Question
I went through a few pages of your website and it was amazing to find that how many of my misconception were cleared. There was this one particular question about shaving pubic hair. I am certain that we need to shave them but what is unclear to me is that what is the pubic hair. In many other Islamic websites they say it is the hair from beneath the navel, and while shaving we need to start on the right hand side. Is this true to cut it from right beneath the navel? And out of these 8 what do we need to shave?
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Penis
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Scrotum
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Anus
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Thighs – the part around the penis and scrotum and their extent as some say we need to go down till the knees
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The area in between the scrotum and the anus
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The hips near the anus and the part further away
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The area which is not the penis itself but around it
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The part which is below the belly button and above the penis
Please divide them in five categories if u may which areas are:
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Sunnah (as u say what is practiced and promoted by the prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him),
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Recommended or suggested (as I have heard for the area around the anus as it may get defiled during defecation)
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Choice (as shaving or not shaving does not matter)
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Disliked (as it is not recommended)
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Forbidden (as it is specifically told to refrain from)
Please do tell me about shaving each of the 8 areas that I have mentioned with details and if for some reason you don’t provide the detail please indicate with “yes” or “no” to each one of the eight (8) areas as my question is more about the areas to shave not whether no shave or not as I am definite that we need to shave the pubic area.
Answer
Assalam-U-Alaikum, I’m glad that you are finding this website helpful. Indeed, giving a clear understanding of Islam is what we are trying to achieve. May the Almighty enable us to do so successfully!
Coming to your question, all Islam requires for you to do is to remove your pubic hair like you would remove the hair in and around the armpits. You would do so to such extent that you feel comfortable with. You do not have to start shaving down to the knees, the anus or the thighs. These are not really parts of the pubic area. The area from which the pubic hair should be removed is mainly the part above your genital organ and around it. While removing these pubic hairs you do not need to start from the right. Shortening hair on the penis and scrotum can also be done. The pubic hairs are to be removed for the same reason as the removal of the hair around the armpits. It is part of the hygiene that the Prophet (PBUH) promoted as a Sunnah. However, the exact detail as to how far we remove our pubic hair is left to the individual to decide.
You requested:
Please divide them in five categories if u may which are which areas are a) sunnah (as u say what is practiced and promoted by the prophet (may Allah’s peace and blessing be upon him), b) recommended or suggested (as I have heard for the area around the anus as it may get defiled during defecation) c) choice (as shaving or not shaving does not matter) d) disliked (as it is not recommended) e) forbidden (as it is specifically told to refrain from)
I have now explained what removing the pubic hair means and this directive falls under the first category (a); it is a directive of the Sunnah. Anything beside this requirement will then be done out of your own choice.
Please, go through my answer slowly and carefully and you should find that your questions are all answered.
I hope this helps. But do not worry if anything remains unclear. You are more than welcome to come back to us with further queries or any unanswered questions.
I hope that I have clarified the issue,
Allah (SWT) knows best,
Assalam-U-Alaikum