Wearing two plaits, and the ruling on rouge and powder

Question

Muslim women nowadays commonly tie their hair in two plaits, and this practice has become a fashion. So is this act of women permissible in the Shari‘a or not? And in this connection, how far is it proper to use rouge, powder and similar adornment? And what is the ruling on women going about bareheaded?

Answer

Adopting anything that is a distinctive mark (shi‘ar) of the kuffar or the fussaq is a sin. It is necessary (lazim) for women to guard the head. Uncovering the head or the hair in front of a non-mahram is not proper. Going out having adorned and made oneself up in a fashionable way is an invitation to zina (fornication).

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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