Ruling on braids and cornrow hairstyle

9-10-2014 | IslamWeb

Question:

What is the ruling on braids and corn rolls?
Answer:

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) is His slave and messenger.

It is permissible to braid the hair in any manner to beautify oneself provided it does not involve imitation of non-Muslims or people of poor morals or imitation of men by women or vice-versa.

However, if this is done in a way that involves any of the above-mentioned forms of imitation [imitating non-Muslims, unscrupulous people, men imitating women or vice-versa] then it is not permissible. Ibn ‘Abbaas may Allaah be pleased with him related that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Allaah has cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men." [Al-Bukhari]

Moreover, Ibn ‘Umar related that the Prophet sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam ( may Allaah exalt his mention ) said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” [Abu Daawood]

It should be noted that imitating non-Muslims occurs only when one imitates them in matters that are particular to them to the exclusion of anyone else. For more benefit, please refer to Fataawa 91974 and 119486.

Based on that, if this kind of braiding is particular to non-Muslims, then it is not permissible; otherwise, there is nothing to forbid it.

Allaah Knows best.

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