Islamic Revival

This is an extract from the book Al-Waadih Fee Usool ul-Fiqh by Muhammad Hussein Abdullah.  Al-Ijmaa’ (consensus) The meaning of Al-Ijmaa’: Al-Ijmaa’ linguistically: It is the determination or resolve upon a matter and agreement. This resolve is valid to emanate from one (person) and this meaning is found in the Qawl of the Messenger (saw): مَنْ لََْ يََْمَعْ ال ي صِّيَامَ قَ بْلَ الْفَجْير فَلَ ي صيَامَ لَه “Whoever does not resolve (i.e. intend) the fasting before Fajr, then there is no fasting for him” (related by the compilers of the Sunan). Just as it is valid to be used for more than one like in His Qawl Ta’Aalaa: فَأَ يْ جَعُوا أَمْرَكُمْ وَشُرَكَاءكَُمْ So resolve upon your plan along with your associates (Younus 71). Which means resolve whilst being in agreement with your associates. The meaning of Al-Ijmaa’ in accordance to the Istilaah of the Usooliyeen: It is the agreement upon the Hukm of a reality from amongst the realities in respect to it being a Hukm Sh...

Question: I’ve been asked this question and I want to raise it here for it to be answered if possible: are women obliged to keep long hair?   Is it not allowed for a woman to cut her hair?  Some have said that one points of reasoning behind this is, is that it would cover their awra’ on the day of judgement. Answer:  No on both counts. Reasoning: The cited reasoning or justification mentioned, is a khurāfah – a superstition, as there is no textual evidence to substantiate this view.  Just as there is no text outlining an obligation for women to keep their hair long, there isn’t any prohibition contained within the Islamic texts concerning women cutting their hair, or even for that matter, keeping it short.   We know that there is a report that the wives of the Prophet (peace be upon him) had their hair cut short mainly for ease in washing as outlined by the mother of the believers, ‘Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her.  ...