Are Muslims allowed to fade their hair?

Message: Assalaamu Alaikum,

I was recently asked if Muslim men are allowed to fade their hair. So I wanted to know to if it is permissible. If not I would like to know why? Jazakallah in advance.

Wa Alaikum Assalaam,

الجواب و بالله التوفيق

A fade haircut is a style where hair on the sides of the head is cut off or kept very short while on the top of the head, the hair is kept longer. There are different styles of fade, but one thing which is common in all fade styles is that hairs on the head are not equal on all sides. These styles are not permissible for Muslim men since they are against the teachings of the Prophet ﷺ which he gave regarding the head. In this regard, it is narrated from Abdullah Bin Umar (R.A) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ strictly prohibited one from Qaz’a. (Bukhari, Muslim).

Qaz’a means to remove or shorten some parts of the hair on the head and leave other parts long. Qaz’a takes different forms, such as:

  1. Hairs from different sides of the head are shaved or cut short, while on other parts of the head hair remains.
  2. To shave or cut-short the middle of the head, while hairs on the four sides of the head are left alone or are kept long.
  3. Hairs on the four sides of the head are shaved or cut-short, and the top is left alone or kept long.
  4. Hairs on the front of the head are shaved or cut-short, and those at the back of the head are left alone or kept longer.

All the above are totally prohibited in Islam based on the tradition of the Prophet ﷺ. In the matter of keeping hair on the head, the Prophet ﷺ has instructed that it should be kept equal on all sides of the head. Some must not be short while others are long. Neither should some be shaved while others are left. (Tarbiyah Al Awlaad – Dr. Habeebullah – Vol.1, Pgs. 91-92 – Dar At Tasneef, Karachi).

And Allah Knows Best.

Mufti Waseem Khan.

21/1/2016.