Assalaamu alaykum. Is it haram for women to use silk pillowcases? I know that it is haram for men, but what about a married woman that wants to use a silk pillowcase for skin/hair purposes? Is there any reference about this in the Quran? May Allaah reward you.

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger. 

The majority of Muslim scholars maintain that the permission for women to wear silk clothing extends to using silk linen and pillows and the like given the general indication of the texts in this regard.

The commentary on the Shaafiʻi book Sharh Al-Mahalli reads:

“The woman is allowed to wear silk, as the Prophet, sallallaahu ʻalayhi wa sallam, said, 'Gold and silk were made lawful for the females of my ummah (community) and were made unlawful for its males.' [At-Tirmithi graded it hasan saheeh (good or sound)] Nevertheless, there is an opinion that says that the correct view is that it is impermissible for women to use silk linen because it does not involve beautifying herself for her husband as in clothing; I (the author Al-Mahalli) say that the correct view is that it is allowable for the woman to sit on or cover with silk. The ʻIraqi scholars and others decisively stated this opinion, given the general indication of the previously cited hadeeth.” [Briefly excerpted]

The Hanbali book Sharh Al-Muntaha reads, “It is also deemed prohibited for other than women to sit on silk furnishings (such as covers, pillows, or the like).”

The Maaliki book Mawaahib Al-Jaleel reads, “The author of Al-Madkhal (book) stated that it is impermissible for both men and women to use silk cushions, and this is a strange view. There is no religious impediment to forbid women from it because it is part of “libaas” (clothing). As for men, there is no doubt that it is impermissible for them to lean on silk (cushions).”

The Hanafi school holds the broadest view in this regard. According to the Hanafi School, it is allowed for both men and women to use silk in furnishings such as covers and cushions. Ad-Durr Al-Mukhtaar reads, “It is permissible to lean on it (silk) and to use it as sheets or covers. Ash-Shaafiʻi and Maalik held that it is impermissible. This is the correct view in this regard as stated in Al-Mawaahib (book).”

In conclusion, it is not prohibited for women to use a silk pillowcase.

Allaah knows best.