Can I show my hair to female friends?

Women can see your hair

The Quran lists the people you may show your adornment to, and includes "their women" (Quran 24:31). Scholars agree that among women, the hair, neck and arms can show. The minimum that must stay covered between women is from the navel to the knee, according to most scholars, though it's better to dress as you would around close family.

What about non-Muslim friends?

Scholars differ on what "their women" means:

• Muslim women only: some early scholars said it refers to fellow believers, so a Muslim woman covers her hair in front of non-Muslim women.
• All women: many scholars, including a well-known Hanbali view, say it means women in general, since the reason for hijab is men.

Many contemporary scholars allow uncovering in front of non-Muslim women, especially family, friends and colleagues who are respectful. That's a relief for converts, whose mothers, sisters and best friends are often not Muslim.

Modesty among women

The Prophet ﷺ said a woman should not look at the private parts of another woman (Sahih Muslim 338). Women-only spaces still have limits: no nudity in changing rooms if it can be avoided, and no dressing in a way that invites inappropriate attention.

Photos and descriptions

The Prophet ﷺ said a woman shouldn't describe another woman to her husband as if he were looking at her (Sahih al-Bukhari 5240). Today, the bigger risk is phones. A friend who posts a picture of you without hijab exposes you to every man who sees it. Ask friends kindly not to take or share such photos. See Can I take off my hijab at an all-women party? and Who can see me without my hijab?