No, shaving legs is not haram (forbidden) for girls in Islam. Islamic scholars generally agree that there is no explicit prohibition in the Quran or Sunnah (teachings and practices of the Prophet Muhammad) against shaving leg hair. The permissibility stems from the absence of a specific prohibition and the general encouragement of cleanliness and hygiene.
Understanding the Islamic Perspective
Several sources confirm that shaving leg hair for women is permissible:
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Absence of Prohibition: The primary reason cited is the lack of any direct prohibition in Islamic texts against removing leg hair. As one source states, "In our opinion, the original ruling of shaving leg hair for both men and women is permissible. The reason for this is that there is no commandment to shave it nor is there a prohibition to keep it." [Source 1]
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Emphasis on Cleanliness: Islam emphasizes cleanliness and personal hygiene. Removing leg hair can be seen as aligning with this principle, promoting a feeling of tidiness and personal well-being. [Source 7]
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Cultural and Personal Preferences: While not religiously mandated, many Muslim women choose to shave their legs, reflecting personal preferences and cultural norms. This aligns with the idea that personal grooming decisions are not inherently religious matters unless explicitly forbidden. [Source 2, Source 5]
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Specific Hadith Limitations: Some interpretations focus on specific hadith (sayings and traditions of the Prophet Muhammad) which address hair removal but do not include legs. These focus more on the removal of pubic hair, armpit hair, and facial hair for women. [Source 3, Source 8]
It's important to note that while shaving legs is generally considered permissible, personal interpretations and cultural variations exist within the Muslim community.
