Question:-
Is it Makrooh or Haraam to shape the eyebrows? Please provide the Shari’ee ruling!
Answer:-
Trimming and shaping the eyebrows on the basis of fashion is not permitted in Shariah. It is recorded in the commentary of Abu Dawud Sharif that changing the natural creation of Allah Ta’ala (which includes shaping of the eyebrows) is Haraam, and it is for this reason that those that trim the eyebrows (in the form of a thin line or something similar) are cursed by Allah Ta’ala.
وقد حرم الاسلام تغير خلق الله فلعن الواصلة والمستوصلة والنامصة والمتنمصة والواشمة والمستوشمة (شرح سنن ابي داود لعبد المحسن العباد ص269 ج23)
However, if the eyebrows become extremely thick and as a result block one’s vision and sight, then Shariah has permitted one to trim the eyebrows whereby one’s vision is no longer impaired.
Similarly, some Ulama have stated that if the eyebrows become extremely thick and untidy, which is considered as a defect and generally disliked by people, then trimming the eyebrows to attain neatness is permitted. [Re:- Fataawa Darul Uloom Zakariyya Pg. Page.317 Vol.7] This is generally the case with elderly people and not young people, hence the ruling will be applicable to the elderly to a greater extent.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 21 Jumad-al-Ula 1443 / 26 December 2021
