Can Muslim women cut their hair short?

Evidence that it's allowed

There's no verse or hadith telling women to keep their hair long. In a sahih report, a narrator describes how the wives of the Prophet ﷺ would cut their hair to around ear length (Sahih Muslim 320); scholars such as an-Nawawi explain this was after his death. Scholars use this as evidence that shortening hair is permitted for women.

Islam's general rule is that matters of appearance are allowed unless there's a clear reason against them, and plenty of women choose shorter hair because it's easier under hijab, cooler in summer, or simpler to wash and dry.

What to avoid

• Imitating men on purpose. The Prophet ﷺ cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men (Sahih al-Bukhari 5885). A very short crop or fade chosen to look like a man falls under this, according to most scholars. A pixie cut or bob that's clearly a women's style doesn't.
• Styles tied to another religion, like a ritual shaved head of nuns or monks.
• Shaving the head without need. Many scholars disliked this for women; medical reasons, such as surgery or chemotherapy, are fine.

Scholars differ on how short is "too short." Some classical Hanafi and Hanbali jurists disliked or forbade cutting it very short, mainly because of imitating men, while most contemporary scholars allow any clearly feminine short style.

Does a husband have a say?

Hair is part of a wife's beauty at home, so it's kind and wise to talk about a big change with your husband first. Scholars encourage spouses to consider each other's preferences in how they look, and that works both ways.

Hair, colour and extensions

Dyeing your hair is generally fine, though scholars discourage black dye for covering grey. See Can I dye my hair? Extensions made from human hair are not allowed by most scholars. See Can I wear hair extensions as a Muslim woman? Men have their own rules for long hair. See Can Muslim men have long hair?