Question:
A female enquirer asks: I cut the hair of my five-year-old daughter in a style that resembles a boy’s haircut. The reason for this is that she refuses to let me tie her hair back, which makes it look unkempt and untidy. Am I sinful for doing this? And is the prohibition of ‘resembling the opposite sex’ exclusive to adult women, or does it apply to children as well?
Answer:
She is sinful for this act, and this is the crux of the matter. It is a sin to cut her daughter’s hair so that it resembles a male’s hair, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) cursed women who imitate men. A child must avoid what an adult must avoid; while the child does not incur sin because they are not yet legally accountable (mukallaf), the guardian incurs the sin if they dress or groom the child in a manner that is forbidden for adults.
If leaving the daughter’s hair uncut in this specific style makes it appear unkempt, then so be it; one should not commit a forbidden act just for the sake of hairstyling. Therefore, she must repent to Allah and not repeat this action, otherwise, she bears the sin.
Did the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) not say: “Command your children to pray at the age of seven,” even though prayer is not yet obligatory for them? A guardian is duty-bound to raise children according to what pleases Allah and His Messenger—by performing what is commanded and avoiding what is prohibited.