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Fatwa CenterHair extensions made from wool or silk
Question
I have read fatwa regarding the permissability of using silk or wool to tighten braids but there seems to be much doubt and different opinions regarding how that is to be done, my question is are there any reports as to how any of the sahabiyaat did this or women of the past, and also is it allowed to part the hair in sections and add the strands of wool/silk to interweave with the natural hair in a braid or twist? Must the colour be different from ones natural hair in order to distinguish the difference or can it be the same or similar? Also is it allowed to braid past the length of your natural hair or must it be to the length of ones natural hair? Please reply quickly, juzukallah khair
Answer
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 ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His Slave and Messenger.
Muslim scholars hold different opinions regarding extending hair with something other than human hair. Ibn Qudaamah 
highlighted that permissibility is the preponderant opinion, saying: "Apparently, what is prohibited is extending the hair with human hair for it implies a form of deception and also implies using hair that scholars hold different opinions regarding its impurity. Other than that is not prohibited for it lacks those reasons of prohibition and it achieves some benefits like the woman beautifying herself for her husband without causing any harm." [End quote]
Abu Daawood reported that Sa‘eed ibn Jubayr said: "There is nothing wrong with using Qaraamil (threads of silk or wool that are made into braids with which the woman extends her hair)." Abu Daawood said: "It is as if he views that what is prohibited (in extending hair) is the (natural) hair of women. Ahmad used to say that there is nothing wrong with using Qaraamil." [End quote]
An-Nawawi reported in his explanation of Saheeh Muslim that Al-Layth ibn Sa‘d said: "The prohibition applies specifically to attaching hair; there is nothing wrong with attaching wool, pieces of cloth and so on." [End quote]
For more benefit, kindly refer to Fatwa 87969.
Nevertheless, the majority of scholars held the opinion that it is prohibited for a woman to extend her hair in any way, even if it is with other than hair such as wool and the like because of the general evidences that prohibit hair extension. The Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, forbade women to attach anything to their head [Muslim]; and this Hadeeth has to be understood in its general context.
Anyway, there is absolutely no doubt that one should avoid such things wholly to be on the safe side, especially if there is no need for them.
Finally, we did not find any reports stating that the female companions 
or other women used to extend their hair with other materials to avoid normal hair except what we have mentioned previously regarding the explanation of Qaraamil.
Allaah Knows best.
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