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:

Dear Brother

I want to clarify myself on the following topic:

Is it permitted in Islam for a woman to wax the hairs on her arms and legs and other parts of body. If it is permitted, can be done by hiring another woman who would do it for some money.

Thanks and regards

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Answer:

Satr of woman

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 none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: Is it permitted in Islam for a woman to wax the hairs on her arms and legs and other parts of body.

Sahih Al-Bukhari Hadith 7.779 Narrated by Abu Huraira

I heard the Prophet (saws) saying. "Five practices are characteristics of the Fitra (nature): removing the pubic hair, clipping the nails, depilating the hair of the armpits; and circumcision and cutting the moustaches short (for the males)

Both the believing men and the believing women are obliged to remove their unwanted hair from their pubic region and from under their armpits. One may use any means or method to remove the unwanted hair as they will or is convenient for them, including clipping, cutting, shaving, waxing, hair removal cream, etc.

Your Question: If it is permitted, can be done by hiring another woman who would do it for some money.

Beloved Sister in Islam, the scholars of the four major schools of thought are unanimous in their opinion that the absolutely minimum ‘satr’ of the believing woman, or her body parts which she is not to expose to absolutely anyone (except her husband) is from the beginning of her breasts to her knees (inclusive).

It would be permissible and lawful for a believing woman to hire or request another woman to remove her unwanted hair from the parts of her body which do not form part of her minimum ‘satr’ (above the very beginning of her breasts and below the ending of her knees); but it would be absolutely prohibited and unlawful for a believing woman to expose any part of her body which forms her ‘satr’ to another person (except her husband alone).

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 and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan