Wearing wigs is generally considered haram in Islam as it falls under the category of attaching false hair, a practice the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) explicitly condemned.
However, some exceptions to this ruling exist, particularly in cases where the use of a wig is needed to correct a defect or to address hair loss caused by illness or accidents.
Is Wearing Wigs Halal in Islam?
No, wearing wigs are Haram in Islam for beauty purposes only. But if you lost your hair due to illness or accident, then it is Halal.
Islamic teachings strongly advise against practices like adding false hair or wearing wigs for beauty enhancement.
However, there are cases where a wig may be permissible. Scholars have agreed that if a woman loses her hair due to illness or an accident, wearing a wig is allowed because it serves to restore her natural appearance rather than enhance beauty. In such situations, it is considered a form of treatment, not a violation of Islamic principles.
Evidence
- Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymin’s Ruling: In cases of illness or defect, wigs are allowed as they are seen as treatment, not for beauty enhancement.
- Hadith from Al-Bukhari: The Prophet (peace be upon him) forbade adding false hair, and those who did it were cursed.
- Hadith from Abu Hurayrah: The Prophet (peace be upon him) cursed women who wear wigs or add false hair.
- Fatwa from Fatawa Al-Lajnah Ad-Da’imah: Wigs are permissible in cases of illness or hair loss but not for cosmetic purposes.
According to hadiths, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) cursed the one who wears false hair and the one who does it for others.
The hadiths clearly demonstrate that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) disapproved of adding false hair for beauty purposes. It was a practice associated with non-Muslim cultures, and Islam discourages imitating non-Islamic customs.
However, the scholars made exceptions when wigs are used to rectify issues caused by illness or accidents. Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymin elaborated that in these cases, the intention is not to enhance beauty but to remove a defect, which makes it permissible under Islamic law.
Bottom Line
In Islam, wearing wigs for beauty purposes is generally forbidden, as it involves altering Allah’s creation and imitating non-Muslim customs.
Got a question? Feel free to ask mufti and get quick answers.
MORE:
WhatsApp Channel
ChatGPT
Instagram
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Support the officially authentic Islamic website.
Support our mission to spread Islamic knowledge. Your donation helps our volunteer writers and infrastructure. Contribute now.
Discover more from The Islamic Information
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
The ruling regarding wearing of wigs applies equally to both Muslim men and women. Men also cannot wear wigs to enhance their appearance subject to the exception that it can be done to remove a defect caused due to any valid reason. In addition to wigs accidental defects can also be removed by cosmetic surgery like hair transplant and skin transplant in case of burn, reconstructing breasts in case of removal due to breast cancer etc.This is based on the statement of the Islamic Fiqh Council belonging to the Organization of the Islamic Conference, during its eighteenth session held in Malaysia 24-29 Jumada Al-Akhirah 1428 AH (9-14 July 2007 ), regarding cosmetic surgery, and explaining what types of cosmetic surgery are permissible. Thus Islam is a flexible religion and wherever there are rules there are also exceptions. But it does not permit blindly imitating other religions, which the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) forbade saying “ Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” Jazakallah khair.