FatwaFederal TerritoriesDress, Awrah & Adornment
IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE- 462 : BOLEHKAH WANITA BERIMEJ BOTAK ATAS ALASAN MEMBUANG PEWARNA KEKAL?
May a woman shave her head bald to remove permanent hair dye that invalidates her acts of worship?
Short answer
In principle, a woman is forbidden to shave her head bald or adopt a short hairstyle resembling men, based on hadith prohibitions and fatwa rulings.
A reference, not a fatwa. First sentence of the summary below — read the original fatwa and consult your state authority before acting.
- Authority
- Federal Territories Mufti Office
- Date
- Status
- Opinion (irsyad)
- Series
- Irsyad al-Hukum (Umum)
- Topic
- Dress, Awrah & Adornment
No evidence of gazettement in the source — this is not a gazetted fatwa.
Summary
In principle, a woman is forbidden to shave her head bald or adopt a short hairstyle resembling men, based on hadith prohibitions and fatwa rulings. An exception is made for necessity, such as a scalp disease or a doctor's recommendation. Permanent hair dye is prohibited because it blocks water from reaching the hair, which invalidates ablution and the obligatory bath. Shaving the head to remove the dye and make worship valid is permitted only as a last resort, after attempts to strip the colour with lawful substances have failed.
Written in our own words from the original fatwa — check the source before acting on it.
Muzakarah telah memutuskan bahawa Wanita dilarang membotakkan kepala kecuali untuk tujuan rawatan perubatan bagi mengatasi masalah atau penyakit yang tertentu;
Read the full fatwa on the Federal Territories website (new tab)
How to cite
Cite the original fatwa and its authority. Rujuk Fatwa is only where you found it.
Federal Territories Mufti Office. “IRSYAD HUKUM SIRI KE- 462 : BOLEHKAH WANITA BERIMEJ BOTAK ATAS ALASAN MEMBUANG PEWARNA KEKAL?”, 19 March 2020. https://muftiwp.gov.my/ms/artikel/irsyad-hukum/umum/4348-irsyad-al-fatwa-siri-ke-462-bolehkah-wanita-berimej-botak-atas-alasan-membuang-pewarna-kekal. Found via Rujuk Fatwa: https://rujukfatwa.com/en/fatwa/woman-shaving-head-remove-permanent-dye/