❀ Removing Unusual Facial Hair in Women ❀
Source:
This fatwa is taken from the book “500 Questions and Answers for Women” based on the rulings of the scholars of the Haramain, translated by Hafiz Abdullah Saleem.
❖ Question:
Is it permissible for a woman to remove or thin out eyebrow hair that causes facial disfigurement?
❖ Answer:
There are two situations regarding this issue:
① If the eyebrow hairs are plucked:
✘ This act is haram (prohibited) and considered a major sin, as it falls under the category of “Namas” (نمص)—which refers to plucking facial hair (especially from the eyebrows).
The Prophet ﷺ cursed the woman who practices or gets this done.
② If the eyebrow hairs are shaved:
There is a difference of opinion among the scholars:
- Some consider it to be included in namas, hence forbidden.
- Others allow it.
✅ However, the better and safer opinion is to avoid it as well.
❖ What about unusual facial hair?
If uncommon or abnormal hair appears on a woman’s face—for example:
- Moustache-like hair, or
- Hair growing on the cheeks, etc.
✅ Then removing such hair is permissible, as it is considered against the natural norm and is a cause of disfigurement.
❖ Regarding Eyebrows Specifically:
- Whether thick, thin, wide, or narrow, eyebrow shapes are part of natural variation and do not constitute a defect.
- Some people consider certain styles beautiful and do not regard them as flaws.
- Therefore, there is no legitimate need to alter them under the pretext of removing a deformity.
(By: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn رحمه الله)
