Islamic Hair Care: Hair Care the Prophetic Way
Maintaining healthy hair isn’t just a cosmetic concern; it’s a practice embedded in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). In Sahih al Bukhari, it’s reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever has hair, let him look after it properly.”
Guidelines for General Hair Care:
Regular Hair Washing: The Prophet (ﷺ) would pour water three times on his head and gently yet thoroughly rub his hair to ensure even dampness. Before bathing, he would perfume his hair with a pleasant scent, distributing it across the right, left, and middle sections of his head. This fragrance would linger even after bathing, as recorded in Sahih al Bukhari.
Studies have indicated that washing your hair every couple of days with a mild medicated shampoo is ideal. Excessive washing can cause brittleness and split ends. Follow up with a hair conditioner for added softness and ease of combing. Women with long hair should ensure thorough washing after their menses rather than just wetting the tips.
Start with the Right: Following the example of our Mother A’ishah (radhi Allahu anha), the Prophet (ﷺ) preferred to start tasks from the right. This practice extended to ablution, hair combing, and putting on shoes, underscoring the significance of the right side in Islamic teachings.
Gentle Combing of Wet Hair: Avoid using fine-toothed combs on wet hair, as this can cause strain and breakage. Instead, opt for a wide-toothed detangling comb and consider using a touch of olive oil to ease the process without tugging at the hair.
Air Drying over Blow Drying: Blow dryers strip hair of natural moisture, leading to dryness, split ends, and frizz. Air drying is recommended to maintain the hair’s natural moisture balance and prevent damage.
Massage with Hair Oil: Massaging the scalp regularly (around once a week) with the fingertips using olive oil, as per the Sunnah, can improve blood circulation, strengthen hair roots, and condition the hair shaft. The Prophet (ﷺ) would allow our Mother A’ishah (radhi Allahu anha) to comb and oil his hair, highlighting the significance of this practice.
Benefits of Henna: For those seeking natural hair care, henna is a Sunnah practice embraced by the Companions, including Abu Bakr As Siddique (radhi Allahu anhu). Henna is derived from the leaves of the Henna plant and is known to strengthen hair, cool the scalp, reduce greying, alleviate flakiness, and deter lice. It’s mixed with lemon juice and applied as a paste for 2 to 8 hours.
Restorative Sleep: Quality sleep is crucial for stress reduction, which in turn can prevent hair loss. The practice of Rasool’Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) and the Companions involved sleeping a portion of the night and waking up in the last third for Qiyyam ul Layl.
Nourishing Diet: A balanced diet rich in protein, vegetables, fresh fish, vitamins, and minerals promotes healthy hair. Avoid crash diets and imbalanced nutrition that can lead to hair loss. Incorporating whole milk, almonds, sesame seeds, and dried fruits into your diet can further benefit scalp and hair health.
Conclusion: In adhering to these Prophetic teachings, we not only preserve our physical appearance but also honor the wisdom of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). Each practice contributes to holistic well-being, reflecting a comprehensive approach to life that transcends mere appearance. By embracing these teachings, we follow in the footsteps of the Prophet (ﷺ) and strive to incorporate his wisdom into every facet of our lives.
