Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

Please advise area of private parts which should be shaved. Please also advise that can a male use hair removing creams for removal of pubic hairs? 

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Answer:

Removal of Pubic hair

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Al-Muwatta Hadith 49.3

Yahya related to me from Malik from Said ibn Abi Said al-Maqburi from his father that Abu Hurayra heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say, "There are five things from the ‘fitra’ (nature): cutting the nails, trimming the moustache, removing the hair from the armpit, shaving the pubic region and circumcision."

Your Question: Please advise area of private parts which should be shaved.

The Arabic terms used in the hadith for ‘shaving the pubic region’ is ‘Halq ul aana’, and in the Arabic terminology ‘aana’ is the area immediately surrounding the private parts or pubic area.

In general circumstances it would be safe to say that the pubic area starts about 5-6 inches below the belly button. But if a person has a larger than normal tummy, the distance from the belly button to the pubic area may increase; but the pubic area itself would not increase or decrease.

Your Question: Please also advise that can a male use hair removing creams for removal of pubic hairs? 

There is absolutely no harm or restriction in Islam on how the excess pubic hair is removed. One may shave, cut, trim, pluck, use hair removal creams, or any method or means which are available and easy for the individual, regardless of whether male or female.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your Brother in Islam,

Burhan