Did Prophet Muhammad Have Long Hair? Find Out Here!

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Hi, dear readers! Are you looking for an explanation of "Did Prophet Muhammad have long hair?". If your answer is "Yes," congratulations! You are now reading the right article. Why? Because that is what I will explain here. As Muslims, we need to understand this topic, and that's why I wrote this article. So, be sure to read it to the end!

Specifically, there are some important points about "Did Prophet Muhammad have long hair?" that I will explain in this article. The key points I will address are as follows:

Did Prophet Muhammad Have Long Hair?

The important point about "Did Prophet Muhammad have long hair?" that I'm going to discuss now is the specific answer. I hope you read the explanation below carefully.

Before I provide the answer, I would like to quote two hadiths that are directly related to this discussion. The two hadiths I am referring to are as follows:

حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ أَبِى شَيْبَةَ حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيْدُ بْنُ هَارُوْنَ أنْبَأَنَا جَزِيْرُ بْنُ حَازِمٍ عَنْ قَتَادَةَ عَنْ أَنَسٍ قَالَ كَانَ شَعْرُ رَسُوْلِ اللّهِ صَلَّى اللّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ شَعْرًا رَجِلاً بَيْنَ أُذُنَيْهِ وَ مَنْكِبَيْهِ . رَوَاهُ ابْنُ مَاجَهْ

Ibn Majah narrated from Abu Bakr bin Abu Syaibah, from Yazid bin Harun, from Jazir bin Hazim, from Qatadah, from Anas, "The hair of Allah's Messenger (Prophet Muhammad) was straight and curly, and it fell between his ears and shoulders." This hadith was narrated by Ibn Majah.

عَنِ الْبَرَّاءِ بْنِ عَازِبٍ يَقُوْلُ مَا رَأَيْتُ مِنْ ذِيْ لِمَّةٍ أَحْسَنَ مِنْهُ وَفِيْ رِوَايَةٍ كَانَ يَضْرِبُ شَعْرَهُ مَنْكِبَيْهِ

From Bara' bin Azib, he said, "I have never seen hair that goes beyond the tips of anyone's ears that is better than the (hair) of Allah's Messenger (Prophet Muhammad)." In another narration, it is explained, "The hair of the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) reached his shoulders."

Dear readers, if we understand the two hadiths above, we can conclude that Prophet Muhammad had long hair. So, if you ask me, "Did Prophet Muhammad have long hair?" the answer is "Yes, he had long hair." There are several important aspects regarding this that I will explain at the end of the discussion in this article.

That’s a brief explanation of "Did Prophet Muhammad have long hair?" As Muslims, we must understand this matter.

Is it Sunnah to Have Long Hair?

The important point about "Did Prophet Muhammad have long hair?" that I will explain now is, "Is it sunnah to have long hair?" I want you to understand this because it is one of the important questions about long hair in Islam that must be well understood. Additionally, some Muslims do not fully grasp this concept.

Before I explain "Is it sunnah to have long hair?" I want you to understand the meaning of sunnah in Islam first. The goal is for you to have a comprehensive understanding of this discussion.

Meaning of Sunnah in Islam

In Islam, sunnah generally refers to everything related to the Prophet Muhammad. We can find this explanation in the description below:

كُلُّ مَا نُقِلَ عَنْ رَسُوْلِ اللهِ - صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ - مِنْ أَقْوَالٍ وَأَفْعَالٍ وَتَقْرِيْرٍ ، وَصِفَاتٍ خَلْقِيَّةٍ وَخُلُقِيَّةٍ، سَوَاءً أَكَانَ ذَلِكَ قَبْلَ الْبِعْثَةِ أَمْ بَعْدَهَا

Everything that is narrated from the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam, such as sayings, deeds, decisions, attributes of creation, and ethics, either before he was sent as a Prophet and Messenger or afterward.

This is one of the definitions of sunnah according to hadith scholars.

Read Also: Differences Between Sunnah and Hadith

You can find an explanation of sunnah in the hadith below:

مَنْ سَنَّ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ سُنَّةً حَسَنَةً فَلَهُ أَجْرُهَا وَأَجْرُ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا بَعْدَهُ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْقُصَ مِنْ أُجُورِهِمْ شَيْءٌ وَمَنْ سَنَّ فِي الْإِسْلَامِ سُنَّةً سَيِّئَةً كَانَ عَلَيْهِ وِزْرُهَا وَوِزْرُ مَنْ عَمِلَ بِهَا مِنْ بَعْدِهِ مِنْ غَيْرِ أَنْ يَنْقُصَ مِنْ أَوْزَارِهِمْ شَيْءٌ

Whoever establishes a good practice in Islam will receive its reward, along with the reward of those who follow that practice, without diminishing their rewards in the slightest. Conversely, whoever establishes a bad practice will incur its sin, along with the sin of those who follow him, without reducing their sins in the slightest.

If we understand some of the explanations above, we can conclude that having long hair is a sunnah. Why? Because the Prophet Muhammad had long hair. One important thing that we must understand is that having long hair is not an obligation for Muslims. Therefore, if someone does not have long hair, they are not sinful.

That’s a brief explanation of "Is it sunnah to have long hair?" As Muslims, we must understand this matter.

Long Hair or Short Hair: Which Is Better for Muslims Today?

The important point about "Did Prophet Muhammad have long hair?" that I will explain now is, "Long hair or short hair: which is better for Muslims today?" I want you to understand this by the end of our discussion because it is one of the important questions that must be well understood.

In the previous paragraphs, I explained that Prophet Muhammad had long hair and that having long hair is a sunnah. However, one important question often asked by some Muslims is: Is it better for Muslim men today to have long hair or short hair?

To be honest, if we read some Islamic legal literature on this subject, we will not find a specific answer. Personally, during my studies at Al-Azhar University in Cairo, Egypt, I noticed that the male lecturers there generally had short hair. I also observed that the majority of Islamic scholars in various countries, especially in Indonesia—my country—have short hair.

Read Also: Is It Sunnah to Cut Hair on Friday?

So, if you ask me, "Are Muslim men today better off having long hair or short hair?" my answer is that it depends on what is considered better in their environment. If, in their community, long hair is seen as a good, polite, and beautiful thing, then they are allowed to have long hair. Conversely, if short hair is regarded as more appropriate, polite, and beautiful, then they may choose to have short hair. Beauty should be the standard.

We can find the obligation to use beauty as the standard to answer the question "Are Muslim men today better off having long hair or short hair?" in the hadith below:

عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ مَسْعُودٍ ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ :‏ لاَ يَدْخُلُ الْجَنَّةَ مَنْ كَانَ فِي قَلْبِهِ مِثْقَالُ ذَرَّةٍ مِنْ كِبْرٍ ‏.‏ قَالَ رَجُلٌ : إِنَّ الرَّجُلَ يُحِبُّ أَنْ يَكُونَ ثَوْبُهُ حَسَنًا وَنَعْلُهُ حَسَنَةً ‏.‏ قَالَ ‏:‏ إِنَّ اللَّهَ جَمِيلٌ يُحِبُّ الْجَمَالَ الْكِبْرُ بَطَرُ الْحَقِّ وَغَمْطُ النَّاسِ ‏

From Abdullah bin Mas'ud, the Prophet (Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, "He will not enter Paradise in whose heart there is arrogance as heavy as a grain of dust." Someone asked, "Indeed, everyone likes to wear beautiful clothes and good footwear; is this considered arrogant?" He (the Prophet Muhammad) replied: "Verily, Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty; arrogance is rejecting the truth and belittling others."

That's a brief explanation of "Long hair or short hair: which is better for Muslims today?" As Muslims, we must understand this matter.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the inquiry "Did Prophet Muhammad have long hair?" is significant for Muslims seeking to understand the Sunnah and its implications in their lives. Based on the hadiths presented, it is clear that Prophet Muhammad did have long hair, which indicates that maintaining such a hairstyle is a Sunnah rather than an obligation. While some may wonder whether long hair or short hair is preferable for Muslims today, the answer ultimately depends on cultural perceptions of beauty within their communities. Islam emphasizes the importance of personal grooming, and following the Prophet's example can inspire individuals to embrace the Sunnah while adapting to their surroundings. Therefore, whether one chooses to keep long or short hair, what matters most is the intention behind that choice, ensuring it aligns with the values of humility and respect for the teachings of Islam. May this discussion guide you in making informed decisions regarding your personal grooming. Ameen.

See you again in the next article!