Fatwa ID: 04891

Answered by: Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Question

I have been using Bigen hair dyes and I have recently heard that the dye is waterproof. Would my wudhu and ghusl be valid? 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer

The following ingredients are found in “Bigen” hair dye:

Sodium Perborate; an oxidizing detergent

Cellulose Gum; A food-grade thickener

Sodium Sulfate; Sulfuric acid salt

Sodium Carbonate; Carbonic acid salt

Paraphenylenediamine Sulfate; (PPD)

P-Aminophenol; Rodinol (B&W photo developer)

Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate;

Magnesium stearate; Soap scum (filler that increases the volume of powder)

2-Nitro-P-Phenylenediamine Sulfate, (PPD)

4-Nitro-O-Phenylenediamine Sulfate. (PPD)

Out of the aforementioned ingredients, there is Paraphenylenediamine (PPD), which is a chemical substance that is widely used for a permanent hair dye. The use of PPD as a hair dye is popular because it is a permanent dye that gives a natural look. Hair can also be shampooed without becoming decolored.

As we can derive from the aforementioned information regarding its ingredients that “bigen” hair dyes are in fact permanent and it prevents the water from reaching the roots of the hair, therefore leaving wudhu and ghusl incomplete. It is on this basis that scholars give the verdict of non-permissibility. If the product did not contain such substances that prevent the water from reaching the hair then it will be permissible. (Fatawa Rahimiyah p.146 v.7 & p.93 v.8)

Only Allah Knows Best

Written by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham