Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Can you please tell me the ruling on men removing body hair? One of my friends removes his chest hair and I think its unIslamic.
Walaikum assalam,
It is not a big deal: the fiqh works explicitly stated that it is merely ‘contrary to proper manners,’ and not sinful.
It is stated in al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya:
“And to shave the hair of the chest or back is contrary to proper manners (tark al-adab), as mentioned in al-Qunya.” [al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, 5.358]
This is also confirmed by both Tahtawi and Ibn Abidin in their respective Hashiyas on Haskafi’s Durr al-Mukhtar. [Kitab al-Hadhr wa’l Ibaha: Fasl fi’l Bay`]
As such, you cannot condemn your friend for such a practice. However, if you think there may be benefit and no harm, you could give him sincere advice (nasiha) towards the optimal. [See Related Q & A.]
And Allah alone gives success.
Wassalam,