In a strong message to the Muslim community, prominent Deobandi cleric and patron of Jamiat Dawatul Muslimeen, Maulana Qari Ishaq Gora, has declared the use of wigs and artificial facial hair as haram (religiously forbidden). Earlier he had expressed concern over the growing trend of tattoos among Muslim youth, stating that it goes against the principles of Islamic Sharia.
In a video statement released on Saturday, Maulana Gora emphasised that wearing wigs on the head, beard, or moustache renders the Islamic acts of wudu (ablution) and ghusl (ritual bath) invalid.
“If a person offers namaz (prayer) while wearing a wig or artificial beard, that prayer is considered incomplete,” he said.
Explaining the religious reasoning, he said that wigs prevent water from reaching the skin of the scalp, which violates the basic requirement of purification in Islam.
“The purpose of wudu and ghusl is defeated if water cannot touch the body directly,” he stated.
He referred to a 2016 fatwa issued by Darul Uloom Deoband, which had also declared the use of artificial hair as impermissible in Islam.
However, Maulana Gora clarified that hair transplants are not considered haram, provided they are not done deceptively or through non-Islamic means.
“There is a fundamental difference between a transplant and a wig. While the former restores what is naturally lost, the latter is a form of artificiality and deception,” he said. Criticising the growing obsession with fashion and artificial appearances, the cleric urged Muslims, especially the youth, to embrace simplicity, purity and honesty as guided by Islamic teachings. “Today’s lifestyle trends are drifting the young generation away from Islamic values. It is essential to understand and follow the principles of deen and Sharia, especially in changing times,” he added.
Earlier, on May 17, Maulana Gora had also expressed deep concern over the popularity of tattoos among Muslim youth, particularly young men and women who see it as a symbol of fashion and status. “Tattooing is a sinful act in Islam. It alters the natural form created by Allah, which is strictly prohibited in both the Quran and Hadith,” he had said.
Citing Islamic texts, he added that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) had cursed those who get tattoos and those who apply them. “Those who already have tattoos should repent and seek forgiveness from Allah, and wherever possible, get them removed,” he urged. Maulana Gora’s remarks come at a time when debates over modern fashion trends and Islamic identity are intensifying, especially among younger Muslims navigating contemporary culture and religious values.