It is permissible, rather recommended (mandub) to dye the hair of the head (and beard for men) provided the ingredients used in the hair dye are Halal. The Messenger of Allah said: “Change the old age (white/grey hair), and do not imitate the Jews” (Sunan Tirmidhi & Sunan Nasa’i). He also stated: “The best dye to change your old age is Henna (a red plant dye) and Katm (type of grass)” (Narrated by many Hadith Imams). There is a difference of opinion between the scholars on whether the Messenger of Allah himself dyed his hair. However Sayyiduna Abu Bakr and Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab did dye the hair of their head and beard, thus it will be classed as recommended (mandub), if not Sunnah. Small town on the road from Bundi to Udaipur, Rajasthan, India, 2011.

Young Waiter in a truck stop restaurant on the road a few kilometers outside Jaisalmer. Rajasthan, India, 2011.

Most Indian towns still have open sewage systems. This metal worker takes a nap by his road side workshop. Raw sewage flows beneath him. Bundi, Rajasthan, 2011.