"The Messenger of Allah [SAW] cursed the woman who affixes hair extensions and the woman who has that done, the woman who does tattoos and the woman who has that done."
The Prohibition of Hair Extensions and Tattoos
This narration from Sunan an-Nasa'i 5095, found in "The Book of Adornment," contains a severe prohibition from the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) regarding two specific practices: attaching false hair (hair extensions) and tattooing. The curse (la'nah) mentioned is a powerful expression of divine displeasure and distance from Allah's mercy, indicating the gravity of these acts.
Scholarly Commentary on Hair Extensions (Al-Wasilah)
Classical scholars explain that the "woman who affixes hair extensions" refers to one who attaches false hair, whether human hair or otherwise, to another's head to deceive by creating an illusion of longer or thicker hair. The "woman who has that done" is the one who requests and accepts this service. The prohibition encompasses both the service provider and the client.
The wisdom behind this prohibition, as mentioned by Imam an-Nawawi and others, includes: 1) It constitutes a form of deception (ghish), 2) It involves altering Allah's creation without legitimate cause, 3) It imitates the practice of pre-Islamic ignorance (Jahiliyyah), and 4) In some cases, it may involve using hair from unlawful sources.
Scholarly Commentary on Tattoos (Al-Washim)
The "woman who does tattoos" refers to the practitioner who pierces the skin and inserts dye to create permanent marks, while "the woman who has that done" is the one who seeks and receives the tattoo. Scholars unanimously agree on the prohibition of permanent tattoos based on this and other authentic narrations.
Ibn Qudamah al-Maqdisi explained that tattoos are forbidden because they: 1) Permanently change Allah's creation, 2) Cause unnecessary pain to the body, 3) Often involve imitating disbelieving cultures, and 4) May contain symbols or images that are Islamically impermissible. The prohibition applies regardless of the tattoo's size, location, or content.
Legal Rulings and Exceptions
The majority of classical scholars considered both practices to be major sins (kaba'ir) due to the severity of the curse mentioned. The Hanafi school made an exception for hair extensions used to cover a legitimate defect or disfigurement, while other schools maintained the absolute prohibition.
Scholars differentiate between permanent tattoos and temporary henna decorations, with the latter being permissible and even recommended for women on occasions like Eid and weddings. The key distinction lies in the permanence of the alteration and the method used.
Contemporary Applications
Modern scholars have extended these rulings to include modern equivalents such as hair weaves, clip-in extensions, and all forms of permanent cosmetic tattooing (including microblading and permanent makeup). The principle remains that any permanent alteration of the body's natural state without medical necessity is prohibited.
This hadith emphasizes the Islamic ethic of accepting and being content with one's natural creation while avoiding practices that involve deception, unnecessary bodily alteration, and imitation of forbidden cultures.