Eyebrow Lamination for Muslim Women

Question: Salam wa alaikum, would eye brow lamination be considered haram for Muslim women?

Summary:

Eyebrow lamination is prohibited (ḥarām) for Muslim women if it involves an intentional alteration of the natural form of the eyebrows, resembles plucking (namṣ), entails deception by making the eyebrows appear other than their natural state, or uses harmful substances. The only exception is a purely medical treatment to remove an acquired defect, without any cosmetic intent.

Answer:

In the name of Allah, all praise is due to Allah, and may Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ)

First: Clarifying the Reality of Eyebrow Lamination

Eyebrow lamination is a cosmetic procedure in which chemical substances are used to smooth and forcibly direct eyebrow hairs into a specific shape—often to appear wider, higher, or denser and the effect lasts for a period of time. In reality, this constitutes a deliberate alteration of the natural shape of the eyebrow, not merely temporary grooming.

Evidence from the Qur’an and Sunnah

Allah تعالى says, quoting Iblīs:

From the Qur'an:

  • Surah Al Nisa:119)
    “And I will surely command them so they will change the creation of Allah.”

    The Salaf used this verse as evidence for the prohibition of intentionally changing one’s natural creation without necessity.

From the Sunnah:

  • Sunan Ibn Majah 1989It was narrated that 'Abdulleh said:
    "The Messenger of Allah cursed the woman who does tattoos and the one who has them done, and those who pluck their eyebrows and file their teeth for the purpose of beautification,

    Namṣ refers to removing or altering the eyebrow hair for the sake of beautification. Scholars consider the meaning, not merely the name; thus, anything that falls under the same meaning as namṣ takes its ruling, even if it does not involve direct hair removal. Third: The Meaning of Namṣ According to the Scholars Namṣ includes every action intended to change the appearance of the eyebrows in pursuit of beauty. The scholars stated that the determining factor is altering the natural form and presenting the eyebrows in a manner different from how Allah created them. Accordingly, they included under namṣ every method that leads to the same outcome, even if the tools or techniques differ. Fourth: Statements of Contemporary Scholars A number of contemporary scholars have ruled that permanent or semi-permanent cosmetic procedures for the eyebrows—such as lamination, chemical lifting, or forced reshaping fall under the prohibited namṣ. This is because they involve intentional alteration of creation, deception in appearance, and resemble actions whose doers were cursed by the Prophet ﷺ. They also emphasized that potential harm from chemical substances further strengthens the prohibition, as causing harm to oneself is impermissible. Fifth: What Is Not Included in the Prohibition There is no harm in lightly cleaning the eyebrows by removing stray hairs outside their usual boundary, removing disfiguring or harmful hair, or temporary grooming using a comb or water without altering the natural form or engaging in deception. Likewise, medical treatment to remove an acquired defect such as burns or illness is exempt if determined by specialists and not done for mere beautification. Eyebrow lamination is not permissible in Islamic law if its purpose is cosmetic beautification through altering the natural shape of the eyebrows or deceiving appearance. It falls under the meaning of namṣ, whose practitioners were cursed by the Prophet ﷺ, and the prohibition is even stronger if harm is involved. The only exception is purely medical treatment to remove an acquired defect without cosmetic intent.

And Allah knows best.

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