Assalamu Alaikum Wa Rahmatu ALLAH. There are so many interpretations on eybrow hair removal for women (Nams). Some scholars say it’s all right to only “clean” them, but some women take advantage of that fatwa and shape their eyebrows. It has become confusing, especially during these times. What is your opinion about cleaning the eyebrows and/or shaping them. And what is the true meaning of the hadith realated to eyebrow hair removal. Also, some girls fear discipline when not cleaning there eyebrows. For example, fearing she might not find a husband who will see her attractive, which might lead to little depression. Please explain this issue. Jazakum ALLAHU khairan.
All praise be to Allah, and may His blessings and peace be on the final messenger, Muhammad,
Firstly, we must establish that changing the creation of Allah is forbidden. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him) said,
” لَعَنَ اللَّهُ الْوَاشِمَاتِ وَالْمُوتَشِمَاتِ وَالْمُتَنَمِّصَاتِ وَالْمُتَفَلِّجَاتِ لِلْحُسْنِ ، الْمُغَيِّرَاتِ خَلْقَ اللَّه”
“May Allah curse the one who does tattoos and the one who has a tattoo done, the one who plucks eyebrows and the one who has her eyebrows plucked, and those who file teeth for the purpose of beautification, changing the creation of Allah.” (Agreed upon)
Secondly, any difference of shape that is well within the normal spectrum of human diversity and variation is to be considered beautiful. The Prophet (blessings and peace be upon him) saw a man dragging his garment because he was ashamed of his deformed legs, he (blessings and peace be upon him) said,
“ارفع إزارك فإن كل خلق الله حسن.”
“Raise your garment for all of the creation of Allah is beautiful.”
Thirdly, if the difference lies outside of the normal spectrum of human diversity, then it would be considered a disease, and may be addressed. It is the reasonable people who may judge whether a certain appearance is anomalous or part of what is normal. This applies to any part of the body, including noses, ears, fingers, as well as eyebrows. We should be at peace with how we look, and show gratitude to Allah for how he created us. The husband will not be deterred by the eyebrows that are within the spectrum of normal human diversity.
If one’s eyebrows are beyond the normal human diversity, she may thin them out. If they are within that normal human diversity, however, they distress her, she may dye them, or part of them, with a lighter color.
Finally, there is some difference of opinion regarding the thinning of the eyebrows, and some scholars allowed it with the husband’s acceptance. The opinion mentioned here is what I believe to be stronger.
Allah knows best.