❀ 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.
Is it permissible for a woman to remove or thin out eyebrow hair that causes facial disfigurement?
There are two situations regarding this issue:
✘ 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.
There is a difference of opinion among the scholars:
However, the better and safer opinion is to avoid it as well.
If uncommon or abnormal hair appears on a woman's face—for example:
Then removing such hair is permissible, as it is considered against the natural norm and is a cause of disfigurement.
(By: Shaykh Muhammad ibn Ṣāliḥ al-‘Uthaymīn رحمه الله)
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)
