Ramadan fasting is the core worship of Ramadan that is full of privileges. Fasting is meant as an activity to refrain from cases that can void fasting such as eating, drinking, having sex with wives, and other things. Fasting is also a facility to get closer to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala and improve our morals today and in the future. The obligation of fasting is mentioned in Quran verse 183 which reads :
يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا كُتِبَ عَلَيْكُمُ الصِّيَامُ كَمَا كُتِبَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ مِنْ قَبْلِكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَتَّقُونَ
“O you who have believed, decreed upon you is fasting as it was decreed upon those before you that you may become righteous” (Q.S. Al-Baqarah : 183)
As for the law of Ramadan fasting is obligatory and it is different with another sunnah fasting. Nevertheless, there are some groups that are allowed to break their fast or not doing Ramadan fasting but they still have obligations to replace it or qada the fast in another day. As it is mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah ver 184 which reads :
أَيَّامًا مَعْدُودَاتٍ ۚ فَمَنْ كَانَ مِنْكُمْ مَرِيضًا أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ فَعِدَّةٌ مِنْ أَيَّامٍ أُخَرَ ۚ وَعَلَى الَّذِينَ يُطِيقُونَهُ فِدْيَةٌ طَعَامُ مِسْكِينٍ ۖ فَمَنْ تَطَوَّعَ خَيْرًا فَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَهُ ۚ وَأَنْ تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَكُمْ ۖ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تَعْلَمُونَ
“[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are not to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.” (Q.S. Al-Baqarah : 184)
When fasting we are recommended to do worships and stay away from makruh things or as much as possible avoid them. Based on the opinion of some groups, when fasting we are not allowed to shampoo or wash hair. Is it right? For more details, let see the following explanation.
See also :
Law of Washing Hair During Fasting
If some people think that we should avoid or stay away a case that can reduce the reward of fasting such as a packing and brushing teeth, then that opinion may be refuted because there is no clear dalil that forbids someone to wash and brush teeth during fasting.
Of course, if both are done in a manner and provision according to sharia. Just like brushing teeth during fasting, washing hair is allowed or the law of washing hair during fasting is mubah. Some dalil that support the law of washing hair during fasting are
- The Messenger of Allah shallallahu ‘alaihi wa sallam flushed his hair during fasting
لَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ بِالْعَرْجِ يَصُبُّ عَلَى رَأْسِهِ الْمَاءَ، وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ مِنَ الْعَطَشِ، أَوْ مِنَ الْحَرِّ
“Indeed, I saw that Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam in ‘Araj flushed water on his head while he was fasting., because of the thirst and the heat of the weather.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud, Ahmad and Al-Bayhaqi)
That hadith describes clearly that the Messenger of Allah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam took a bath at noon and cooled his head with flushing water.
- The Messenger of Allah took a junub bath at dawn
أن النبي – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – كان يصبح جنباً، ثم يغتسل، ثم يصوم
From ‘Aisha r.a., it is mentioned that
“Rasulullah Shallallahu ‘Alaihi wa Sallam when Subuh time was still in junub state, then he took a bath and then (continued) fasting.” (Narrated by Bukhari Muslim)
Based on that hadith, then a fasting person is allowed to take a bath, soak in water, dive and flush water to his head in the bath or bathroom. There is no disagreements about this matter. [AdSense-B]
- Ibn Umar cooled his head during fasting
وكان ابْنُ عُمَرَ -رضى الله عنهما- بَلَّ ثَوْبًا ، فَأَلْقَاهُ عَلَيْهِ، وَهُوَ صَائِمٌ
“Ibn Umar radliallahu ‘anhuma has wet his clothes and he put it on his head when he was fasting.”
It is narrated by Bukhari that Ibn Umar put a damp cloth on his head when he was fasting with purpose to cooled his head that felt so hot. Cooling head like this is as same as cooling head with flushing it with water or taking a bath.
- The Opinion of Imam Al-‘Imrani in the Book of Al-Bayan
In the Book of Al-Bayan, Imam al Imrani argued that a fasting person may flush water over his head, soak and dive in water as long as that water does not enter to his throat. This thing is based on a hadith from‘Aisha r.a which mentions that the Messenger of Allah saw took a junub bath at dawn and continued fasting as usual.
Based on those dalil, then Law of Washing Hair During Ramadan Fasting is allowed or mubah. Someone can wash in the morning or at noon but of course it must notice the provisions. As Muslims, we are not allowed to forbid anything which according to Islamic law, it is not allowed and otherwise we may not allow cases that are forbidden in religion.
The Provisions of Washing Hair During Fasting
When fasting, we always feel uncomfortable especially when the water is hot. Because of that, we are allowed to take a bath and wash hair during fasting.
The law of washing hair during fasting is allowed, even it is recommended if we want to clean ourselves before doing worships such as Fardh prayers or other worships for the worship that is done more calm and comfortable. As for the provisions of washing hair during fasting, they are: [AdSense-C]
- Washing hair can be done any times during fasting but do it carefully and slowly, so there is no water that enter to the mouth or the hole in the other parts of body.
- If you still doubt to wash your hair during fasting, it is better to delay it until the time of break fast come or after the night. If it is needed, you can take a bath and wash your hair between the time of maghrib prayer and isya prayer and before doing Tarawih prayer.
- When washing hair especially at noon, you should avoid things that can break the fast and do not intentionally enter the water through the mouth or other body holes because it can void the fasting.
Thus the law and provisions of washing hair during fasting that can be known. If we feel uncomfortable during fasting because our scalp itch or feel hot, then do not hesitate to take a bath and clean yourself. (see also cleanliness in Islam) After taking a bath and washing hair, your body will feel fresh again. Besides that, we should do other worships during Ramadan fasting such as reciting Quran, dhikr and dua to Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala. May be useful. Thank you.
See also :
- How to make Ramadan fasting easier for beginner
- Tips Ramadan fasting for pregnant women
- Tips Ramadan fasting for patients with ulcer
- Tips Ramadan fasting for breastfeeding mom