Question:
Assalamualaikum, I want to ask what is the ruling for a bride or groom to be to do a Brazilian wax to remove their pubic hair at the spa?
Answer:
Waalaikumussalam wbt,
Alhamdulillah, praise and thanks to Allah for the many 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.
Generally, removing or shaving is a part of nature in Islam. Furthermore, it is a sanctioned action according to what has been stated in a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
الْفِطْرَةُ خَمْسٌ ـ أَوْ خَمْسٌ مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ ـ الْخِتَانُ، وَالاِسْتِحْدَادُ، وَنَتْفُ الإِبْطِ، وَتَقْلِيمُ الأَظْفَارِ، وَقَصُّ الشَّارِبِ
"Five practices are characteristics of the Fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic region, clipping the nails and cutting the moustaches short."
Sahih al-Bukhari (5889)
When scholars commented on the word الاِسْتِحْدَادُ (al-Istihdad) from the above hadith, the meaning is: “shaving the pubic region.” This is as stated by Imam al-Nawawi Rahimahullah where he said: “Istihdad is shaving of pubic region, which is the hairs that grow in the area.” See Tahrir Alfazh al-Tanbih, Al-Nawawi (pg. 253).
While Imam al-Nafrawi from among the jurists of madhhab Maliki state that it also includes hairs that grow in the area of the anus. Refer Al-Fawakih Al-Dawani, Al-Nafrawi (2/306).
Referring to the question asked, Brazilian wax or also known as Bro-zilian and Boy-zilian which means ‘a cosmetic treatment that involves the complete removal of hairs that grow in the pubic area for a man through the process of waxing.’
Whereas the Wikipedia defined waxing as “Waxing is a method of semi-permanent hair removal from their roots using a wax-based substance where the waxed part will be clean-shaven for several weeks – of up to 4 to 6 weeks – however, the hairs will be able to grow again because of the different growth cycle.”
Considering today’s situation, the process of Brazilian wax is a form of charged-service for those who wish to perform it. Thus, indirectly there will be two parties involve or specifically two individuals; which are the customer and the staff (people responsible for the service) who provide the service.
Referring to the question of performing Brazilian wax with the purpose of removing pubic hair, there are several implications that arise which we detail in several points:
First: The Issue of Awrah
The word awrah refers to any parts of the body for a man or a woman that is haram to be exposed. It is defined as body parts that are wajib to be covered and cannot be seen. According to Imam al-Khatib al-Syarbini, awrah means anything that is haram to be seen. See Mughni al-Muhtaj, Al-Khatib al-Syarbini (1/185)
It is generally known that awrah for a man in front of another man is between the navel and the knees. Imam al-Nawawi said:
الصحيح المنصوص أنها ما بين السرة والركبة ، وليست السرة والركبة من العورة
The sahih opinion from syarak evidences states the awrah of man is between the navel and the knees and the navel or knees themselves are not included as awrah. See Al-Majmu’, Al-Nawawi (3/173)
Thus, it is haram for a man to look at another man’s awrah. This is in accordance with the prohibition of it in a hadith narrated by Abu Sa’id al-Khudri RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
لاَ يَنْظُرُ الرَّجُلُ إِلَى عَوْرَةِ الرَّجُلِ
“A man should not see the private parts of another man,”
Sahih Muslim (338)
The same is for the awrah of a woman with other women, where it is stated by jurists to be between the navel and knees. And there is also a prohibition for a woman to look at the awrah of another woman. This is as narrated by Abu Said al-Khudri RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
وَلاَ الْمَرْأَةُ إِلَى عَوْرَةِ الْمَرْأَةِ
“…and a woman should not see the private parts of another woman,”
Sahih Muslim (338)
Hence, if the staff who performs the Brazilian wax is a man for a male customer or a woman for a female customer, surely, the awrah would be exposed and this is prohibited. Thus, the prohibition would be even greater if it involves staff and customer of opposite genders.
Second: The Issue of Khalwah (Being alone with the opposite gender)
Among the matters that should be considered in the process of Brazilian wax is the isolation process of two people of opposite genders. Furthermore, if it is performed inside a specified room that will only be occupied by the staff and customer. This matter is prohibited by syarak according to a hadith narrated by Ibn Abbas RA, where the Prophet PBUH said:
لاَ يَخْلُوَنَّ رَجُلٌ بِامْرَأَةٍ إِلاَّ وَمَعَهَا ذُو مَحْرَمٍ
" No person (man) should be alone with a woman except when there is a Mahram with her."
Sahih Muslim (1341)
Imam al-Nawawi Rahimahullah when commenting on the above hadith said: The meaning of this hadith is: “A man is not supposed to be alone with a woman unless the mahram is present. And if an ajnabi man is alone with an ajnabiyyah woman without a third person present, then it is prohibited as agreed by scholars. The same ruling applies if the woman is together with someone with whom they are not shy of due to the person being so young, for example, a child of two or three years old is the same as if there is no one else is present with them.” Refer Syarah Sahih Muslim, Al-Nawawi (9/109).
If there are some who relates the Brazilian wax service is similar with the situation between a doctor and a patient of the opposite gender, then we would like to state that there are several differences between the issues.
The reason is, the issue of a doctor and a patient of the opposite gender is permissible for the treatment process cannot be performed by the patient himself. The same for the treatment process that involves other medical personnel that would also be present at the place.
It is similar to the issue of cupping; it is only permissible for it to be done by a man for a woman if there is no other woman who is able to do it. Moreover, it is followed by several other conditions as stated below:
- There is a need and dharurah for the treatment through cupping.
- Khalwah (isolation) between a man and a woman does not happen. A mahram for either the man or the woman must be present during the treatment.
- The man who is responsible for the cupping process is not permitted to touch the body of the woman. Consequently, he should be wearing gloves.
This is different with Brazilian wax where a person is able to do it at home, for wax is sold in the market and a person could just buy it and do it himself at his own house. Furthermore, it is safer in terms of not exposing one’s awrah as well as getting involved in khalwah. Even if Brazilian wax cannot be performed at home, a person could remove his pubic hair by shaving as it has been normally done before.
Conclusion
To close, we would like to state if the Brazilian wax is done and there is the exposure of awrah to another person, especially as it involves the removal of pubic hair, then it is haram. As for Brazilian wax that only involves the removal of hair on one’s thighs, arms or chest, then it is permissible if it is performed by a staff of the same gender.
The issue of the removal of body hairs on one’s arms, chest and others have been discussed thoroughly in the article: Irsyad al-Fatwa Series 177: The Ruling of Shaving Legs for Man and Woman which can be accessed through the link http://bit.ly/2WEa9sh
Lastly, may Allah SWT give us the correct understanding in this religion. Amin.