Is it Haram to Dye your Hair Black or Blonde? | Why Dying Your Hair Black is Haram?

If you are a Muslim and who is curious about the rulings in Islam on the dying of your hair, then this article is for you; this article will help you in answering all of your questions relating to this topic:

Is it haram to dye your hair?

Dying your hair is not haram in Islam. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) commanded the dying of hair to his companions. The Prophet (P.B.U.H) also used henna to dye his beard. But certain hair dye ingredients and colors are haram to use in the eyes of the scholars. Let’s look at these colors and ingredients and find out why they are haram to use.

Is Dying your hair black haram?

Dying your hair black is considered haram by the majority of Islamic scholars. The reason is that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) also instructed us to avoid using black dye in coloring the hair in the hadith.

On the day of Conquest of Mecca, Abu Quhafa (the father of Abu Bakr) was brought in front of the Prophet, according to Abir b. ‘Abdullah. His head and beard were as white as hyssop. After that, Allah’s Messenger (P.B.U.H) said: “Change it with something but avoid black“.

[Sahih Muslim • Book 37, Hadith 124 • Graded Authentic (Sahih)]

Some narrations are also found in which we are informed by the Prophet (P.B.U.H) about the people who will come at the end of the times. The Prophet described their attribute as dyeing their hair black, and they will not enter Paradise.

Here are some hadith of the Prophet (P.B.U.H) based on which the scholars consider haram to dye the hair black.

Ibn ‘Abbas related it to the Prophet (peace be upon him) and credited it to him:

“Some people will dye their hair black just like the breasts of pigeons at the end of time. But they will not even smell the fragrance of Paradise.”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i • Book 48, Hadith 36 • Sahih]

While some scholars don’t agree with the above interpretations. They present the following points in the debate on the understanding of these hadith:

The reports which permit the dying of the hair black are also present from the secondary sources; These sources state that Al-Hasan and Al-Husayn (may Allah be pleased with them both), who were the beloved grandsons of the Prophet (P.B.U.H), .also used black hair dye.

The first hadith mentioned above is more like a general dislike to refrain from the black hair dye rather than the prohibition. Because the Prophet (P.B.U.H) used wording like “avoid black” instead of “black is haram”.

According to these scholars, the latter hadith is a sign and not a prohibition. It is only the description of features of what these people would be known by and not that they wouldn’t enter Paradise because of dyeing their hair black.

It would be better to stay on the safe side of all the differences and “avoid black”, as the Prophet (P.B.U.H) commanded To avoid all the differences. You can use a very dark shade of brown hair dye,

Why Dying your hair black is haram?

Many scholars consider haram to dye hair black because it is prohibited by the Prophet (P.B.U.H). These scholars have understood that hair dying leads to deception, a major sin. However, there is nothing said by the Prophet (P.B.U.H) about why it is haram to dye your hair. The scholars devise this.

According to Abu Huraira’s narration, the Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“He who deceives is not of me (not my follower).”

[Sahih Muslim • Book 1, Hadith 190 • Sahih (Authentic)]

Although dying your hair black can be a form of deception in appearance. For example, an older man wants to seek a young bride for himself and dyes his hair from gray to black. This will make him very youthful in appearance.

The scholars say that the Prophet (P.B.U.H) made the hair dyeing prohibited to avoid the deception in the appearance.

There can be many scenarios where black hair dye can deceive someone of the person’s reality.

Cases when dying your hair is halal?

Some scholars say that black hair dye is permitted in some cases. Some of them are below:

To Adorn Yourself for your Spouse

Some scholars consider it not haram to use the black hair dye if it is used with the only intention to make your spouse happy. When a person beautifies themselves for their spouse, it will be a great act of reward.

But this is only allowed by a few Islamic scholars. Many of them still declare it haram. So to avoid the controversy, use a very heavy dark brown shade and prevent the use of black hair dye.

In the Army

Dyeing your hair black is made permissible by the scholars for the soldiers in the army because the black hair dye will make them look young and strike fear in the hearts of the other party. So it is also permissible to dye hair black for the soldiers.

Is Bleaching Hair Haram?

Scholars have different opinions regarding the bleaching of the hair. Some have only allowed women if they have the sole intention to make their husbands pleased. Make sure that the substance used in the bleach is also halal in Islam and should not contain any substances that are haram in Islam.

Conclusion

It is not haram in Islam to dye your hair. You can also use the natural color to dye your hair but avoid black so as not to get into controversial issues. You can do it by using colors similar to natural human hair-like, like blonde and brown etc. Hope you find this article helpful.