Fatwa ID: 04305

Answered by: Maulana Belaal Ahmed

Question

Assalamu Alaikum.

Is having a cut or slit on an eyebrow haram in Islam?

بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمنِ الرَّحِيْم

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Answer:

In regards to the above question, we see that in today's time, slitting the eyebrows has become a new trend and fashion symbol amongst our youngsters. The reason for the following is because it makes them feel cool and stand out in front of other friends etc.

Firstly, it is important to understand that in Islam, our greatest role model is our beloved prophet Muhammad (SAW). As Muslims, we should follow his lifestyle to become successful in this world and the hereafter. We should also try to avoid adopting things that resemble the non-believers in regards to appearance etc. This is mainly because it has clearly been mentioned in a Hadith of the Holy Prophet (SAW) that, "He who copies any people is one of them".[1] 

Secondly, in regards to having cut or slits in the eyebrows, there is a very famous Hadith:

"Allah has cursed those women who practice tattooing and those women who have themselves tattooed, and those women who get their hair removed from their eyebrows and faces (except the beard and the moustache), and those who make artificial spaces between their teeth for beauty, whereby they change Allah's creation."

In another narration, it is mentioned that Sayyidina Abdullah Ibn Masood (r.a) narrates that the Prophet of Allah (s.a.w ) has said, “Allah (SWT) has cursed those women who modify their eyebrows or ask others to do it for them."[2]

This above Hadith is a clear and stern warning to those who shape, pluck or modify their eyebrows in any way whatsoever.

In regards to the above two ahadith, we find that the ahadith are referring to women, however, the same ruling can apply and be implied to men. So in conclusion to all the above, it will be impermissible to have slits in the eyebrows.

Only Allah knows best

Written by Maulana Belaal Ahmed

Checked and approved by Mufti Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham