I am a recent convert and confused about shaving my pubic area. Does this mean that I should shave scrotum and the anal area also? Is plucking the hairs better than shaving? Is this also true for the under-arms? How often should I do this to these areas?

According to the Sunnah of the Prophet  (pbuh) every adult Muslim, as a part of keeping his/her body clean, should remove the hair on his pubic area and that, which grows under his armpits. This hair may be removed through any method that one feels comfortable with. A person should not let this hair grow for more than (around) forty days, as has been reported in a number of narratives ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh).

The ultimate objective of all Islamic teachings is to cleanse the human body, soul and mind. According to the Qur'an , only those people shall qualify for the everlasting bliss in the hereafter, who try to cleanse themselves during the life of this world. Your question pertains to that part of Islamic teachings that relates with the cleansing of the human body, and therefore requires a cautious attitude on our part.

11^th February 1999