Is it permissible to style one's hair in dreadlocks?

"Braided hair" is an ancient and modern hairstyle in which strands of hair are made into long, thin coils. It appeared in ancient Egypt and Greece, and was first popular in the Horn of Africa, then spread to Indian civilization.

We have not found any specific connection between this hairstyle and particular religious teachings, nor is it exclusive to a certain group. Rather, it is a common practice among various races, peoples, and religions.

Since this custom is not associated with religiosity or worship, and does not claim exclusivity to a particular people or religion, the legal ruling reverts to the principle of original permissibility, as there is no evidence to prohibit it. The jurisprudential rule is: "The default in customs is permissibility."

However, if this hairstyle is specific to a religious group other than Muslims and is a distinguishing mark of its adherents in a particular place or time, then it is not permissible for a Muslim woman to adorn herself with it, due to the forbidden imitation involved.

A Muslim woman may adorn herself with it for her husband, or in front of other women and her mahrams. However, displaying it to non-mahram men is forbidden, as Allah has commanded her to observe hijab.