Having a haircut

Q. My wife wants to have a haircut. Is it allowed in Islam? If, despite my objection, she goes ahead, what should I do according to the Shariah?

R. Every gender must keep its own characteristics. A woman should not identify with a man. She must keep her distinctive character. By getting her hair cut, she loses her femininity. It is therefore forbidden for a woman to cut her hair, just as it is forbidden for a man to shave his beard.

If, despite your disapproval, she goes ahead with getting a haircut, you should not take measures that can lead to much more harmful consequences than those caused by the haircut. Instead, we need to take a much more pacific approach. One way is to teach her.

I would like to thank all those who have been kind enough to send us their questions. And I would like to apologize to those who will not find the answers to their questions in this issue. They will certainly find them in our next issue Insha Allah. Mufti Raffick Meerun (Rahimahullah).

[English version of "Se couper les cheveux" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 3]