❖ Definition and Importance:
The hair around the private parts — both for men and women — is referred to as "mo’e zair nāf" (pubic hair). Removing this hair is part of fitrah (natural disposition), and medically it also offers several hygienic benefits.
❖ Time Frame for Hair Removal:
There is no minimum duration specified for removing pubic hair, but the maximum allowed period is forty days. It is not permissible to exceed this limit.
Anas (رضي الله عنه) reported:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ fixed a time for us for trimming the mustache, clipping the nails, plucking the armpit hair, and shaving the pubic hair — that it should not be left for more than forty nights."
— Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (258)
❖ Scholarly Consensus and Warnings:
❖ Cleaning Around the Back Passage (دُبُر):
Though there is no direct narration, scholars recommend cleaning the hair around the anal area too, for hygiene.
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported:
"Five practices are from fitrah: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, plucking the armpit hair, clipping the nails, and trimming the mustache."
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (5889), Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (257)
❖ Special Cases:
① If someone is ill or unable to remove the hair, they are not sinful, as they are not legally accountable.
② Asking others (e.g., spouse or servant) to do it is not appropriate due to privacy and dignity concerns.
③ Before anticipated death, one may clean the body as Sahabi Khubayb (رضي الله عنه) did.
④ Hair on the testicles (خصیتین) should also be removed.
⑤ Removing hair from the navel to knees is not necessary — it’s an unnecessary burden.
⑥ Left hand should be used for hair removal unless constrained.
⑦ Washing or taking a bath after shaving is optional, not legislated.
⑧ The belief that food becomes haram if the 40-day limit is exceeded has no basis in Shariʿah — though it is sinful to delay.
⑨ Hair may be cut due to necessity, but shaving is Sunnah.
The hair around the private parts — both for men and women — is referred to as "mo’e zair nāf" (pubic hair). Removing this hair is part of fitrah (natural disposition), and medically it also offers several hygienic benefits.
❖ Time Frame for Hair Removal:
There is no minimum duration specified for removing pubic hair, but the maximum allowed period is forty days. It is not permissible to exceed this limit.
Anas (رضي الله عنه) reported:
"The Messenger of Allah ﷺ fixed a time for us for trimming the mustache, clipping the nails, plucking the armpit hair, and shaving the pubic hair — that it should not be left for more than forty nights."
— Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (258)
❖ Scholarly Consensus and Warnings:
- Fatāwā ʿĀlamgīrī: Recommends weekly grooming; delay beyond 40 days is not excused and incurs divine warning.
- Ibn ʿĀbidīn ash-Shāmī: Declares neglect beyond 40 days to be makrūh taḥrīmī (strongly disliked to the point of sin).
❖ Cleaning Around the Back Passage (دُبُر):
Though there is no direct narration, scholars recommend cleaning the hair around the anal area too, for hygiene.
- Ibn Ḥajar (رحمه الله):
"It is recommended to remove hair from both front and back private areas, especially the back to avoid stool getting stuck."
— Fatḥ al-Bārī (10/343) - Ibn ʿĀbidīn:
"Hair near the front and back private areas should be removed to avoid impurities sticking during istinjā’."
— Fatāwā Shāmī (2/481)
- Use of razors or creams is allowed.
- Modern tools like disposable razors or hair removal creams are effective and safe, especially for individuals with conditions like diabetes or obesity.
- Avoid creams with harsh chemicals that may cause skin discoloration.
Abū Hurayrah (رضي الله عنه) reported:
"Five practices are from fitrah: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, plucking the armpit hair, clipping the nails, and trimming the mustache."
— Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī (5889), Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (257)
❖ Special Cases:
① If someone is ill or unable to remove the hair, they are not sinful, as they are not legally accountable.
② Asking others (e.g., spouse or servant) to do it is not appropriate due to privacy and dignity concerns.
③ Before anticipated death, one may clean the body as Sahabi Khubayb (رضي الله عنه) did.
④ Hair on the testicles (خصیتین) should also be removed.
⑤ Removing hair from the navel to knees is not necessary — it’s an unnecessary burden.
⑥ Left hand should be used for hair removal unless constrained.
⑦ Washing or taking a bath after shaving is optional, not legislated.
⑧ The belief that food becomes haram if the 40-day limit is exceeded has no basis in Shariʿah — though it is sinful to delay.
⑨ Hair may be cut due to necessity, but shaving is Sunnah.
