In my culture it is common practice for women to braid their hair sometimes using synthetic hair. I am muhajabah and I am unmarried and I’m not in the process of getting married. My question is that is it permissible to use synthetic hair to braid my hair, especially because I cut it boyish short? Does the synthetic hair affect wudhu or ghusl? Also, my hair will only be seen by my family and maybe some sisters.

All praise be to Allah and may His blessings and peace be on His messenger, Muhammad,

The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said,

” لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الْوَاصِلَة”

“May Allah curse the one who makes wasl (extending [her hair with something else]).” (Al-Bukhari)

This applies by agreement of the four schools to the case of a non-married woman who lengthens her hair with human hair. This is particularly so if deception of a suitor is intended.

The Hanafis allow the use of non-human hair. The Hanbalis allow it for a need, and the Shafi’ees allow extensions for a married woman with the permission of her husband.

It is also allowed for a woman to shorten her hair, but not to the point where she would look like a man.

The extension will not compromise your wudu or ghusl, according to the majority in both kinds of ghusl, even though the Hanbalis required unbraiding for the ghusl at the end of the period.

Allah knows best.