Are Men Permitted to Slit Their Eyebrows?
Answered by Shaykh Irshaad Sedick
Question
Can a man slit his eyebrows to mimic a scar to look rugged or more manly? And not in a desire to imitate the disbelievers?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate.
May Allah alleviate our difficulties and guide us to that which is pleasing to Him. Amin.
Slit eyebrows and looking rugged are not manly signs in Islam. The prohibition against removing eyebrows applies to both genders in Islam, and Allah knows best. [Al-Mawsu’a Al-Fiqhiyya]
The Best Example
Muslims have the best man and the best of Allah’s creation, Prophet Muhammad (Allah bless him and give him peace), as an exemplary role model. Muslims should not imitate nor admire the practices of those who have not been blessed with his Divinely-inspired way of life (Allah bless him and give him peace).
Allah says, “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah, you have an excellent example for whoever has hope in Allah and the Last Day and remembers Allah often.” [Quran, 33:21]
What Makes Men?
Many descriptions in the Quran and Hadith describe the qualities of actual men. Muslims should seek to emulate these guided examples instead of whimsical man-made fashion trends, and Allah knows best.
For example, Allah (Most High) says:
“Among the believers are men who have proven true to what they pledged to Allah. Some of them have fulfilled their pledge ˹with their lives˺, others are waiting ˹their turn˺. They have never changed ˹their commitment˺ in the least.” [Quran, 23:33]
“˹That light shines˺ through houses ˹of worship˺ which Allah has ordered to be raised, and where His Name is mentioned. He is glorified there morning and evening by men who are not distracted—either by buying or selling—from Allah’s remembrance, or performing prayer, or paying alms-tax. They fear a Day when hearts and eyes will tremble,” [Quran, 24:37]
“…Certainly, a mosque founded on righteousness from the first day is more worthy of your prayers. In it are men who love to be purified. And Allah loves those who purify themselves. [Quran, 9:108]
I pray this is of benefit and that Allah guides us all.
[Shaykh] Irshaad Sedick
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Shaykh Irshaad Sedick was raised in South Africa in a traditional Muslim family. He graduated from Dar al-Ulum al-Arabiyyah al-Islamiyyah in Strand, Western Cape, under the guidance of the late world-renowned scholar, Shaykh Taha Karaan.
Shaykh Irshaad received Ijaza from many luminaries of the Islamic world, including Shaykh Taha Karaan, Mawlana Yusuf Karaan, and Mawlana Abdul Hafeez Makki, among others.
He is the author of the text “The Musnad of Ahmad ibn Hanbal: A Hujjah or not?” He has served as the Director of the Discover Islam Centre and Al Jeem Foundation. For the last five years till present, he has served as the Khatib of Masjid Ar-Rashideen, Mowbray, Cape Town.
Shaykh Irshaad has thirteen years of teaching experience at some of the leading Islamic institutes in Cape Town). He is currently building an Islamic online learning and media platform called ‘Isnad Academy’ and has completed his Master’s degree in the study of Islam at the University of Johannesburg. He has a keen interest in healthy living and fitness.
