Fatwa ID: 08936
Answered by Alimah Hajirah Shah
Question:
Is waxing and plucking hair of the arm pits same? Sunnawise.
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Removing the hair from the armpits and private parts is one of the actions of fitra (natural disposition) [1].
The hair should not be left to remain for more than forty days, if forty days pass removing the hair becomes obligatory.
In terms of methods of hair removal, it is permissible to use any means available, via plucking, waxing, shaving or using depilatory creams [2]. Plucking is what was recommended by the Prophet (SAW) but shaving is also permissible. Although the Sunnah specifically mentions plucking, waxing is also permissible and fulfils the objective of removing the hair.
Only Allah ﷻ knows best.
Written by Alimah Hajirah Shah
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1]
وَفِي الْهِدَايَةِ ذَكَرَ فِي الْإِبْطَيْنِ الْحَلْقَ هُنَا، وَفِي الْأَصْلِ النَّتْفُ، وَهُوَ السُّنَّةُ، وَفِي النِّهَايَةِ، وَأَمَّا الْعَانَةُ فَالسُّنَّةُ فِيهَا الْحَلْقُ لِمَا جَاءَ فِي الْحَدِيثِ «عَشْرٌ مِنْ السُّنَّةِ مِنْهَا الِاسْتِحْدَادُ» وَتَفْسِيرُهُ: حَلْقُ الْعَانَةِ بِالْحَدِيدِ.
Zayd al-Deen ibn Nujaym, Bahr al-Raa’iq, Pg 11, Vol 3, Kitaab Hajj.
[2]
وَقِيلَ يُسَنُّ حَلْقُ جَمِيعِ مَا عَلَى الْقُبُلِ وَالدُّبُرِ وَحَوْلَهُمَا وَيَحْصُلُ أَصْلُ السُّنَّةِ بِأَيِّ وَجْهٍ كَانَ مِنْ الْحَلْقِ وَالْقَصِّ وَالنَّتْفِ وَاسْتِعْمَالِ النُّورَةِ إذْ الْمَقْصُودُ حُصُولُ النَّظَافَةِ إلَّا أَنَّ الْأَحْسَنَ فِي هَذِهِ السُّنَّةِ الْحَلْقُ بِالْمُوسَى؛ لِأَنَّهُ أَنْظَفُ كَذَا فِي حَاشِيَةِ نُوحٍ أَفَنْدِي.
Zayd al-Deen ibn Nujaym, Bahr al-Raa’iq, Pg 11, Vol 3, Kitaab Hajj.