Exposition of Hadith from Sahih al-Bukhari 5941

This narration from the Book of Dress addresses the prohibition of artificial hair extensions, known as "wasl" or "salb" in Islamic terminology. The Prophet's response establishes a severe divine censure upon both the practitioner and recipient of this act.

The Nature of the Prohibition

The curse (la'nah) mentioned indicates the gravity of this action in Islamic law. A curse signifies being distanced from Allah's mercy, reserved for major transgressions that involve deception and alteration of Allah's creation.

Scholars explain that this prohibition applies regardless of the material used - whether human hair, animal hair, or synthetic fibers. The essence of the prohibition lies in the deceptive practice of presenting artificial hair as natural.

Juridical Rulings and Exceptions

The majority of classical scholars, including the four Sunni schools, consider hair extensions haram (forbidden) based on this explicit hadith. Some contemporary scholars make exceptions for medical necessity, such as hair loss due to illness, but even then require full disclosure to the spouse.

The permissibility of wigs for medical reasons remains debated among modern jurists, with most maintaining the prohibition due to the general nature of the curse mentioned in the hadith.

Underlying Wisdom

This prohibition serves multiple purposes: preventing deception in marriage, maintaining natural creation, avoiding imitation of immoral women who historically used such practices, and preserving marital trust through honesty about one's appearance.

The ruling emphasizes the Islamic principle of accepting Allah's decree regarding one's natural state while permitting lawful means of enhancement that don't involve deception or fundamental alteration.