Praise be to Allah.
Is it permissible for men to remove hair from the beard?
It is not permissible for a man to remove anything from his beard because of the many Hadiths which enjoin leaving it alone and letting it grow. The definition of the beard is that which grows on the jawbones, cheeks and chin.
Can men pluck hair from the forehead or between eyebrows?
As for hair other than that, such as the hair that grows on the forehead and between the eyebrows , there is nothing wrong with removing it according to some scholars.
Others are of the view that it is not allowed, especially if it is removed by plucking, with a thread or otherwise.
What is Namas?
The reason for the difference of opinion is the difference of opinion about the meaning of the word Namas (plucking) which is mentioned in the Hadith which curses the one who does that.
Some of them interpreted it as specific to the eyebrows and some interpreted it as including all facial hair. Namas is prohibited for both men and women, because it is changing the creation of Allah, and there is no difference between men and women in this case.
- The first view – which is that Namas applies only to the eyebrows – was held by a number of scholars, and the scholars of the Standing Committee issued Fatwas on that basis. They stated that it is permissible to remove facial hair apart from the beard and eyebrows.
- The second view – which is that Namas refers to removal of all facial hair – was held by many scholars and was favoured by Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymin (may Allah have mercy on him), who said it is not allowed for men to pluck hair from their faces.
He (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked): What is the ruling on plucking grey hairs from the hair and beard?
He replied:
“With regard to the beard or facial hair it is prohibited, because this is Namas. Namas means plucking the facial hair, of which the beard is a part, and it was proven that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) cursed the woman who plucks facial hair and the woman who has that done. We say to this man: if you were to look for every hair that has turned white and pluck it out, you would have no beard left. So leave what Allah has created as He created it and do not pluck anything.
But if it refers to plucking hair from the head, it does not reach the level of being prohibited, because that is not Namas.” (Fatawa Ash-Shaykh Ibn `Uthaymin, 11/123)
It seems – and Allah knows best – that Namas refers specifically to removing hair from the eyebrows. Based on that, there is nothing wrong with a man removing hair from his face other than the beard and eyebrows.
And Allah knows best.
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