Is parting the hair forbidden (haram)?

Letting the hair hang down (sadl) and parting it (farq) are both permissible. The Prophet's practice, peace and blessings be upon him, became settled on parting the hair, as he used to like to conform to the People of the Book in matters where he was not commanded otherwise. So he let his hair hang down, then later parted it. The Prophet's abandonment of sadl does not imply its prohibition or impermissibility. The correct view is that parting the hair is recommended, not obligatory.