Can I use hair conditioner?

All perfect praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

It is permissible for a man to moisturize his hair with a hair conditioner that is not specific to women because, in principle, all things are permissible (unless proven otherwise).

The hair conditioner is considered among the moisturizers and creams, and the view which we adopt at our website is that what is specific to women, that which they use for adornment and beautification, is not befitting for a man to use. If he uses it, he is included in the context of imitating women, and there is a severe forbiddance about men imitating women and vice versa in matters that are specific to each of them according to the Shariah or to a custom that is not contrary to the Shariah.

Among the evidence of forbidding such imitation is the report of Ibn ‘Abbaas, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, "The Prophet cursed men who imitate women and cursed women who imitate men." [Al-Bukhaari]

Ibn Hajar said in Fat-h al-Baari, "At-Tabari said: The meaning is that it is not permissible for men to imitate women in dress and adornment that are specific to women and vice versa."

As regards the things that are not specific to women, like those related to treatment and things that improve the skin and moisturizing it, then there is no harm for a man to use them if they are made of pure substances and do not cause any harm. The principle regarding such things is that they are permissible.

Treatment and beautification are two matters that are required Islamically, and moisturizing the skin and putting cream on it are included in this.

The Prophet said, "Eat the (olive) oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree." [Ahmad, At-Tirmithi, Ad-Daarimi - Al-Albaani graded it saheeh (sound)]

Al-Munaawi said in Faydh Al-Qadeer, "The oil meant here is olive oil, and 'anoint yourselves with it' means apply it to your skin and hair."

It should be noted that a distinction must be made between luxury that exceeds the limits of moderation and the use of what is good for the skin and that which strengthens the body and gives the Muslim a good appearance without exaggeration.

Exaggeration in enjoying the types of pleasures of this world and its desires is contrary to the guidance of the righteous predecessors, and it is a reason for the decrease of the status of the human being with Allah on the Day of Resurrection.

When the Prophet sent Mu’aath ibn Jabal to Yemen, he told him, "Beware of luxury, for the slaves of Allah do not live a life of luxury." [Ahmad, as cited in Mishkaat Al-Masaabeeh, and Al-Albaani in As-Silsilah As-Saheehah]

Also, Ibn 'Umar said, "No one has a share in (the pleasures of) this world except that his levels are decreased with Allah, even if he is honored in the sight of Allah." [Ibn Abi Shaybah in Al-Musannaf, and cited in Shu’ab Al-Eemaan]

Allah knows best.