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Fatwa CenterWiping over his hair in ablution might ruin his hair style
Question
Salaam, I have 3 question in regards to Wudu. 1] What is the exact method of Doing Wudu when it comes to the part where you have done the arms and are about to move to the Hair? 2] When you do Ghusl, I understand the water has to reach and touch every single root of the hair as well as the body. does this same procedure or concept apply to Wudu? 3] The reason I ask (Which I understand is a silly reason and may sound silly), is that I style my hair which requires products and the style is not flat so the hair is raised up and in place firmly. If I was to do the procedure that is done in Ghusl requiring each strand to be washed basically would require me to squash my hair style and run my hand threw it in which case my hair style would get ruined. I understand that Islam has made it simple for us i.e. if we are unable to do a certain aspect due to a reason we may perform it in an alternate way. But I also understand this is for serious reasons as in health reason etc. and in my case it's not really a health reason, unless Confidence/Self Esteem counts as health. I have no problem, when I have no hairstyle (at home). But while at work and university I have my style and in all honesty I find it really hard to go out without my hairstyle, (I understand it is possible, as it will not be the end of the world, But I happen to have a low Self Esteem/Confidence and would find it really hard). I REALLY want to pray as recently a lot has happened and I have come to Islam and understood the power of Salah as well as the Importance of doing Wudu 'Correctly'. This problem with my Hair/Wudu is my only obstacle. So my question is when it comes to Wudu where I have to wash my hair, would it be sufficient enough to either 1] Sprinkle water over the top of the hair? 2] Make my hands wet and run it over the top (touch the top of the hair)? 3] Any other way/advice you can give that may help me keep Wudu as well keep my hairstyle the way it is, with minimal effect.
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 is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
The best way of wiping over the head when performing ablution is to do it as reported about the Prophet 
"…he wiped over his head with his hands, he started from the front of his head and wiped backward and then wiped from the back to the front until the reached the place where he started." [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. Therefore, what is legislated when performing ablution is to wipe over the head and not wash it; wiping is a soft movement and does not require making the water reach the root of every hair as mentioned in the question.
What is legislated is to wet the hands with water and then wipe over the head starting from the front and then moving backward until the end of the hair from the back and then moving reversely to the front of one's head. Moreover, you should not consider your hair style as an obstacle when performing the obligation of wiping over the hair, and you should not consider it as a question of self confidence. The main important thing is faith, being steadfast on Allaah's Religion and having a good moral character.
For more benefit, please refer to Fatwa 84841.
Furthermore, you should avoid leading a luxurious life which will lead you to being attached to this world. The Prophet said: "Beware of relishing a luxurious life; the slaves of Allaah are not relishing a luxurious life." [Ahmad].
Moreover, exaggerating in your concern about your hair style is one of the characteristic of women and not that of men, so you should beware of imitating women, the disbelievers or dissolute people as the Prophet cursed men who imitate women and he also said: "He who imitates a people is one of them."
Finally, we would like to bring to your attention, that what we stated is pertaining to ablution. On the other hand, during a Ghusl (ritual bath) the hair must be washed thoroughly until water reaches the skin (the root of the hair).
Allaah Knows best.
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