Most-asked question

Can a woman cut her hair short?

37 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 4 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online, MUBZ, Camperdown). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“As-salaamu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullaahi wa-barakaatuh It is not permissible for a woman to cut her hair. The excuse given for a woman to cut her hair is not valid in Sharī’ah.”

AskImam — Can a woman cut her hair? · 14 Oct 2019

“It is not permissible in Shari'ah for a woman to cut or trim her hair. Hazrat Aisha (Radiyallahu Anha) herself explains the reason for her hair not being very long. She says I had fallen ill and I suffered from hair loss until my hair became very short. The details of this Hadith appears in Bukhari Shareef.”

Mufti Online — Is it permissible for women to cut or trim their hair? · 1 Oct 2016

“In principle, for a woman to come out of the state of Iḥrām, she should trim her hair from all sides to the extent of one third of a finger (up to the first joint).”

MUBZ — How Should a Woman with Short Hair Cut Her Hair After ʿUmrah · 15 Jun 2024

“In principle, for a woman to exit Ihram, she must gather her hair and trim by the length of one fingertip or little more from the bottom.”

Camperdown — How Much Should a Woman Cut Her Hair After Umrah or Hajj? [Afro Hair or Hair Loss Due to Illness] · 5 Sep 2026

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. How Much Should a Woman Cut Her Hair After Umrah or Hajj? [Afro Hair or Hair Loss Due to Illness] Camperdown · 5 Sep 2026
  2. Can a Female Cut Her Hair in Different Layers? MUBZ · 17 Jun 2024
  3. Can a woman cut her hair to conceal a defect? AskImam · 17 May 2023
  4. Is it permissible for women to cut or trim their hair? Mufti Online · 1 Oct 2016
  5. A woman exiting Ihram, can her husband or son who is still in ihram cut her hair? Camperdown · 5 Sep 2026
  6. How Should a Woman with Short Hair Cut Her Hair After ʿUmrah MUBZ · 15 Jun 2024
  7. Can a woman cut her hair due to excessive falling? AskImam · 13 Jul 2020
  8. Woman with extremely short hair cutting her hair to come out of ihraam Mufti Online · 19 May 2025
  9. Can a woman cut her hair? AskImam · 14 Oct 2019
  10. Husband commanding the wife to cut her hair Mufti Online · 4 Mar 2018
  11. Can a woman trim her hair to avoid split ends? AskImam · 14 Feb 2019
  12. Can a woman cut her hair? AskImam · 24 Jan 2017
  13. Is it permissible for a woman to cut her hair shorter if it falls below her hips. AskImam · 23 Jan 2015
  14. Is a woman allowed to trim her hair for the husband`s sake? AskImam · 16 Dec 2013
  15. Are women allowed to cut their hair? AskImam · 5 Sep 2012

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