Dress and Adornment

Hijab is optional in Islam. The Quran asks for modesty and for covering the bosom; covering the hair is a woman's own choice, beautiful when freely made.

Dyeing your hair is halal in Islam, in any color, black included. The Prophet urged dyeing grey hair, and Companions and great jurists dyed theirs black.

Shaving the beard is permissible. Growing it is a recommended sunna, the Shafi'i school held shaving only disliked, and Dar al-Ifta says it is no obligation.

Tattoos are halal on the stronger view, and wudu and prayer are valid with them. Ayatollah Sistani permits them, and Muslim women wore them for centuries.

Makeup is halal in Islam. Allah is beautiful and loves beauty, the Prophet used kohl, and early scholars counted eye makeup among a woman's visible adornment.

Plucking or shaping your eyebrows is halal. Scholars tied the namisat hadith to deception and lasting change, and Aisha allowed removing facial hair.

Nail polish is halal. Most scholars ask you to remove it before wudu; others excuse a thin layer. Here is the evidence and how to pray with painted nails.

Piercings are halal. The women of Medina wore earrings, nose rings are an old Muslim adornment, and men's earrings follow custom ('urf).

Taking off the hijab is halal. Covering the hair is a woman's choice, and a woman who stops wearing it remains a full believer. How to talk with family.

Most scholars forbid gold jewelry for men, tying it to luxury and pride. Some early authorities held it only disliked; silver and platinum are halal for all.

Muslim men may wear silver and other jewelry: rings, chains, bracelets, and earrings where custom allows. The Prophet wore a silver ring.

Muslim women may wear pants. The Quran sets modesty as the principle, Muslim women have worn trousers for centuries, and custom decides what is women's wear.

Plastic surgery, including a nose job, is halal. The Prophet told a Companion to replace his lost nose with gold, and Islam honors healing and beauty.

Muslims can wear shorts. The Prophet's thigh was seen uncovered at Khaybar, many scholars held the thigh is not awrah, and modesty follows custom.

Muslim men may grow long hair and wear braids. The Prophet's hair reached his shoulders, and he once came to Mecca wearing four braids.

Removing body hair is halal for women and men. The Sunnah asks for some grooming, and hair the texts leave unmentioned, like legs and chest, is your choice.

Hair extensions and wigs are halal on the stronger view. The hadith of al-wasila concerned deceiving a groom, and early jurists allowed non-human hair.

Cutting your nails at night and whistling are permitted. These taboos are folk custom, and the Prophet rejected bad omens and taught trust in Allah.

Sleeping on your stomach is permitted. A few reports of the Prophet's dislike make it etiquette at most, and pain, illness, or real need lifts even that.