Title: AssalamAlaikum Respected Mufti Saab, I have noticed a few brothers in our community having plaited hair. Some of them have their hair similar to the rastafarian's 'dreadlocks'. I have also seen those brothers given azaan and iqaamah. 1. Can you please give me a detailed response as to whether we are allowed to keep this hair style? 2. Is the wudhu and ghusl accepted if a muslim has that sort of hairstyle? If not, then what about his salaat and other ibaadat? 3. Should they be allowed to call azaan and iqaamat? If not, how should we inform them of this? 4. Are there any differences of opinions regarding this issue? Will appreciate a detailed response including hadiths etc. so that it might be easy to inform and understand for the brothers JazakAllah

Question: AssalamAlaikum Respected Mufti Saab, I have noticed a few brothers in our community having plaited hair. Some of them have their hair similar to the rastafarian's 'dreadlocks'. I have also seen those brothers given azaan and iqaamah. 1. Can you please give me a detailed response as to whether we are allowed to keep this hair style? 2. Is the wudhu and ghusl accepted if a muslim has that sort of hairstyle? If not, then what about his salaat and other ibaadat? 3. Should they be allowed to call azaan and iqaamat? If not, how should we inform them of this? 4. Are there any differences of opinions regarding this issue? Will appreciate a detailed response including hadiths etc. so that it might be easy to inform and understand for the brothers JazakAllah

Answer ID: 13021Posted on: Aug 30, 2020

Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

(Fatwa: 1025/D=117/K/1430)

It is sunnah to grow hair like patta, growing hair just for fashion imitating the others is against sunnah as well as imitation to the sinners and wrongdoers which is sin: من تشبہ بقوم فھو منھم, while it is makrooh tahreemi to grow English style hair (by shortening at a place and letting at the other).

(2) As far as the matter of wudhu, ghusl and salah is concerned, so they will be valid if performed with due conditions as wiping the head (masah) in wudhu and letting the water reach to the roots in ghusl. As far as their acceptance is concerned, it is delicate matter, an action is more expected to be accepted if it is more closed to sunnah, while an action against sunnah or away from sunnah is more feared to be unaccepted.

(3) One who calls azan or iqamah, should adopt the ways of the pious and the righteous, though the azan and iqamah of such person is valid and it will not be re-performed, but in presence of right people, it is makrooh on their part. Convey the message to them politely and wisely and do not resort to strict attitude.