❖ Sharʿī Guidance on Facial Hair in Women
Source: Fatāwā Arkān-e-Islām
◈ The Question:
What is the ruling regarding a woman removing facial hair other than her eyebrows? Please explain in the light of the Qur’an and Sunnah.
① Human Creation Is Based on Natural Perfection
Allah ﷻ states in the Qur’an:
﴿وَلَقَدْ خَلَقْنَا الإِنسَانَ فِي أَحْسَنِ تَقْوِيمٍ﴾
(Al-Tīn: 4)
“Indeed, We created man in the best of stature.”
This verse emphasizes that human beings are created in a beautiful, natural form. Hence, altering this form without legitimate need is impermissible.② Limits of Bodily Alteration in Islam
◈ Islam teaches both men and women to maintain their God-given physical features.
◈ Each gender is created with distinct traits and natural identity.
◈ Altering those features without reason is considered a violation of divine design.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"He is not one of us who imitates women among men or men among women."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Jāmiʿ al-Ṣaghīr: 5434)
This ḥadīth clearly condemns unjustified alterations or imitation between genders, deeming it impermissible.③ Facial Hair in Men: A Natural Trait
◈ For men, having a beard is part of their natural masculine identity.
◈ If a man lacks a beard naturally, it is permissible to use treatment to stimulate growth, as this is restoring the natural form, not changing it.
④ Facial Hair in Women and Eyebrows
◈ Women are naturally free from beards and moustaches, and this is their fitrah (natural disposition).
◈ Eyebrows are part of this natural creation and should not be altered.
The Prophet ﷺ cursed those who change their features:
"May Allah curse the women who pluck eyebrows, file teeth, and tattoo themselves, altering the creation of Allah."
(Sunan al-Nasā’ī: 5108)
This shows that:➤ Plucking or thinning the eyebrows is ḥarām (forbidden).
➤ It falls under the category of unlawful alteration of Allah’s creation.
⑤ Unnatural Hair Growth on a Woman’s Face
If a woman experiences unusual hair growth, such as a beard or moustache:
◈ It is considered unnatural and contrary to her fitrah.
◈ In such cases, removing or treating the hair is permissible, whether by shaving, threading, or medication.
◈ This is viewed as a return to natural form, not a prohibited alteration.
Hence, such removal does not fall under the cursed category of changing Allah’s creation.✔ Summary of Rulings
➊ Unnatural facial hair (e.g., beard or moustache on a woman) may be removed.
➋ Eyebrow plucking, shaping, or thinning is explicitly forbidden and invokes divine curse.
➌ Any unjustified change to Allah’s natural creation is impermissible.
➍ Islam upholds natural human dignity and distinctiveness, and alterations without reason are condemned.
وَبِاللّٰهِ التَّوْفِيق
