What is the ruling on using a thread to pluck facial hair? How does one reconcile the evidence allowing this and the Hadeeth in which the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, said: "May Allaah curse the women who attach hair extensions and those who get hair attached to theirs and women who tattoo and those who get tattooed"?

All perfect praise be to Allaah, the Lord of the worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah and that Muhammad, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Evidently, the questioner is asking about plucking a woman's facial hair. The answer is that this issue is controversial among the scholars. This controversy is based on their different interpretations for the meaning of 'Nams' (plucking), which was mentioned by the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, in the following Hadeeth: ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood narrated that he said: "I heard the Messenger of Allaah, sallallaahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, forbid women from plucking (Nams) their facial hair, making gaps in their teeth, attaching hair extensions, and tattooing, unless in case of (treating) an illness." [Ahmad, An-Nasaa’i and others; authentic chain of narration]

Scholars agreed that it is prohibited to pluck the eyebrows to thin them out or make them appear more slender. Likewise, it is prohibited to pluck the hair at the top of the face in order to make the forehead look broader. This is what is meant by the Hadeeth. As for the hair that grows on the forehead and cheeks, some scholars hold the opinion that it also falls under the prohibition. The following is stated in the Hashiyat of Tuhfat Al-Muhtaj, a Shaafi‘i book of Fiqh, "Nams means removing the hair of the face and eyebrows."

Nevertheless, we are of the opinion that Nams means removing the hair of the eyebrows only. As for the hair that grows in other parts, it is not mentioned and, thus, it is permissible to remove it. A woman is allowed to remove such hair to beautify herself whether by threads, sugaring or any other means. There is no proof to disallow this. However, if a woman has a lot of hair or has it in unordinary places, such as a mustache, then scholars unanimously agree that it is permissible to pluck or shave it.     

Allaah Knows best.