Islamic Culture

FITRAH PART 8: Shaving the pubic hair

Shaving the pubic hair which is also called Istihdaad is Sunnah due to the preceding Hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (ra): “The (acts of) Fitrah are ten: …and shaving the pubic hair…” recorded by Muslim and others, and also due to the previously mentioned Hadeeth related from Abu Hurairah (ra): “The (acts of) Fitrah are five: ….and Istihdaad (shaving the pubic hair)…” as recorded by Muslim, Al-Bukhaari and Ahmad.

In addition to what was related from a man from Banu Ghifaar that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم said: “The one who does not shave his pubic hair, cut his nails and shorten his moustache is not from us” as recorded by Ahmad with a Sanad As-Suyooti classified as Hasan. And the unspecified man is a Sahaabi and not knowing the Sahaabi does not cause harm (weakness) because all of the Sahaabah are ‘Udool.

And shaving the pubic hair, plucking it, removing it with lime or arsenic are all permitted as long as the aim is fulfilled which is the removal of the hair and cleaning the place.

It was said to Ahmad Bin Hanbal: “What is your opinion of a man that cuts down below with scissors and he does not cut it all off? He said: I hope that is sufficient by the will of Allah. It was said: O Abu Abdullah what do you say about a man who plucks his pubic hair? He said: And does anyone have the strength to do this?” And this is correct because the majority of people would not be able to tolerate the pain of plucking the pubic hair. The important matter therefore is the removal of the hair and that which removes it is permitted to be used and to fulfil this Mandoob act. We do not find the need here to use as evidence the Hadeeth related by Ibn Maajah amongst others that state that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم used lime as this Hadeeth is Da’eef and unnecessary.