Question:
I know plucking the eyebrows is haram. Can I shave, dye them blonde, or cut/trim them?
Answer:
Praise be to Allah.
Firstly: The ruling on plucking the eyebrows
The prohibition of plucking the eyebrows is established in the authentic Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Allah has cursed the woman who plucks eyebrows and the one for whom that is done.”
(Narrated by al-Bukhārī and Muslim)
This hadith applies to both plucking and any form of deliberate removal that changes the natural appearance of the eyebrows for beautification. Scholars from all four Sunni madhāhib agree that plucking the eyebrows is haram when done for beautification. However, some nuances exist between the schools concerning shaving, trimming, or altering the eyebrows by other means.
Secondly: The ruling according to the four Sunni madhāhib
In the Ḥanafī school, plucking the eyebrows is haram, as it falls under changing the creation of Allah and imitating sinful practices. However, some late Ḥanafī scholars, such as Ibn ʿĀbidīn, permitted light trimming or shaping if it is done with the husband’s approval and not excessive. If the eyebrow hair becomes unusually thick or long in a way that causes harm or appears abnormal, then removing the excess is allowed to restore a natural appearance, not for beautification.
The Mālikī madhhab generally holds a more lenient position. Some Mālikī scholars allowed the plucking or shaping of the eyebrows when they are abnormal, provided that it is not done during times when beautification is impermissible—such as during mourning (ʿiddah) or in Ihram. They do not view it as changing Allah’s creation in a prohibited manner, particularly if done to please one’s spouse or maintain a clean appearance.
The Shāfiʿī school considers plucking, shaving, or trimming the eyebrows for beautification purposes to be haram. According to their view, the means—whether plucking or cutting—does not change the ruling, as the objective is the same: altering the natural appearance for adornment. They make an exception only in the case of abnormal hair growth resembling a man’s beard or moustache on a woman’s face. But they do not permit altering the eyebrows themselves.
The Ḥanbalī scholars also prohibit plucking the eyebrows, based on the same textual evidence. However, they distinguish between plucking and shaving or trimming. Some Hanbalī scholars held that shaving or trimming is not the same as plucking and is not included in the hadith of nāmisa, so they allowed trimming if it does not alter the shape in a significant way. Nevertheless, the core Hanbalī position is still caution and avoidance, except in cases of clear necessity or abnormality.
Thirdly: Dyeing the eyebrows
As for changing the color of the eyebrows—such as dyeing them blonde—this is not included in the prohibition of nams (plucking), as it does not involve removing hair or altering its shape. All four madhāhib consider coloring the eyebrows permissible, provided that it does not lead to imitation of immoral people and is not done out of vanity or arrogance. If the coloring is done in moderation, for beautification within a permissible context (such as for one’s husband) it is allowed.
Plucking the eyebrows is haram according to all four schools of thought. As for shaving or trimming them, the Shāfiʿī and most Ḥanafī scholars also consider that to be prohibited when done for beautification. However, the Mālikī and some Ḥanbalī scholars allow shaving or trimming, especially in cases of excess or to please one’s spouse. If the eyebrows are unusually thick or long and cause harm or distortion, then removing the excess to restore their normal appearance is permitted across the schools. Dyeing the eyebrows is permissible in all four madhāhib, so long as it does not lead to prohibited imitation or vanity.
And Allah knows best.