Can Women Cut Their Hair? Is hair cutting or styling allowed for women? Muhammad Shoaib Reply There is no positive or negative injunction in the Shari`ah regarding the cutting of hair by women. So the Shari`ah is silent on this issue. It is actually more of a matter, which is related to cultural norms and social customs of a society. It can vary from time to time and from society to society. However, there are two incidents, which show that cutting hair by women is not considered bad in religion. First of all women cut a part of their hair during Hajj as a ritual of Hajj . Secondly, it is known that Hadhrat Ayesha (ra) cut her hair short after the death of the Prophet (pbuh) in order to abstain from adornment. It is obvious from this incident that at that time cutting hair by women was considered as abandoning adornment or symbol of ugliness. In our times, it is considered as a sign of adornment. This is only a change in the custom or norms regarding this particular matter. The Shari`ah does not object to it, as customs and norms are dynamic concepts and not static ones. The only objection which Shari`ah can have in this regard is flaunting of the objects of adornment, and because in recent times short hair are considered an object of adornment, therefore, flaunting any object of adornment including such hair would be against Shari`ah . The only other objection, which can be raised on this issue, is that the hair style or the hair cut of a woman should not be such that makes her look like a man. Although the Shari`ah does not directly raise this objection but it emanates from the simple principle that a person should keep himself/herself on the nature on which Allah has created him/her. Therefore, a woman should look like a woman and a man should look like a man. It is because of this principle that the Prophet (pbuh) has condemned men who dress up like women and vice versa. I hope this explanation answers your question. You can always get back if you are still unclear. However, this is only my opinion in this regard and I admit any chance of mistake in forming this opinion. I would be open to other points of view if based on stronger reasons. May Allah guide us all towards the right path. Amar Ellahi Lone