Removing Chest Hair For Men

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 attached answers.]

And Allah alone gives success.

Wassalam,
Faraz Rabbani.

The Fiqh of Right and Wrong- Teaching Non-Hijabis, Commanding the Good & Forbidding the Wrong
Commanding the Right & Forbidding the Wrong

في الهندية: 5/358

وَفِي حَلْقِ شَعْرِ الصَّدْرِ وَالظَّهْرِ تَرْكُ الْأَدَبِ كَذَا فِي الْقُنْيَةِ