Fatwa regarding Hair Transplants

The scholars are in consensus regarding the general prohibition of hair extensions. It is quoted in the Hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhuma) that Allaah has cursed the lady who lengthens (her or someone else’s) hair artificially. [Al-Bukhaari no. 5937]

There is another stricter Hadeeth regarding this matter in which ‘Aishah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anha) narrated: “An Ansaari woman gave her daughter in marriage and the hair of the latter started falling out. The Ansaari woman came to the Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) and mentioned that to him and said: ‘Her (my daughter’s) husband suggested that I should let her wear false hair.’

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: ‘No, (do not do that) for Allaah sends His curses upon such women who lengthen their hair artificially (by wearing false hair).’” [Al-Bukhaari no. 5205]

The scholars disputed regarding the reason behind this prohibition, but the most preponderant opinion is what is mentioned in the following Hadeeth reported by Muslim: Humaid ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan ibn ‘Auf (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) said that he heard Mu’awiyah ibn Abi Sufyan (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu) during the season of Hajj, (saying) as he sat upon the minbar holding a bunch of hair in his hand, which was (previously) in the hands of his guard:

“O people of Madinah, where are your scholars? I heard Allaah’s Messenger (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) forbidding this and saying: ‘The people of Bani Israa’eel were ruined at the time when their women wore such hair.’” [Muslim no. 2127a]

In another version: “[Mu’awiyah (Radia-Allaahu ‘anhu)] brought out a bunch of hair and said: ‘I did not think that anyone did this but the Jews. The Messenger of Allaah (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) heard of this and he called it deceitful.’” [Muslim no. 2127c]

The Prophet (Salla-Allaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) called it Zoor (i.e. forgery or falsehood). That is because the woman increases the volume of her hair by using a cloth or bunch of hair or any extension. Therefore, Al-Wasl (hair extensions or lengthening the hair) is forbidden because it is a kind of forgery, cheating, and deception. This is the preponderant opinion.

Similarly, it is strictly forbidden for a woman to extend her hair with human hair.

However, if she extends her hair with non-human hair:

1 – If this hair does not look like natural hair, such that one who sees it would realize that it is not real, then it is permissible to be used (such as wool, or fur and so forth).

2 – If the extended hair resembles natural hair, such that whoever sees it thinks it is real hair, then this is forbidden, whether it is hair, wool, fur, artificial hair or the like.

Second: Hair Transplants

Hair transplants are done for those who suffer from baldness and falling hair of the head, eyebrow, eyelashes, beard, moustache, or other parts of the body.

A hair transplant refers to moving the hair follicles from one area of a person’s head to another. The ‘Ulama have two different opinions regarding its permissibility:

1- The first group said that it is permissible to transplant the hair [like Shaikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (Rahimahullaah)].

2- The second group said that it is forbidden.

Those who said it is permissible based this opinion on the story of the three people from Bani Israa’eel. One of them was bald and Allaah (Ta’ala) willed to test him, so He (Ta’ala) sent an angel who asked him what he wished for. The bald man said that he wished that Allaah would restore his hair, so the angel touched him and Allaah restored his hair and gave him beautiful hair. [The Hadeeth is reported by Al-Bukhaari no. 3464]

The story proves that seeking the removal of a defect to restore or get beautiful hair is permissible. This is because if it was forbidden, the angel would not do it.

Additionally, the original basis of the things is that they are allowable, and a hair transplant is not regarded as changing the creation of Allaah. Rather it is restoring something that is lacking or removing a defect. If this is the case, then the Shari’ah would not prevent it. Baldness is considered a defect in the human body which causes a person mental pain, and it is permissible in the Shari’ah to use medicine and means to remove defects.

As for those who said that hair transplants are forbidden, they based their opinion on the prohibition of using hair extensions.

However, the most correct and preponderant point of view is that it is permissible because of the evidences that prove that, and because in hair extensions, the original hair is extended by another hair, whereas in hair transplants, the hair that is transplanted is of the person’s original hair, and the follicle is just transferred from one part of the head to another part.

Source:

Contemporary Fiqh Issues by Shaikh Sa’d ibn Turky al-Khathlan