Can I dye my hair?

Changing gray hair is a sunnah

The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: "Jews and Christians do not dye their hair, so you should do the opposite of what they do" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5899).

When Abu Bakr's elderly father, Abu Quhafa, came to the Prophet ﷺ with hair and beard completely white, the Prophet said: "Change it with something, but avoid black" (Sahih Muslim 2102).

Notice that this was about his beard too. So men can dye a graying beard as well. Many Muslim men use henna, which gives the orange-red beard you may have seen at the mosque.

What about black dye?

Because of that hadith, many scholars say covering gray hair with pure black dye is disliked or not allowed. Others are more lenient, especially with very dark brown shades, or for younger people simply returning to their natural dark color. Henna, brown, auburn and similar shades are fine according to everyone.

Colors and trends

Dyeing your hair a different color for style is generally permissible, for both men and women. Many scholars add some common-sense conditions:

• The dye should be safe and not harm your health.
• The purpose shouldn't be to deceive, like hiding your age before marriage.
• For women who wear hijab, dyed hair is a private matter under the scarf.

Does hair dye affect wudu and ghusl?

No. Hair dye and henna color the hair itself and don't form a waterproof layer, so water still reaches your hair and scalp. That's the key difference from nail polish, see Can I pray with nail polish on?

Very heavy styling products, like thick wax or gel, are a different story. If they stop water from reaching your scalp, wash them out before ghusl.

Henna: the classic choice

Henna is natural, gentle on the hair, and has been used by Muslims for centuries. Mixed with katam (a plant dye), it gives darker brown shades without using black. Many Muslim shops sell ready-mixed henna for hair.