Question
There is a hair treatment called Brasil Cacau Keratin that keeps the hair straight. However, this results in the hair being coated by this substance, keratin and it remains on the hair for up to three months. This prevents water reaching the scalp. Many Muslim women use this treatment. Some repeat it annually or after six months. Once applied, it cannot be removed. The removal is gradual over a few months. What can these women now do if they have already used this treatment? What is the status of their past and future acts of Ibaadat which requires Tahaarat? While keratin is applied to the hair, it can come into contact with the scalp, after application, the hair is straightened with a hot iron. It is the heat which seals the keratin on the hair. Since the scalp is not heat-treated, the keratin on the scalp is temporary. But it may last for a few days. Is it permissible to undergo this treatment? According to the MJC, it is permissible, and ghusl is valid.
Answer
There is no need for profound knowledge to understand this simple issue. The masalah is straightforward. There is no conundrum in the ghusl not being valid. The confounded keratin substance along with the application of heat in this satanic treatment, forms a thoroughly impervious coating which completely prevents water from seeping through. Regardless of whether the substance forms a coating on the scalp or not, the fact remains that the 100% waterproof coating on the hair prevents water reaching the scalp. Furthermore, it is inconceivable that nothing of the devilish substance coats a portion of the scalp.
Keratin is pressed into every single hair providing an impervious coat to it. The keratin seals every single hair after. Wikipedia states: …This means that the hair is now infused with extra keratin and chemicals of treatment thereby altering its natural state. …..it adds a protective keratin layer around the hair shaft……This treatment lasts three or four months eventually washing out.
According to the Shariah the ghusl of a woman whose hair has been satanically treated with keratin is not valid. Thus, for months this woman wallows in the impurity of janaabat. Her ghusl is not
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