Question:
Salam’alaikoum,
My 8 1/2 yr-old daughter has been complaining to me for months to have her leg hair removed (shaved) because she claims she is the only girl her age in school who has so much visible dark leg hair. Although I encourage her cover herself appropriately, her legs may show when wearing skirts or during gym class. She is often in tears because of this, but I feel she is too young to shave. It is true as a child of mixed cultures she does have dark hair. She has also recently begun signs of puberty (breast growth) and I feel her concerns are indeed affecting her self-esteem.
Thank you for your suggestions and guidance whether it is okay to shave or use wax on a child of this age.
Answer:
Alaikumsalam,
Puberty for girls starts between the ages of 9 and 15. Your daughter is almost pubescent baligh) so it is natural to have hair and breast growth then menstruation. Thus, to shave or wax is allowed. It is an obligation for parents to start teaching their daughters to cover especially when they reach the age of puberty.
Hajjah Faridah
