What Is the Shafi’i Ruling on Women Cutting or Shaving Their Hair?
Shafi'i Fiqh
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
What is the ruling in the Shafi‘i school on women shaving or cutting their hair? Is it permissible, and are there any disliked aspects or conditions?
Answer
In the Shafi‘i school of Islamic jurisprudence, the rulings regarding women shaving or cutting their hair are as follows:
Shaving the Head
It is generally considered disliked (makruh) for women to shave their heads. This view is supported by scholars such as Imam al-Nawawi and Ibn Hajar al-Haytami. However, it is permissible, especially in contexts like pilgrimage (Hajj or ‘Umrah), where women are required to shorten their hair but not shave it. Shaykh Amjad Rasheed, translated by Hamza Karamali, mentions that while it is unconditionally permissible for a woman to shave her hair, it remains disliked. [IslamQA]
Cutting the Hair
Women are permitted to cut their hair, provided certain conditions are met:
Avoiding Imitation of Men or Non-Muslims
The haircut should not resemble styles that are uniquely characteristic of men or those associated with non-Muslim customs. This is to prevent imitation, which is discouraged in Islamic teachings. [Tahakaraan]
Husband’s Consent
For married women, it is recommended to seek their husband’s approval before cutting their hair, especially if the change is significant. This consideration is based on marital harmony and mutual respect. [Tahakaraan]
Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him) elaborates that cutting the hair is permissible as long as it does not lead to imitation of men or non-Muslims and, for married women, does not go against the husband’s wishes. [Tahakaraan]
In summary, while shaving the head is permissible for women within the Shafi’i School, it is generally disliked. Cutting the hair is allowed, provided it avoids imitating men or non-Muslims and, for married women, aligns with the husband’s consent.
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Mohammad Abu Bakr Badhib
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar Shaykh Taha Karaan (Allah have mercy on him), where he taught.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Shaykh Muhammad Awama, Shaykh Muhammad Hasan Hitu, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has been the Director of the Discover Islam Centre, and for six years, he has been the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has fifteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic podcast, education, and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy Prophetic living and fitness.
