Fatwa ID: 08538

 

 

Answered by Maulana Yusuf Badshah

 

Question:

 

I have a query regarding the difference in Islamic rulings between hair transplants and beard transplants. Male pattern baldness is primarily driven by genetic factors and the influence of hormones such as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Scientific research demonstrates that both scalp and facial hair growth are regulated by similar hormonal pathways. For example, the sensitivity of hair follicles to androgens is largely determined by genetic predisposition, affecting both the thinning of scalp hair and the development of facial hair. In some men, the same genetic mechanisms that lead to hair loss on the scalp can result in sparse or uneven facial hair growth.

 

 

Given that both conditions share similar genetic and hormonal foundations, why is hair transplantation generally considered permissible while beard transplantation is not?

 

Furthermore, since the beard is regarded as a natural and inherent characteristic of manhood, should its transplantation be viewed as an alteration of Allah’s creation? I would appreciate a detailed explanation of the theological reasoning behind why beard transplants are seen as altering Allah’s creation, whereas hair transplants, which employ similar methods, do not attract the same concern.

 

 

 

 

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

 

Answer:

 

The ruling for hair transplants depends on the circumstances and need. If one experiences hair loss due to an accident or medical illness or their hair recedes such that the loss is debilitating to their appearance and daily life, then getting a hair transplant would be permitted provided the hair used is either your own or artificial and it is implanted into the skin as opposed to being joined to the existing hair [1].

 

This ruling applies equally to both hair and beard transplants. However, given that hair loss on the scalp is significantly more common than beard hair loss and that the lack of a beard is rarely seen as a major defect in one’s appearance, it does not usually impact a person enough to qualify as a necessity and thus is rarely permitted.

 

Note that the biological origin of a body part does not determine its ruling, and although they are connected in terms of genetics and hormones, the two types of hair loss are not necessarily correlated. Beard hair loss is generally more uncommon and irregular.

 

 

 

References:

 

[1] Sahih Al-Bukhari 5947:

حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ عُبَيْدِ اللَّهِ، أَخْبَرَنِي نَافِعٌ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ لَعَنَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْوَاصِلَةَ وَالْمُسْتَوْصِلَةَ، وَالْوَاشِمَةَ وَالْمُسْتَوْشِمَةَ‏‏

 

Fatawah Hindiyyah, vol. 5, pg. 358, Darul Fikr:

وَوَصْلُ الشَّعْرِ بِشَعْرِ الْآدَمِيِّ حَرَامٌ سَوَاءٌ كَانَ شَعْرَهَا أَوْ شَعْرَ غَيْرَهَا كَذَا فِي الِاخْتِيَارِ شَرْحِ الْمُخْتَارِ

وَلَا بَأْسَ لِلْمَرْأَةِ أَنْ تَجْعَلَ فِي قُرُونِهَا وَذَوَائِبهَا شَيْئًا مِنْ الْوَبَرِ كَذَا فِي فَتَاوَى قَاضِي خَانْ

 

Raddul Muhtar, vol. 6, pg. 56, Darul Fikr:

مِمَّا فِيهِ ضَرُورَةٌ ظَاهِرَةٌ تُبِيحُ الْخُرُوجَ عَنْ أَصْلِ الْمَذْهَبِ مِنْ طُرُوُّ الْمَنْعِ

 

 

 

 

Only Allah s.w.t knows best.

Written by Maulana Yusuf Badshah

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham