Piercing a boy’s ear if this practice is widespread in some countries

Question: 175847

Is there any evidence in the Qur’an or Sunnah to indicate that it is haraam for a man to pierce his left ear? What if this practice is something that has become the norm, and is commonly done and widely accepted in the society in which he lives? We live in America, and this practice is commonly done and widely accepted here.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family.

Firstly:

The basic principle is that piercing the ears is not permissible, because it involves some level of inflicting pain, but it is permissible for women because they need to adorn themselves, so the negative aspect of inflicting pain is outweighed by a greater interest.

For more information on the difference of scholarly opinion concerning piercing of women’s ears, please see the answer to question no. 78255 .

Secondly:

Although it is established that it is permissible to pierce the ears of a little girl or an adult woman because there is a need for that, it is not permissible to pierce the ears of a boy or a man, because that comes under the heading of inflicting pain needlessly, and because it comes under the heading of imitating women.

Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Messenger of Allah cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men. Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5885).

Ibn ‘Aabideen (may Allah have mercy on him) said: Piercing the ears in order to wear earrings is part of the adornment of women, so it is not permissible for males."(Radd al-Muhtaar 6/420).

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: With regard to piercing the ears of a boy, there is no interest to be served by that, and it is cutting a part of his body for no religious or worldly interest, so it is not permissible." (Tuhfat al-Mawlood 1/210).

The fact that this is widespread in your country does not mean that it is permissible, as is also applicable to the fact that it has become common for men to wear jewellery, or to wear gold rings, or to imitate women in other actions and ways of dressing.

And Allah knows best.

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