Can a man shave another man’s pubic hair using laser?

Answer

Praise Be to Allah and Peace Be Upon His Messenger.

Referring to your question, the pubic area is considered a strict ‘Awra. In other words, it is an area that should not be seen by others unless they are a husband and his wife, or if there is a medical necessity. And it is so for men and women. Removing or shaving pubic hair by the help of others is not considered one of the above-mentioned excuses. Thus, this area “pubic” should not be exposed to others to let them remove the hair by laser.

Shaikh Muhammad Ahmad Hussain, the General Mufti (Muslim Legal Scholar), in the Palestinian Legal Verdict Council issued a verdict was once asked about the ruling of using laser to remove hair. He was also asked whether there is a different ruling for men, or if there are certain areas of the body that can be shaved by laser and other areas which cannot be shaved.

He said that shaving hair from areas such as arms, legs, armpits, back or abdomen is allowed as long as there is no consequent harm. However, removing eyebrows is not allowed. Moreover, letting others touch certain body parts such as pubic to remove the hair is haram. Muslims should not look at other Muslims’ Awra even if both are of the same sex. Allah says: “Tell the believing men to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts). That is purer for them. Verily, Allah is All-Aware of what they do.  And tell the believing women to lower their gaze (from looking at forbidden things), and protect their private parts (from illegal sexual acts) and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent.” An-Noor: 30-31

This ruling certainly involves men and women.

Removing undesired hair is halal as long as there is no exposure of ‘Awrah, and there is no touching of it.

The ‘Awra of the man in front of other men is what is between the navel and his knees; and the ‘Awrah of the woman in front of other women is what is between her navel and knees. However, the ‘Awrah of the women in front of other men (except for her husband or mahrams) is her whole body except for her face and palms.

Allah says: “and not to show off their adornment except only that which is apparent.”        An-Noor: 31

Ibn Abbas explains this part “except only that which is apparent” as the face, hands and worn ring.

Moreover, removing eyebrows is prohibited. The prophet said: “Allah has cursed those women who tattoo themselves, the women who remove their eyebrows, the women who make spaces between their teeth for beautification changing What Allah has created.” Related by Muslim.

The reason behind this ruling is that removing eyebrows is considered a change in Allah’s Creation.

Allah says: “Allah cursed him. And he (Satan) said: I will take an appointed portion of Your slaves. * Verily, I will mislead them, and surely I will arouse in them false desires; and certainly, I will order them to slit the ears of cattle, and in deed I will order them to change the nature created by Allah. And whoever takes Satan as a protector or helper instead of Allah has surely suffered a manifest loss.” An-Nisa’: 118-119

Thus, being committed to the above-mentioned conditions, shaving will be halal.