Jamiatul Ulama KZN Council of Muslim Theologians
Nasihah (Advice): Cleanliness is half of Imaan
Sayyiduna Abu Malik Ash’ari Radhiyallahu Anhu reported that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi wa Sallam said, “Cleanliness is half of Imaan and Alhamdulillah fills the scale, and Subhanallah and Alhamdulillah together fill what is between the heavens and the earth, and Salaah is light, and charity is proof (of one’s faith) and Sabr (patience) is a brightness and the Qur’an is a proof on your behalf or against you.” (Sahih Muslim)
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Question and Answer:
- How often should a woman trim the hair under her arms and in the pubic area? Is it every 40 days or after each menstruation when Fardh ghusl is required?
- A. It is Mustahab (recommended) to remove the pubic hair every seven days. It is also permissible to delay this to fifteen days. However, beyond forty days is Makrooh Tahrimi and sinful. [Shaami 6/407 – Tahtaawi 524]
The same ruling applies to males and females.
Consider the following Ahaadeeth:
Sayyiduna Abu Huraira (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam said, “Five practices are of Fitrah (Natural traits of a Human being): circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, clipping the nails and trimming the moustache short.” [Sahih Bukhari #5889]
Sayyiduna Anas (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam stipulated the time for trimming the moustache, clipping the nails, plucking the armpit hair, shaving the private parts, that it should not exceed forty days. [Sahih Muslim #258]
Women are permitted to remove their pubic hair at any time within the time frame mentioned above. They are not required to wait for the termination or passing of the monthly cycle.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui
Mufti Taahir Hansa
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
Council of Muslim Theologians
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Email: fatwa@jamiat.org.za
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