Question:
I had heard from a friend (as far as I remember) that the one who does not shave his pubic hair and the hair inside the armpits within 40 days does not have his prayers and good deeds accepted unless he shaves those.
Is the above statement true?
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Anas (Radhiyallahu Anhu) narrates that Rasulullah ﷺ stipulated the time for trimming the mustache, clipping the nails, plucking the armpit hair, shaving the private parts, that it should not exceed forty days. (Sahih Muslim)
It is necessary to shave or trim the pubic hair (around the private areas till the pubic hairline) and hair of the underarms within a period of forty days. Although it should not be left for more than forty days, if it is quite lengthy before forty days, it should be removed. This will differ from person to person. If one does not do so within forty days, it will be sinful.
One’s Salaah will still be accepted, but its reward may be decreased.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Mufti Arshad Ali
Darul Iftaa, Jaamia Madinatul Uloom (Trinidad)