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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

I am a muslim woman, married with 2 kids. After performing Haj I have tried to become a better muslim by bringing positive changes in my life and therefore I wear a full dress Hijab or Abaya whenever I am outdoors.

My question is about shaping eye brows for women, as I have been told that its haram and this act is prohibited in Islam. I would like to know in detail is it really so? and why is it not allowed? is it because women look more beautiful when they shape their eye brows and this can cause gaining un wanted attention from other non mehram men. If this is the case then if a woman wears a full face niqaab then she can shape her eye brows or not?

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Answer:

Eyebrow allowed if wearing niqab

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Sahih Al-Bukhari  7.815   Narrated by Abdullah

Allah has cursed those women who practice tattooing and those who get themselves tattooed, and those who remove their eye-brow hairs, and those who create a space between their teeth artificially to look beautiful, and such women as change the features created by Allah.  Why then should I not curse those whom the Prophet (saws) has cursed?

The Messenger of Allah (saws) pronounced the curse of Allah on the women who remove or shape their eye-brow hairs.  Although the exact reason or wisdom behind the prohibition for women shaping their eye brow hairs is not explained in the hadith, it would be safe to assume that one amongst them would be that is makes them appear more attractive to non-mehram men. 

The scholars and the jurists in Islam are unanimous in their opinion that every believing woman who fears Allah and the Last Day must abstain from shaping their eye-brow hairs, regardless of whether she wears the 'naqaab' or only the 'hijaab'.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is only ones. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brothers and well wishers in Islam,

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