Question:
Salam, what is the ruling of piercings other than on the ears for a woman? Thank you.
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam. Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the countless blessings He has blessed us all with. Blessings and salutations to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, his wives, his family, companions and all those that follow his teachings to the day of judgement.
In regards to piercings of the ears, there is a hadith of the Prophet PBUH narrated by Imam Bukhari under the chapter of clothing. The hadith is from Ibnu Abbas RA:
أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى يَوْمَ الْعِيدِ رَكْعَتَيْنِ، لَمْ يُصَلِّ قَبْلَهَا وَلاَ بَعْدَهَا ثُمَّ أَتَى النِّسَاءَ وَمَعَهُ بِلاَلٌ فَأَمَرَهُنَّ بِالصَّدَقَةِ، فَجَعَلَتِ الْمَرْأَةُ تُلْقِي قُرْطَهَا
"The Prophet (ﷺ) offered a two-rak`at prayer on `Id day and he did not offer any (Nawafil prayer) before or after it. He then went towards the women, and Bilal was accompanying him, and ordered them to give alms. And so, the women started giving their earrings.”
Sahih al-Bukhari (5883)
Imam Ibnu Hajar al-Asqalani in his syarah state that the above hadith indicates that it is permissible to wear adornments (on one’s ears) or earrings for women. (Refer Fathul Al-Bari Syarah Sahih Al-Bukhari: 10/408)
Al-Syafieyah scholars have differing opinions regarding the issue of piercing one’s ears. Some ruled it permissible while others restrict it. This is different for baby boy where it is prohibited for it resembles a woman. Imam Ghazali holds the opinion, “It is impermissible for it is painful, unless it is for medicinal, cupping or circumcision purposes. Piercing is just an adornment and not vital.” (Refer Al-Mausuah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaitiyyah: 39/349)
Al-Imam Ahmad al-Malibari wrote in his hasyiah stating that his teacher ruled it permissible for a girl to pierce her ears and not boys. The reason is, according to the custom, it is the right for her since the previous times. (Refer Fathul Al-Muin bi Syarhi Qurratil Al-Ain: 1/592)
This is agreed by the majority of scholars as written in Mausuah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaitiyyah:
جُمْهُورُ الْفُقَهَاءِ عَلَى أَنَّ تَثْقِيبَ أُذُنِ الصَّغِيرَةِ لِتَعْلِيقِ الْقُرْطِ جَائِزٌ، فَقَدْ كَانَ النَّاسُ يَفْعَلُونَهُ فِي زَمَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ مِنْ غَيْرِ إِنْكَارٍ، فَعَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا
The majority of scholars agreed that it is permissible to pierce the ears of girls for the purpose of adornment. The reason is, most women in the time of the Prophet PBUH pierced their ears and the Prophet PBUH never prohibit it. This is mentioned in the hadith of Ibnu Abbas RA stated above. (Refer Al-Mausuah Al-Fiqhiyyah Al-Kuwaitiyyah: 11/272)
Extravagance in Adornment
Originally, adornment is permissible and this is stated in the commentary of al-Razi: “Indeed, every adornment is permissible unless there is an evidence (that prohibits it).” (Refer Fathul Al-Bayan Fi Maqasid Al-Quran: 3/311)
Even if adornment is originally permissible, as a Muslim on should never be excessive in anything, for it is disliked by Allah SWT. This is stated in the Quran:
وَلَا تُسْرِفُوا إِنَّهُ لَا يُحِبُّ الْمُسْرِفِينَ
“… but be not excessive. Indeed, He likes not those who commit excess.”
Surah al-A’raaf (31)
The same is stated by the Prophet PBUH where he prohibits us from being excessive in unbeneficial matters. From Abdullah bin Amru al-Ash, the Prophet PBUH said:
كُلُوا وَاشْرَبُوا وَتَصَدَّقُوا وَالْبَسُوا مَا لَمْ يُخَالِطْهُ إِسْرَافٌ أَوْ مَخِيلَةٌ
Eat and drink, give charity and wear clothes, as long as that does not involve any extravagance or vanity.”
Sunan Ibnu Majah (3605)
Conclusion
According to the above discussion, it is permissible to pierce one’s ears for women. However, the adornment can only be seen by the husband or her mahram for ears are a part of awrah and it is obligatory to cover the aurah.
Coming back to the issue of piercing body parts other than the ears, it is impermissible for it resembles the disbelievers and the fasiq. The Prophet PBUH prohibit his ummah to resemble the disbelievers, as stated by the hadith from Ibn Umar R.Anhuma, where the Prophet PBUH said:
مَنْ تَشَبَّهَ بِقَوْمٍ فَهُوَ مِنْهُمْ
“He who imitates any people (in their actions) is considered to be one of them.”
Sunan Abu Daud (4031)
Refer IRSYAD AL-HADITH SERIES-302: COMMENTARY OF HADITH ON TASYABBUH
Moreover, it is also considered as an extravagance or an excessive matter in adornment which is prohibited in Islam as stated in the above evidence presented above.
Wallahua’lam.