Converts and Hair Extensions

Answered by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Question

Assalamu ‘alaykum.

I have realized after reading the article that wigs are to be avoided. But what about African converts, who probably before Islam, were using wigs and extensions for their hair. How are they supposed to deal with this ruling? And if a woman loses all her hair can’t she wear a synthetic wig?

Answer

Wa ‘alaykum assalam wa rahmatullah wa barakatuh.

I pray you are well.

Synthetic Wigs

Please refer to this answer for a comprehensive discussion on the matter. Wigs made from human or pig hair are impermissible. However, extensions and wigs from other animal or synthetic sources are permissible. The use of a wig that meets this criteria would be permissible for a lady who lost her hair.

Supporting Converts 

As for the converts you mentioned, they should liaise with a reliable local scholar. They may well have attachments from prior to their acceptance of Islam which may not be compatible with their din. 

Such people need to be mentored to get them to a stage where they can apply the rules of the religion comfortably. No one expects them to change overnight. The practice of the din is meant to be adopted gradually and easily. 

The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Those who go to excesses are destroyed.“ (Muslim) They make things hard on themselves until they can’t cope. This is why it is important to support converts. It can make all the difference to their practice of Islam.

May Allah grant you the best of both worlds.

[Shaykh] Abdul-Rahim

 

Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat began his studies in Arabic Grammar and Morphology in 2005. After graduating with a degree in English and History, he moved to Damascus in 2007, where, for 18 months, he studied with many erudite scholars. In late 2008 he moved to Amman, Jordan, where he continued his studies for the next six years in Sacred Law (fiqh), legal theory (Usul al-fiqh), theology, hadith methodology, hadith commentary, and Logic. He was also given licenses of mastery in the science of Quranic recital. He was able to study an extensive curriculum of Quranic sciences, tafsir, Arabic grammar, and Arabic eloquence.