Sikh Women’s Horror of Hirsutism

Introduction

Hirsutism (in Latin hirsutus, meaning: shaggy, hairy): A symptom that sees excessive and increased hair growth in women in locations where it would normally be minimal or absent.

Often one will ‘hair’ (pun intended) Sikhs make utopistic boasts of how advanced their religion is over others by drawing comparisons between their theology and the post-modern socio-cultural theories of the western world. This is often touted by drawing alleged parallels under the umbrella of ‘equality’ (what should more appropriately and accurately be termed ‘blind equality’).

The argument is that Sikhism is a religion of “equality”; and since the secular-liberal west’s idea of “equality” is achieved through the relativisation of identity and knowledge, Sikhism declares itself to be the religion of the future. Informed Sikhs who accept the instantiation of absolute divine truth will refuse to jump on this doomed bandwagon; and we have already provided examples of why the above argument of “equality” fails to stand up.

Hence, let us examine Sikhism’s “modern” stance on hirsutism and compare it to Islam to determine the truth in this matter.

According to the Student BMJ, a subsidiary of the British Medical Association:

Only a woman can truly appreciate the psychological impact an abnormality such as hirsutism could have on her… and of course Allah.

‘Will You Marry a Girl with a Beard?’

An interesting question was posted on the Sikh Philosophy forum where someone inquired: “Will you marry a girl with a beard?” The question was a serious one as the questioner admitted he had no answer, and yet the replies varied from the embarrassingly comical to the harrowingly absurd.

The questioner went on to ask: “Girls of other religions get rid of them by threading, shaving or some cosmetic surgery, but in sikh [sic] religion removing hair from any part of the body is prohibited. So in such a situation what would a sikh [sic] girl do?
Why do then sikh boys don’t accept them as wives? [sic]”

The critical part to this question is the admission that in Sikhism’s modern worldview, removing any hair from any part of the body is prohibited – that includes the female of the species.

According to the orthodox and generally accepted view, Sikhs consider the removal of any hair from the male or female body as strictly prohibited and categorise it amongst the four cardinal sins (bujjar kurahit).

The enactor of this prohibition is the final Guru, Gobind Singh:

There are some Sikhs, however, who have contended that the prohibition of removing/ cutting/ trimming hair is only restricted to the hair on the head and not the whole body. However, we have shown that this is not an absolute rule. On the contrary, there seems to be a difference of opinion in this regard with many prominent Sikh scholars holding that the removal/ cutting/ trimming of hair includes all hair of the body. [5]

In answering the question of why Sikhs do not cut their hair, the Khalsa Council answered:

According to Sikhism, this prohibition has been justified with incredulous explanations that border on the absurd.

Sameness of Appearance

Do not go to extremes in your religion. (Qur’an 4:171)

One justification given for the commandment of women to keep any and all hair follicles is due to the importance given to their “bana“. Bana or ‘form’ is:

The sameness of appearance is an important feature for Sikhs and one will find many Sikh philosophers and apologists constantly emphasising this. This obsession with sameness of appearance stems from Blind Equality where Sikh’s attempt to equalise the sexes both in terms of their gender roles as well as their appearance, which has led them to accept the extreme position of hirsutism. This incredulous obsessiveness towards the sameness of appearance is summed up alarmingly as follows:

It does not stop there since the justifications for this rule become ever more bizarre and nonsensical with the notion of “The Sacred Hair”.

The Sacred Hair

The Gurmukh meditates on the Lord with every hair of his body – Sri Guru Grant Sahib

For all Sikhs, hair is sanctified and apparently regarded as the “highest importance in the Sikh religion”, and cutting it is “dishonouring one’s hair”.

This is a clear form of extremism in life and we will further delve into this subject in the next chapter, God-willing. However, for the moment, let us further explore what Sikhs mean by the Sacred Kesh by turning to the Khalsa Council, which elaborates:

The ideology becomes ever more intriguing! But why has “nature (Wahe Guru) put every hair on your body for a reason”, apart from its obvious functions such as its important role in regulating body temperature? Sikh apologists have forwarded a remarkable number of strange pseudo-scientific reasons in their defence, which not only further opens this Pandora’s Box, but along with it a huge can of worms:

While the Khalsa Council inexplicably asserts:

Of course, any one endowed with sound common sense will perceive two problems here: Firstly, unscientific reasons presented in the garb of science; and secondly, the mixing of categories through the cunning attempt of overlapping science with pseudo-science in a desperate attempt to justify their absurd acceptance of hirsutism for Sikh women. 

Overall, the point here is not the functionality of hair and its role in maintaining and regulating the body’s correct working order, nor the irrelevant debate concerning the difference between hair and nails or whether hair is lifeless or not, but rather the rationale behind the complete prohibition of removing extraneous hair?

Hair Raising Problems for the Kaurs

Allah wishes for you ease and He does not wish for you difficulty. (Qur’an 2:185)

Allah has told humankind that “the male is not like the female” (Qur’an 3:36), and nothing is more discernable of this fact than the following general rule: there exists defined and distinguishable external physical attributes for both sexes which clearly demarcate the male of the species from the female. Furthermore, it should be noted that although qualities appropriate to or usually associated with either sex, namely masculinity and femininity, differ in degree amongst members of the same sex, this does not violate the aforementioned general rule. There are, of course, exceptions to this rule. In regards to these exceptions, Allah may test some of His servants by way of their physical attributes. However, Allah, the Most Merciful, has provided, under the umbrella of “removing difficulties” (takalluf – overburdening), the means by which these exceptions can be remedied, provided He has made the remedy available. [13] In the case of hirsutism – a physical test for women – the remedy has always been available since the inception of Islam, and with the progression of technology and science, this has been made easier (although not necessarily easy) to administer.

Despite this, Sikhism’s take on this subject is at best bemusing and at worst extremism.

Indeed, among the goals of the divine laws of Islam is the “removal of difficulties” to facilitate humankind’s natural proclivity (fitrah) in correctly worshipping their Creator in order to grow spiritually. The importance of this principle is oft-repeated in the Qur’an:

The companion of Prophet Muhammad (upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah), Anas ibn Maalik, said:

The Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah) himself was naturally disposed in choosing the easier of two paths, as long as it was not sinful. And this is what he taught and inculcated in his followers; for example, before the dispatchment of the Prophet’s governor to Yemen, he instructed him:

Islamic legal scholars unanimously consider this concept an indisputable fundamental principle followed by God in the enactment of laws.

It was mentioned in the Introduction above that hirsutism will most likely have a profoundly negative psychological impact on women. It should be noted, however, that “unwanted coarse body hair in a male distribution” [14] is a subjective and relative term and women will invariably differ over what this comprises. As has been demonstrated above, this relativisation has been taken advantage of by some Sikh apologists who have attempted to try and justify and defend the ‘modern’ Sikh position on hirsutism.

But, there is a line to be drawn between that which is reasonable and moderate, and that which is unreasonable and extreme.

As previously stated, Allah has facilitated ease by removing difficulties that could potentially be unnecessary obstacles in humankind’s most important pursuit of all: the true and correct worship of their Lord. Hence, although both Islam and Sikhism agree that the law on hirsutism is divinely legislated, their respective conclusions are irreconcilable.

It is impermissible for a Sikh woman to cut/ trim/ remove any hair from her body. The Khalsa Council emphatically responded to the question, “Is it OK for women to remove their leg and armpit hair, or to pluck their eyebrows?” by declaring:

While Panthic Weekly Columnist, Yashpal Kaur, observed:

Although this call to strict observance is admirable, the more pertinent question is: Is this not taking things to an extreme?

Islam’s Sensibilities Towards Women

The Shari’ah (Islamic legislation) recognises the dangers of relativising this issue. In today’s society, one will find many women shaping their eyebrows, and cutting their hair in all sorts of peculiar and often distasteful styles. Hence, unlike the extreme views of Sikhism, Islam has permitted the cutting of women’s hair, including the option of shaving legs, threading arms, plucking of the eyebrows, and other safe methods (this is unlike the mandatory removal of pubic and armpit hair, the purpose of which is to maintain cleanliness), but has laid down strict conditions in certain areas of hair removal so as to cut off the possibility of going to extremes. [17] This is in keeping with the Shar’iah’s all-encompassing ethos that caters for all necessary aspects of human life:

The Shari’ah was, thus, revealed as a clear guidance towards maintaining a balanced way of life and avoiding extremes:

Abu Hurairah narrated that the Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah) said:

The scholar Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen demonstrated this ease as follows:

Hence, Islam, for example, has prohibited al-namas – the removal of eyebrows, as the Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah) said:

Imam an-Nawawi further elaborated:

The stern warning in this context is against what is defined as the eyebrow, and it is in order to stop women from going to extremes. Hence, anything that is not considered the eyebrow, such as hair that grows across the brow; then some scholars have declared it permissible to remove. Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen said:

How far away is the balance of Islam in this context from what Yashpal Kaur states?

A Sikh who bends to the pressures of society will also experience a downfall in their spirituality which can eventually lead to severe depression and a sense of confusion.[21]

A woman does not choose to suffer hirsutism. The growth of hair, as is the case with all things created by Allah, is under His Will and Power. One could quite easily sympathise for a woman who “experience[s] a downfall in her spirituality” for having to accept an absurd edict that forces her to resemble and look like a man. And any pressure from society in this regard would thankfully not only indicate that that society is not Sikh, but it would also show the presence of sound minds that reject such an absurd proposition.

Yashpal Kaur then attempts to muddy the waters:

This hilarious remark misses the point. Is she implying that it is just as equally challenging for today’s women to keep a full beard? We give her benefit of the doubt; and yet, the angle of her approach is still incredibly worrying.

The general rule for men is that they grow beards and the exception to the rule is that a small minority of men cannot. The opposite is true for women, although the exception to the rule in this case is so much smaller. It would, therefore, be completely understandable for people to view a woman with coarse facial hair strangely because it goes against the natural pattern established by Allah.

With her lopsided take on this matter, it is unsurprising for Yashpal Kaur to then contemptuously question the common sense of those parents who are struggling to find a suitor for their ‘bearded’ daughter:

What is so natural about a woman who refuses to remedy a curable symptom that isolates her from normality because her religion instructs her that this is unnatural? If a facially disfigured woman born into a Sikh family considers a cure through a simple skin grafting procedure, would Sikhism consider her a “self-willed Manmukh” who “do[es] not have full faith in our Guru” because she has rejected her “God-given natural face”?

Moreover, how many men with a correct grasp of reality firmly treading the path of moderation would ever find a woman with facial hair attractive? Certainly not many, unless of course they find bearded people attractive; which, in turn, would lead to questions over their sexuality!
So let us repeat the all important question: “Will you marry a girl with a beard?”

More importantly, however, and in light of all of the above, let us ask the final question:

[1] Azziz R., The evaluation and management of hirsutism, Obstet Gynecol 2003;101: 995-1007.
[2] http://archive.student.bmj.com/issues/06/10/education/360.php
[3] http://www.info-sikh.com/PageGloss3.html
[4] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hukamnama
[5] We have refuted this stance in our response to Paramdeep Bhatia, a member of Project Naad.
[6] http://www.khalsacouncil.org/clients/khalsacouncil/Is_it_OK_for_women_to_remove/
[7] http://www.sikhnet.com/sikhnet/Bana_Appearance_&_Form/
[8] http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Uncut_Hairs
[9] http://www.sikhiwiki.org/index.php/Five_ks
[10] Op. cit. khalsacouncil.org
[11] Op. cit. sikhiwiki.org, Five Ks
[12] Op. cit. khalsacouncil.org
[13] There are certain things that Allah tests His servants by for which a remedy is already available; it is only a case of knowing where to look. However, part of the test may also involve the temporary unavailability of a remedy in order to determine the amount of patience a servant has or to assist the servant further develop this praiseworthy attribute. The condition for its availability will be the amount of patience the servant will have to exercise before the Most Merciful makes the remedy available as a reward in this life. However, if Allah chooses to withhold a remedy indefinitely, then this is the Creators prerogative; but, He has instructed His servants to remain patient in the face of any adversity or hardship encountered and has guaranteed for the patient ones abundant reward.
[14] Op. cit. Student BMJ
[15] Op. cit. khalsacouncil.org
[16] http://www.panthic.org/news/133/ARTICLE/1573/2005-07-24.html
[17] For example, Islam has permitted that women cut their hair in appropriate ways, i.e. as long as it does not resemble the hairstyle of males due to the prohibition where: “The Messenger of Allah cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men.” (Sahih al-Bukhari)

Similarly, Islam allows women to cut their hair short since Abu Salamah ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan said: “The wives of the Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah) used to cut their hair until it came just below their ears.” (Sahih Muslim). In regards to this Imam an-Nawawi said: “This indicates that it is permissible for women to cut their hair short.” However, the condition is that it not resemble the popular hairstyles of disbelieving women due to the Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah) emphasising the importance of Muslims maintaining their own distinct Islamic appearance when he said: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Reported by Imam Ahmad)

Islam has also not permitted the shaving of the head except in cases of necessity because of the following Prophetic tradition in which, according to ‘Ali, the Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah) forbade women to shave their heads. Al-Khallaal reported from Qutadah from ‘Ikrimah who said: “The Prophet (upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah) forbade women to shave their heads.” Al-Hasan said: “This is mutilation.” Al-Athram said: “I heard Abu ‘Abdullaah asking about a woman who was unable to take care of her hair properly and whether she should remove her hair according to the hadeeth of Maymoonah. He asked, ‘Why does she want to remove it?’ He replied, ‘She cannot put oil on it or anything else that will make it look better, and she has a bad infestation of lice.’ He said, ‘If it is the matter of necessity, I hope that there is nothing wrong with doing so.'” (Sunan at-Tirmidhi and an-Nisaa’i)
[18] Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/194, 195
[19] Sharh al-Nawawi li Sahih Muslim, 14/106
[20] Fataawa Manaar al-Islam, vol. 3, p. 832.
[21] Op. cit. panthic.org
[22] Ibid.
[23] Ibid.