2 Sharʿī Evidences for Women Using a Razor
Source: Fatāwā ad-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Volume 1, Page 414
Topic: Is it permissible for women to use a razor for pubic hair removal?
Answer:
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, and blessings and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
Yes, it is permissible for women to use a razor for cleaning pubic hair, and there are multiple Sharʿī evidences supporting its permissibility, as detailed below:
➊ First Evidence: Ḥadīth of Jābir (رضي الله عنه)
Narrated by Jābir (رضي الله عنه):
“When we reached Madinah and were about to enter our homes, the Prophet ﷺ said:
‘Wait, we will enter at night, that is, at the time of ʿIshāʾ, so that the disheveled women may comb their hair, and those whose husbands are absent may use the razor for cleanliness.’”
(Bukhari 1/760, Muslim 1/474, Mishkāt 2/267)
This explicitly proves the permissibility of women using a razor, particularly for pubic hair removal.
➋ Assessing the Objection Against Using a Razor
Some individuals object to women using a razor, claiming that medical experts state it increases sexual desire.
However, this reasoning is not valid in Shariah, because:
After the permission granted by the Prophet ﷺ, it is impermissible to prohibit something based on a non-Sharʿī rationale.
➌ Second Evidence: Statement of ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها)
Narrated by ʿAbd al-Raḥmān ibn Aswad:
“Before I reached puberty, my father used to send me to ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها).
When I reached puberty, I called from outside and asked:
‘What causes ghusl to become obligatory?’
She replied:
‘When the areas where razors are used come into contact.’”
(Dāraqutnī 2/242, Ṭaḥāwī 2/48)
This narration is also reported in al-Ṭabaqāt by Ibn Saʿd and al-Tārīkh al-Kabīr by al-Bukhārī. The narrators in this chain are trustworthy.
The direct hearing (samāʿ) of ʿAbd al-Raḥmān from ʿĀ’ishah (رضي الله عنها) is confirmed, as clarified by Dāraqutnī.
➍ Statements of Jurists
Imām Nawawī (رحمه الله) states:
“The word istihdād refers to the use of iron (i.e., a razor) for cleaning pubic hair. The intent is the removal of hair by any means, but razor use is the original and explicit form.”
(Sharḥ Muslim 1/474)
In Nayl al-Awṭār (1/123), this point is also affirmed.
هَذَا مَا عِنْدِي، وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَاب
