloring hair. Because Al-Qur’an is the main source of Islamic that explains about universal things.

But, we are as Moslem have al-Hadiths and as-Sunnah as our handle. In hadith is explained about the law of coloring hair to cover gray. In the hadith, Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

غَيِّرُوا هَذَا بِشَيْءٍ وَاجْتَنِبُوا السَّوَادَ

“Change this gray with something, but avoid black color.” (Narrated by Muslim)

So, what colors that are allowed to coloring our hair? Of course, all colors like brown, yellow, red, and many more are allowed, as long as it is not black. But, we should remember that we do that because we want to cover our gray hair, not to follow the style or expose ourselves to others.

If we don’t have gray hair but we have the intention to coloring our hair, we are allowed to do that. Why? Because there is no prohibition in Sharia, both Al-Qur’an or al-Hadith that forbid the hair coloring to other colors except black.

In the rule of Fiqh, the law of everything that is not forbidden in Al-Qur’an and AS-Sunnah is halal and mubah. But If we look it from its benefits and advantages, coloring hair to follow trends has many bad impacts. So, it is better for us to avoid it. Except, if you had married and you want to coloring your hair to make your partner happy, it is allowed.

In this matter, it depends on the intention. If our intentions are good and as long as it is not black, then it is allowed.

See also :

• The law of cutting hair while pregnant
• Law of cutting hair while fasting in Islam
• Law of washing hair during Ramadan fasting

We will discuss it more specifically about coloring hair below. So, is it allowed to coloring hair in Islam? Check it out

1. The law of coloring hair with black

The law of coloring hair with black is not allowed. Moreover if the intention to do a trick is very forbidden in Islam. If you have gray hair, then you must not color your hair with black. But some Ulama said that coloring hair with black is allowed, as long as the aim is jihad.

Besides that, if the aim is not a trick, based on madzhab Hanafi and Maliki, its law is makruh. Some of madzhab Syafi’i are forbidden and some of them are allowed. Based of Yusuf Qardhawi, some Ulama (non-madzhab) also said that the law of coloring hair with black is allowed. [AdSense-B]

The prohibition of coloring hair with black is decanted in a hadith. Jabir radhiyallahu ‘anhu said in the day of Mecca’s conquest, Abu Quhafah came with beard and gray in his hair. Then Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

غَيِّرُوا هَذَا بِشَيْءٍ وَاجْتَنِبُوا السَّوَادَ

“Change this gray with something, but avoid black color.” (Narrated by Muslim)

From that hadith, it is very clear that Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam allowed too coloring hair as long as it is not black. Then the big Ulama of Syafi’iyah explained that the recommended color to coloring gray are hamroh (red), shofroh (yellow) and it is haram to use black.

But there are some Ulama said that the law is makruh tanzih. As a good Moslem, we should follow our Prophet Muhammad Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam. So, we should avoid black. For more information, there is a threat for those who coloring hair with black. That threat is

يَكُونُ قَوْمٌ يَخْضِبُونَ فِي آخِرِ الزَّمَانِ بِالسَّوَادِ كَحَوَاصِلِ الْحَمَامِ لَا يَرِيحُونَ رَائِحَةَ الْجَنَّةِ

“In the end of the times will appear people who polish with black like pigeon’s gizzard. They will not smell the Heaven.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud, An Nasa’i, Ibn Hibban in his shaheeh and Al Hakim)

The hadith explained that people who color their hair with black will not enter the Heaven. So, coloring hair with black is a big sin. While if you want to color your hair, you should use henna.

The use of synthetic dye is also allowed, as long as it is not black and it can absorb to the hair. Because if it cannot absorb to the hair, then the water cannot enter to the scalp. So, your wudu will be invalid. Wallahu ‘alam.

See also :

• Law of cutting hair during menstruation in Islam
• Is it important to remove pubic hair in Islam

[AdSense-C]

2. The law of coloring hair with colors except black

The law of coloring hair with colors except black is allowed. Madzhab Hanafi, Maliki, Syafi’i and Hambali agree about this. They allow us to color our hair with colors except black, such as brown or red. But we should us henna to do it. Even, madzhab Syafi’i said that it is sunnah if you want to color your gray with red or yellow.

One day, someone asked to Syaikh Muhammad bin Sholeh  Al Utsaimin, is it allowed if a woman color her black hair to others such as red?

Then Syaikh Muhammad bin Sholeh Al Utsaimin answered that coloring hair except black was built based on an important method. That method include the law as long as it is halal and mubah. That original kaedah must be noted. There are three types that must be noted. First, the color that is commanded is the color from henna, besides that it is forbidden to use black and the last, the color that is not mentioned haram, then the law is halal. So that, the law of coloring har for women except black is allowed.

The law becomes haram if someone color her hair with an aim to imitate unbelievers. That matter is tasyabbuh and the law of tasyabbuh with unbelievers is haram. Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said

مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ

“Whoever imitate a people, then he is a part of them.” (Narrated by Ahmad and Abu Dawud. Syaikhul Islam in Iqtidho’ [1/269])

Based on Syaikh Sholeh bin Fauzan bin ‘Abdillah Al Fauzan, he said that coloring hair that have not had gray is not allowed. In his opinion, black hair is a beauty from Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala and it is not a shame. Because of that, coloring hair is said tasyabbuh.

From those two opinions, we can conclude that the law of coloring hair is allowed if we have had gray. And if we still have not had gray, we should avoid coloring our hair. Because coloring hair with other colors can be tasyabbuh action. Wallahu’allam.