(peace be upon him), that he said to the female circumciser: "Clip and do not overdo it, (49) for it is more gratifying for the husband and more radiant for the face." (50)

Reduction (al-khafd) is the circumcision of a woman.

Section: Istihdad is the shaving of the pubic hair. It is recommended, because it is part of the natural disposition (fitra), and leaving it becomes offensive; therefore, removing it is recommended. There is no harm in whatever means the person uses to remove it, because the objective is its removal. It was said to Abu Abd Allah: Do you consider it permissible for a man to remove his lower hair with scissors, even if he does not do it thoroughly? He said: I hope that is sufficient, if Allah wills. It was said: O Abu Abd Allah, what do you say regarding a man who plucks his pubic hair? He said: Is there anyone who has the strength for that? If he uses a depilatory agent (nura), (51) there is no harm in it, provided he does not allow anyone to handle his private parts, except for those who are permitted to look at them, such as a wife or a slave woman. Abu al-Abbas al-Nasa'i said: (52) I prepared a depilatory for Abu Abd Allah and applied it to him; when he reached his pubic area, he applied it himself. Al-Khallal narrated with his isnad from Nafi who said: I used to apply depilatory for Ibn Umar, and when he reached his pubic area, he would apply it himself with his hand. This has been narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him). Al-Marrudhi said: (52) Abu Abd Allah would not enter the bathhouse, and when he needed the depilatory, he would apply it at home. I prepared the depilatory for him more than once, and I bought him a leather glove for his hands (53) so he would insert his hands into it and apply the depilatory.