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Treating hair to make it soft

Question

I recently had my curly hair treated in order to make it softer so as to manage it and I would like to know is it permissible in Islam for a male to use products to help manage their hair (water entering the scalp).

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.

As far as we know, there is no harm in treating one's hair in order to make it soft, whether this applies to a man or a woman, especially if this is done by a husband to beautify himself for his wife or vice-versa. However, this treatment should not include any forbidden ingredient, like pork fat, all kinds of intoxicants and the like. Moreover, one should not do so to imitate dissolute people or bisexuals. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Whoever imitates a people, he is one of them." [Abu Daawood] So if this treatment is free from these prohibitions, then there is no harm for a man to use it. Taking care of one's hair is something recommended as long as one does not exaggerate. The Prophet  sallallaahu  `alayhi  wa  sallam ( may  Allaah exalt his mention ) said: "Whoever has hair, he should care for it." [Abu Daawood]

Allaah Knows best.

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