Fatwa ID: 09107
Answered by Mufti Mohammad Ateiq-ur Rehman
Question:
What’s the ruling for removing the hair around the anus/butt hair?
Some answers about pubic hair don’t mention anything at all about anus hair and others mention that it should be removed as well.
Isn’t it dangerous to encourage people to cut anus hair considering there’s a high probability of someone cutting themselves with scissors or a trimmer/shaver considering they can’t see that area?
Then there’s a fear of the cut area getting infected…
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Answer:
Thank you for your question. May Allah Most High grant you understanding in matters of purity and protect you from harm.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
خَمْسٌ مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ الْخِتَانُ وَالاِسْتِحْدَادُ وَنَتْفُ الإِبْطِ وَتَقْلِيمُ الأَظْفَارِ وَقَصُّ الشَّارِبِ
“Five things are of the inborn characteristics of man: circumcision, shaving the pubes, plucking out hair under the armpit, paring the nails and clipping the moustaches.”
(Sunan Abi Dawud 4198)
The basis of this ruling is that removal of pubic hair (istihdad) is from the acts of fitrah (natural disposition) and is made compulsory for the purpose of cleanliness and removal of impurity. The jurists explain that the term ‘pubic hair’ is not restricted to a very narrow area, but includes the hair surrounding the private parts. For this reason, they explicitly mention the area around the anus as being included within this general meaning [1].
Accordingly, removing hair around the anus is permissible as part of maintaining proper hygiene. It is not treated as a separate, independent sunnah, but rather falls under the broader command of removing pubic hair. The reasoning for this is clear: hair in that area may retain traces of impurity after relieving oneself, and its removal assists in achieving proper cleanliness, which is a requirement for the validity of prayer [1].
As for the concern regarding harm, Islamic law is founded upon the principle that harm is not to be inflicted nor reciprocated. Therefore, while the removal of such hair is recommended, it is not required in a manner that causes harm or significant risk. If a person fears injury, they should adopt a safe method, as the objective of the Shari‘ah is cleanliness without harm. The means are flexible, while the principle remains.
In summary, removing hair around the anus is included within the general recommendation of removing pubic hair for cleanliness. However, one must take appropriate care, and no one is required to adopt a method that is unsafe or likely to cause harm.
Only Allah ﷻ knows best.
Written by Mufti Mohammad Ateiq-ur Rehman
Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah
Darul Ifta Birmingham
References:
[1]
ثم العانة هي الشعر الذي فوق الذكر وحواليه وحوالي فرجها ويستحب إزالة شعر الدبر خوفا من أن يعلق به شيء من النجاسة
كتاب حاشية الطحطاوي على مراقي الفلاح شرح نور الإيضاح p527