Is Dying Your Hair Haram?

Muslim scholars have different opinions about whether dyeing your hair is haram or not. Most scholars consider dyeing your hair black to be haram. However, scholars have different views about whether natural dyes, semi-permanent dyes, and permanent dyes, are halal or not.

Additionally, scholars have different understandings regarding the permissibility of bleaching your hair and using alcoholic dyes.

In this article, we’ll explore the different viewpoints so you can make an informed decision about whether to dye your hair or not.

1- Is Dying Your Hair Considered Haram?

Islamic scholars unanimously agree that dyeing hair is permissible both for men and women, with some conditions. There are guidelines regarding which colors are permitted, and scholars have different opinions about which dyes are allowed. 

While there is no Quranic verse directly addressing hair dye, numerous ahadith address the matter.

Abu Hurayrah narrated that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:                      

“He who has hair should honor it.” 

narrated by Abu Hurayrah (source)

According to IslamWeb.net, this hadith indicates that Muslims should follow healthy hair practices. Therefore, practices such as combing, oiling, and dyeing premature grey hair are encouraged in Islam (source).

Scholars also reference the following hadith, narrated by Abu Huraira:

“Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) said, “The Jews and the Christians do not dye (their grey hair), so you shall do the opposite of what they do (i.e. dye your grey hair and beards).”

narrated by Abu Huraira (source) 

In this hadith, the Prophet (SAW) declares dyeing hair and beards to be permissible. Additionally, he (SAW) encourages Muslims to dye their grey hair to distinguish ourselves from Jews and Christians (source).

The following hadith mentions how Abu Bakr (RA) and Umar (RA) used natural dyes to color their hair. 

Thabit said that when Anas was questioned if the Prophet dyed his hair, he responded: “He did not dye his hair, but Abu Bakr and ‘Umar dyed their hair.” (source)

According to Islamic authority figures, the hadith indicates that dyeing your hair is permissible.

This is because Umar (RA) and Abu Bakr (RA) are trusted companions of the Holy Prophet (SAW), and if they would not have died their hair unless the Prophet (SAW) permitted it (source).

2- Is It Haram to Bleach Hair?

Muslim scholars have different opinions about the permissibility of bleaching hair. Some consider it permissible, while others believe it to be haram.

Scholars that consider bleaching hair haram refer to the narration by ‘Abdullah:

The Prophet (ﷺ) cursed the women who practice tattooing and those who seek to be tattooed, the women who remove hair from their faces seeking beautification by changing the creation of Allah (source).

The above hadith explicitly condemns any permanent change to the body for the purpose of beautification (learn more about whether tattoos for beautification is considered haram or halal). 

Some scholars consider bleaching your hair to be makruh.

This follows from their understanding that using any product that can cause harm, without a valid reason (such as a medical need), is makruh.

Thus, scholars reason that since bleach contains harmful chemicals, using it is also makruh (source).

Some scholars believe that bleaching your hair is acceptable, provided you:

• Use bleach made from pure ingredients
• Avoid makruh colors

If these conditions are met, some scholars consider bleaching your hair to be halal (source).

3- Is Semi Permanent Hair Dye Allowed in Islam?

Scholars generally agree that using semi-permanent hair dyes is permissible in Islam. 

Some scholars question the permissibility of hair dye based on whether it allows for valid ablution (wudhu) or not.

Most scholars agree that temporary dyes aren’t barriers, and they thus consider the ablution valid. (source)

However, certain hair dyes form a layer of coating on the hair instead of temporarily dyeing them. Since the coating layer prevents water from reaching the hair, scholars consider wudhu or ghusl invalidated.

And in any condition where the wudhu is invalid, the prayer will be regarded as invalid as well. Thus, scholars consider it haram to use such dyes. (source)

4- What Ingredients are Haram in Hair Dye?

Scholars generally consider alcoholic, genetically modified organisms, and substances derived from forbidden animals haram. Islamic laws also warn Muslims against consuming products that are exposed to haram ingredients while they are prepared, manufactured, or stored (source).

In western countries, especially, scholars encourage us to exclusively use halal-certified cosmetic products (like makeup and nail polish). Halal-certified cosmetic products are typically free from toxic chemicals, placenta, fats, gelatin from pig or bovines (if they aren’t slaughtered as per Islamic guidelines). (source)

Islamic authorities advise us against consuming internationally manufactured products, unless they are halal-certified, as they may contain used enzymes from haram animals or alcohol.  (source)

5- Is Alcohol in Hair Dye Haram?

Scholars have different opinions regarding whether or not alcohol in hair dye is haram.

All scholars unanimously agree that alcoholic beverages are haram to consume, but Islamic authorities have different opinions about alcoholic cosmetics.

Scholars that consider alcoholic hair-products haram argue that the alcohol is absorbed by the scalp and enters the bloodstream, and is thus haram (source).

Typically, ethyl alcohol is found in hair dyes, which is intoxicating and proven to damage your hair. However, ethyl alcohol is not used in direct consumption as it is poisonous and can be fatal. 

On the other hand, certain Islamic sources view the alcohol used in cosmetics as permissible as they believe it doesn’t act as an intoxicant (source).

 Ibn’ Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) said:

 “Every intoxicant is Khamr (wine) and every Khamr is unlawful.” (source)

Keeping in view the above hadith, the Fatwa Committee of the National Council for Malaysian Islamic Religious Affairs concluded that not all alcohol is Khamr. (source) 

6- Can You Color Your Hair During Ramadan?

Islamic scholars unanimously agree that coloring your hair while fasting or during the month of Ramadan has no impact on the fasts. 

Fasting is an act of abstinence; from eating, drinking, and sexual relations from dawn till dusk. Since the hair dye doesn’t contain any nutritional value, scholars state that using it doesn’t break your fast, nor does it violate other conditions of fasting during Ramadan (source).

Thus, coloring your hair during Ramadan is allowed depending on your views regarding dyeing your hair. The general opinion you carry applies during Ramadan as well. 

7- Is It Haram to Dye Your Hair Black with Henna?

Most scholars consider it haram to dye your hair black, regardless of whether a hair dye is used or a natural substance, such as henna, is used (source).

The scholars’ view against dyeing the hair black is supported by a Hadith reported by Jabir b. ‘Abdullah:

When Abu Quhafa (Abu Bakr’s father) was brought on the day of the Conquest of Mecca with his head and beard white like hyssop, the Prophet said, “Change this with something, but avoid black.” (source)

Most Islamic authorities forbid the use of pure black dye, including black henna. However, they permit the use of henna of any other color (source).

8 – Is Black Henna Halal for Hair

The general consensus amongst scholars is that black henna is not allowed and is not halal for hair.

This is because most scholars believe that the Prophet (SAW) forbade us from dyeing our hair black, regardless of the type of dye (source).

Scholars refer to the following hadith as a warning against dyeing our hair black, stating that it will cost us entry into Paradise:

It was narrated that Ibn’ Abbas, who attributed it to the Prophet (SAW), said:

Some people will dye their hair black like the breasts of pigeons at the end of time, but they will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.

(source)

As for henna of any color other than black, scholars unanimously agree that it’s not only permissible but preferred to dye your hair with it in Islam (source).

The opinion is supported by the following hadith:

The Prophet (SAW) said:

The best things with which you can change gray hair are Henna and Katam.  

(source)

9- Is it Haram For a Man to Dye Hair?

Islamic scholars unanimously agree that dyeing hair is permitted for men. However, the hair dye should comply with Islamic guidelines. For example, depending on the opinion you follow, some colors may be allowed while others are forbidden. 

Some scholars encourage men to dye their hair, especially using natural dyes, such as Henna and Katam. (source) This is because of their understanding based on the narration of Ibn’ Abbas, who said:

The Prophet (ﷺ) passed by a man who had dyed his hair with henna and said: ‘How handsome this is!’ Then he passed by another who had dyed his hair with henna and Katam, and said:

‘This one is more handsome than that one.’ Then he passed by another who had dyed his hair yellow and said: ‘This one is more handsome than all of them.’

(source)

Scholars also reference the hadith: 

Thabit told that when Anas was asked whether the Prophet dyed his hair he replied,

If I had wanted to count the hoary hairs which were on his head I could have done so,” adding that he did not dye his hair. In a version he added that Abu Bakr dyed his hair with henna and katam, and ‘Umar dyed it with henna alone.

(source)

Renowned Islamic authority figures cite these ahadith as evidence that it is halal for men to dye their hair (source).

10- Is Coloring Beard Halal or Haram in Islam?

Similar to the unanimous consensus on dyeing hair, scholars agree that coloring your beard is halal. 

Scholars reference ahadith narrated by Zayd ibn Aslam as evidence  for dyeing your beard in yellowish shades:

Ibn Umar used to dye his beard with yellow color so much so that his clothes were filled (dyed) with yellowness. He was asked: Why do you dye with yellow color? He replied:

I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) dyeing with yellow color, and nothing was dearer to him than it. He would dye all his clothes with it, even his turban.

(source)

11- Is It Haram to Dye Your Hair Black?

There is a difference of opinion amongst scholars about whether it is permissible to dye your hair pure black. 

Most scholars believe that the Prophet (SAW) condemned applying pure-black dye on more than one occasion. (source)

Scholars that hold this opinion reference many ahadith as evidence, including:

It was narrated that Ibn’ Abbas, who attributed it to the Prophet (SAW), said:

Some people will dye their hair black like the breasts of pigeons at the end of time, but they will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.

(source)

Another Hadith that supports the scholars’ viewpoint suggests using Henna and Katam for dyeing hair, which naturally gives a reddish-brown or yellowish color to the hair.     

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

The best things with which grey hair are changed are henna and katam.

(source)

However, some scholars have a contrasting opinion – they consider dyeing your hair black to be halal. This is because they believe the hadith about the fragrance of Paradise is misinterpreted by other scholars (source)

Some scholars believe that this hadith lists the black-dyed hair as just a trait of people who won’t enter Paradise, and that their hair color is not the reason. (source)

Similarly, according to various sources, the hadith ‘Change this (color) to something else, and avoid black,’ does not include the words’ and avoid black.’ Some scholars believe that the addition was made by one of the narrators. (source)

Despite scholars’ disagreement about this hadith, both sides still agree that dyeing your hair black is condemned because it may be deceiving. Scholars argue that dyeing your hair black to appear younger is deceiving. (source) 

12- Is It Haram to Dye Your Hair Blonde

Most Islamic scholars believe that it is halal to dye your hair blonde, because they only consider dyeing your hair black to be halal. 

Islam Q&A, an authority site, clarified that you could dye your hair any color (except for black) as long as you do not intend to imitate immoral women. (source)

Thus, dying your hair blonde is considered halal by most scholars in Islam (source).

However, when dyeing your hair blonde, you might also want to consider the Islamic opinions about bleaching your hair. This is because, if your natural hair color is dark, then you may need to bleach it before dying it blonde, and scholars have differing opinions about whether bleaching your hair is halal.

13- Is Permanent Hair Dye Halal?

Most scholars believe that using permanent hair dye is permissible in Islam, with some conditions. Scholars vary in their views about the conditions – e.g., some consider wearing alcoholic dye halal, while others don’t (source).

However, it’s advised to stay cautious of the nature of the dye, that is, whether it allows for water to permeate the scalp. Therefore, the substance should not invalidate the ablution. 

Scholars also advise muslims to be cautious about permanent dye, regarding whether it lets water permeate your scalp. If the dye forms a barrier, it may invalidate ablution (wudhu). (source)

Additionally, most scholars consider using black dye haram. (source)

As for all other hair dyes, they must contain pure ingredients and should be halal. Thus, it should be free of any impure substances, forbidden animal-derived components, etc. (source)