QUESTION:
What do the scholars of the Dīn and muftīs of the Sacred Law state regarding the following issue: I live in Nigeria and wish to ask whether men are allowed to dye their hair black. Has this been prohibited in Hadīth, and which colours can men dye their head hair and beard?
Questioner: Abu Bakr from Nigeria
ANSWER:
بسم اللہ الرحمن الرحیم
الجواب بعون الملک الوھاب اللھم ھدایۃ الحق والصواب
It is not permissible for men to apply black coloured dye on their head hair or beard for that matter; dying the hair black and using black dye has been prohibited in Hadīths. Just as it is narrated by Sayyidunā Jābir, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the Noble Prophet ﷺ saw Sayyidunā Abū Bakr Siddīq’s, may Allāh be pleased with him, father – Abū Qahāfah – with a white beard and said,
“غَیِّرُوا ھذا بشیٍ واجْتَنِبُوْا السوادَ”
“Change it with something (i.e. red henna) and avoid black.”
[Sahīh Muslim, pg 1164, Hadīth no 2102]
Furthermore, the Respected Messenger of Allāh ﷺ stated,
“اِنَّ اللّٰہَ تعالٰی لَا یَنظُرُ الی مَنْ یَخْضُبُ بالسوادِ”
“Without doubt, Allāh Almighty does not mercifully look towards the person who applies black dye on his hair.”
[Kanz al-‘Ummāl, vol 6, pg 671]
It has also been mentioned in Hadīth that the Noble Prophet ﷺ has stated,
مَنْ خَضَّبَ بِالسَّوَادِ سَوَّدَ اللہُ وَجْھَہ، یَوْمَ الْقِیٰمَۃِ
“Whosoever dyes his hair black, Allāh Almighty will darken his face on the Day of Judgement.”
[Majma’ al-Zawā’id, vol 5, pg 293, Hadīth no 8814]
In addition, the Noble Prophet ﷺ has also stated,
“اَلصُّفْرۃُ خِضَابُ الْمُؤْمِنِ وَ الْحُمْرَۃُ خِضَابُ الْمُسْلِمِ وَ السَّوَادُ خِضَابُ الْکَافِر”
“Yellow dye is for believers, red dye is for Muslims and black dye is for non-Muslims.”
[Majma’ al-Zawā’id, vol 5, pg 293, Hadīth no 8815]
It is narrated by Sayyidunā ‘Abdullāh Ibn ‘Umar, may Allāh be pleased with him, that the Master of mankind, the Intercessor of the Day of Judgement, the Noble Prophet ﷺ stated,
“الصفرۃُ خضابُ المومنِ الحمرۃُ خضابُ المسلمِ والسوادُ خضابُ الکافرِ”
“Believers use yellow dye, Muslims use red dye and non-Muslims use black dye.”
[al-Mustadrak li al-Hākim, vol 3, pg 526]
From this blessed Hadīth, one comes to know that yellow and red hair dyes are allowed. Whereas, black is prohibited, just as Sayyidī Āla Hazrat Imām Ahmad Razā Khān, upon whom be infinite mercies, states that, black dye – regardless of whether from a mix of indigo [leaves] and henna, or something else – is generally harām [unlawful] except for those who go to battle. Only red dye from henna or mixing some indigo leaves which increases its redness & and there not being any black colour is sunnah mustahabbah.
Shaykh ‘Abdul Haq Muhaddith al-Dihlawī, may Allāh sanctify his soul, states in Ashi’’ah al-Lam’āt Sharh Mishkāh, that it is harām [unlawful] to apply black dye; the use of red dye is established from the blessed companions and other pious personalities, and also sometimes the use of yellow dye.
[Ashi’’ah al-Lam’āt Sharh Mishkāh, vol 3, pg 569]
[Fatāwā Ridawiyyah, vol 23, pg 484]
واللہ تعالی اعلم ورسولہ اعلم صلی اللہ علیہ وآلہ وسلم
کتبہ ابو الحسن محمد قاسم ضیاء قادری
Answered by Mufti Qasim Zia al-Qadri
Translated by Haider Ali
Read the original Urdu answer here: [Q-ID0748] Which colours can men dye their head and beard hairs to?
Also see:
[Q-ID0053] Is it permissible to use black hair dye on the hair or beard?
