Is It Acceptable to Use Synthetic Bangs to Cover My Forehead?

Answered by Shaykh Muhammad Carr

Question

Would be acceptable for me to use synthetic bangs to cover my abnormal huge forehead when I get married or when I am with my family?

I have a prominent forehead, and my hairline is receding, causing my hair to thin noticeably. I’m unsure why this is happening. While contemplating marriage in the future, I’m concerned about my appearance, particularly the perceived lack of hair. Despite efforts to improve hair thickness through diet, my forehead remains a significant source of insecurity. Although a hair transplant is an option, the cost is prohibitive. Considering more affordable alternatives, I’m contemplating using synthetic bangs to conceal my forehead, which impacts my self-perceived attractiveness.

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.

Understand that Allah has created you, fashioned you flawlessly, and harmoniously balanced your being. Allah (Most High) says, “ He has created you, then formed you perfect, then balanced you out evenly. [Quran, 82,7] Another verse affirms, “Verily we have created Man in the fairest symmetry.” [Quran, 94,4]

I am confident that Allah has blessed you with metaphysical and physical attributes that bring delight to yourself, your family, and anyone fortunate enough to be connected to your sphere of existence.

The Shafi‘i scholars permit synthetic hair extensions. They also allow extensions with hair from animals that we are permitted to eat. [Ibn Hajar, Tuhfat al-Muhtaj]. This concession is, however, limited to a married lady with her husband’s consent. [Nawawi, Sahih Muslim] For a married lady, it is deemed beautification, and the element of deception is obsolete.

As you are currently unmarried, it is impermissible for you to use a hair bang.

The Hanafi Madhhab appears to allow extensions and wigs; provided that there is no intent to deceive [Shabir Ahmad Usmani, Fath al-Mun‘im]. You may adopt this view.

Remember that when viewing a potential spouse, you must mention anything of material significance that may impact his interest in you.

Proof

Asma bint Abi Bakr recounts, “A woman approached the Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) and said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, my daughter, a bride-to-be, has contracted rubeola, causing her hair to fall out. Can I use extensions for her hair?’ The Prophet (Allah bless him and grant him peace) responded, ‘Allah curses the woman who combines her (or another’s) hair with someone else’s, as well as the one who requests it.'” [Ibid]

The fundamental meaning in the Arabic language of the phrase ‘Allah curses’ is to be distanced and far from the mercy of Allah. Scholars conclude that the reason Allah curses such women is because they are all assisting each other in trying to change the way Allah created them, which is sinful.

You are Beautiful

In truth, Allah fashioned our forms in the best manner, and He made each of us beautiful in different ways. It proves pointless to alter our outer forms after knowing that Allah willed us to look the way we do out of His supreme and divine wisdom.

Our scholars believe a woman is categorically more beautiful than the full moon. We are reminded of this fact whenever we look into the mirror with the eyes of our hearts and recite the prophetic invocation,

“O Allah, You have beautified my external, so beautify my internal.”

May Allah beautify our internal and external.

[Shaykh] Muhammad Carr

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Muhammad Carr has dedicated his life to studying and transmitting our beautiful deen. His studies have taken him around the globe, where he has benefitted from many luminaries. Under the guidance of his teachers – Shaykh Taha Karan, Shaykh Yaseen Abbas, Shaykh Muadh Ali and many others – Shaykh Muhammad has grown to appreciate the beauty and benefits of diverse scholarship. He completed his memorization of the Qur’an at Dar al-Ulum Zakariyyah in September 1997 and received an Alimiyya Degree in 2006 from DUAI (Darul Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah). He is also affiliated with Masjid Auwal in Bo Kaap, Cape Town (the oldest mosque in South Africa), where he serves as a co-imam, and Dar Al-Safa, where he has taught since 2018. As a teacher, he imparts the wisdom of our heritage and tradition by opening the door for students. As an imam, he has the unique opportunity to serve his community in daily life.

In addition to his roles as a teacher and imam, Shaykh Muhammad Carr has contributed significantly to the administrative and advisory aspects of Islamic institutions. Since 2023, he has served as the Administrative Director at The Imam Kurani Institute, contributing to the institution’s growth and development. He continues to pursue traditional Islamic Sciences, possessing a keen interest in Islamic Contract Law and Finance. Shaykh Muhammad has been a Shari’ah Board Member for Islamic Asset Management & Insurance Companies since 2001, aligning financial practices with Islamic principles.