Law of Using High Heels for Woman in Islam – Haram or Not?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad (peace be upon him), is His slave and Messenger.

Every women in the world, including Muslim women want to look pretty. They often do all kind of things to appear so, one of them is wearing high heels. High heels is undeniably make women look prettier and more interesting in some way. But have Muslim women ever thought of the law of using high heels for women in Islam?

There is no explicit Quran verses or hadith that prohibit or allow women to use heels, but there are indeed some that indicate the effect of wearing high heels. Here are the further explanation regarding the law.

1. High Heels Shows Women’s Adornment

When a woman is wearing high heels, she appears taller and her body looks more prominent. It’s considered as indecent act in Islam, since a woman shows her adornment that way. A woman’s adornment is strictly forbidden to be shown to others. According to a verse in Quran where Allah SWT had said,

“… and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent (like both eyes for necessity to see the way, or outer palms of hands or one eye or dress like veil, gloves, headcover, apron), and to draw their veils all over Juyoobihinna (i.e. their bodies, faces, necks and bosoms) and not to reveal their adornment except to their husbands, or their fathers, or their husband’s fathers, or their sons, or their husband’s sons, or their brothers or their brother’s sons, or their sister’s sons, or their (Muslim) women (i.e. their sisters in Islam).” (24:31)

2. It’s Dangerous for Woman

“…and do not throw yourselves into destruction.” (2:195)

Our body is one of the greatest blessing from Allah SWT that we must take care of. Islam doesn’t recommend women to wear high heels due to the danger they may face. There are higher risk of falling, tripping, or stumbling if women wear high heels. As it may risking the life of women, so they better not wearing high heels instead. Also read Importance of Veil in Islam

“And do not kill yourselves.” (4:29)

3. It Makes Woman Far from Heaven

When a woman wears high heels, her body leaned forward to support the weight. In Islam, the positioned was called maa’ilah ila al-amaam. In one hadith, it was mentioned that a woman who walks with an enticing gait would never smell the fragrance of Jannah even from far away. It’s surely become a huge disadvantage for women.

4. High Heels is Not Good for Health

Another reasons that makes high heels is better not to be worn is the health issue it may cause. Wearing high heels, especially for a long period of time is not good for the body. The back may suffer from the long term use of high heels. Also read Benefits of Walking in Islam

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5. High Heels MayAttract Men

Attracting a man is haram to be done by a woman in Islam. However, wearing high heels may arising some temptation in a man due to the sound it makes. There are a reference from the Holy Quran to women who is stomping on her feet to attract a man.

“And let them not stomp their feet to make known their adornment which has been concealed.” (24:31)

6. Wearing High Heels is Makrooh

There is indeed no explicit law of using high heels for woman in Islam. Some says it haram, some says it’s makrooh. High heels become makrooh due to the deceive it causes. Women appear taller in high heels while they are actually not. Also read How to Gain Beauty in Islam

7. High Heels is Against Islam’s Custom

Islam has its own way of dressing for both men and women. High heels is not included, therefore Muslim women shouldn’t adapt the style. High heels causes so many attraction, whereas a Muslim woman should avoid attracting attention as much as possible. Also read Rules of Dressing in Islam

There was a story about the daughter of Shuayb (peace be upon him) who later married to Prophet Musa (peace be upon him). Allah said about her,

“She came walking with modesty.” (28:25)

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8. It May Cause Jealousy

There are wisdom behind the suggestion for Muslim women not to wear high heels. As it attracts too much attention from others, high heels may cause jealousy and envy. By not wearing it, women also avoid those two thing that may cause harm to themselves. Also read How to Get Rid Yourself of Jealousy in Islam

Conditions on Wearing High Heels

It’s hard to say that wearing high heels is completely prohibited since there are no explicit law that says so. But under certain conditions, such as working or body handicap, a woman must wear high heels. If it’s so, here are the condition for women to wear high heels:

• The high heels should not make any noise in order to avoid attraction from men and other person.
• While wearing the high heeled shoes, a woman does not imitate a disbeliever and immoral people.
• A woman must wear dress that is long enough to cover the high heels completely. So that another person cannot see that she is wearing a high heels to avoid negative things that may come.
• The high heels that is worn by a woman should not cause any damage or harm to her. Hurting oneself is a highly prohibited action in Islam.

As there is no explicit law of using high heels for woman in Islam, nobody can decide whether it’s haram or not. But judging from the explanation above, there are some conditions that make high heels haram, but some condition also make high heels allowable to be worn by a Muslims woman.

But Muslims better stay away from doubtful matters. Only Allah SWT knows best.