❀ 6 Fiqhi Rulings Regarding Women’s Facial Hair ❀
Derived from: Fatāwā ad-Dīn al-Khālis, Volume 1, Page 412
Question:
If a woman develops a beard or moustache on her face, is it permissible to shave or remove it?
Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
If a woman grows a beard or moustache on her face, it is permissible—and even recommended (mustaḥabb)—to shave or remove it. In this matter, the ruling for women is different from that for men.
In Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Volume 1, Page 139), Imām Nawawī رحمه الله states:
“Twelfth Issue: It is ḥarām for men to shave the beard, but if a woman grows a beard, then it is mustaḥabb for her to remove it.”
Further elaborating in Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Volume 2, Page 205), he adds:
“Yes, if a woman grows a beard or moustache, removing it is not ḥarām; rather, in our view, it is mustaḥabb.”
According to his opinion:
“It is not permissible for a woman to shave her beard or beard hair, nor is it permissible to shave her moustache, as her creation should not be altered through addition or subtraction.”
The stance of the majority of scholars is as previously stated:
It is mustaḥabb for a woman to remove her beard, moustache, and the hair under the lower lip (ʿanfaqah).
However, eyebrows and the hair around the face are a separate matter and not included under this ruling.
This matter also falls under the general principle:
“That which the Sharīʿah has remained silent upon is pardoned.”
(i.e., issues on which Sharīʿah has not given explicit prohibition and has remained silent are excused.)
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
Derived from: Fatāwā ad-Dīn al-Khālis, Volume 1, Page 412
✿ Issue: Ruling on Removing Beard or Moustache from a Woman's Face
Question:
If a woman develops a beard or moustache on her face, is it permissible to shave or remove it?
Answer:
Alḥamdulillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu was-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, Ammā baʿd!
If a woman grows a beard or moustache on her face, it is permissible—and even recommended (mustaḥabb)—to shave or remove it. In this matter, the ruling for women is different from that for men.
◈ Opinions of the Jurists (Fuqahā’)
✔ Imām Nawawī رحمه الله:
In Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Volume 1, Page 139), Imām Nawawī رحمه الله states:
“Twelfth Issue: It is ḥarām for men to shave the beard, but if a woman grows a beard, then it is mustaḥabb for her to remove it.”
Further elaborating in Sharḥ Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim (Volume 2, Page 205), he adds:
“Yes, if a woman grows a beard or moustache, removing it is not ḥarām; rather, in our view, it is mustaḥabb.”
◈ Opposing View
✔ Imām Ibn Jarīr رحمه الله:
According to his opinion:
“It is not permissible for a woman to shave her beard or beard hair, nor is it permissible to shave her moustache, as her creation should not be altered through addition or subtraction.”
◈ Majority Opinion of the Scholars (Jumhūr ʿUlamā’)
The stance of the majority of scholars is as previously stated:
It is mustaḥabb for a woman to remove her beard, moustache, and the hair under the lower lip (ʿanfaqah).
However, eyebrows and the hair around the face are a separate matter and not included under this ruling.
✦ General Principle Applied:
This matter also falls under the general principle:
“That which the Sharīʿah has remained silent upon is pardoned.”
(i.e., issues on which Sharīʿah has not given explicit prohibition and has remained silent are excused.)
ھذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
