Spa services for women

1-4-2002 | IslamWeb

Question:

I have plans to open a Women's Day Spa. My brother will be the interior decorator and designer and my father an investor. We are all interested in what, if any, of the following treatments would be considered "Haram" before we proceed with the venture:1) Pedicure and Manicure with no nail polish.2) Massage and Tension therapy.3) Cellulite treatment.4) Natural Herbal Body Bronzing.5) Facial treatments - no make-up.6) Body wraps for weight loss.7) Cut, and style hair.8) Laser hair removal-for unwanted hair.9) Selling facial and body natural treatments.All of above will be performed by female licensed estheticians on women only, in a private setting. A doctor will be affiliated with the business as a consultant because service can be considered medical in terms of "therapy". We are eagerly awaiting your response before we sign a lease.

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the World; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

We do not see any legal objection to invest or to have partnership in this project as long as its activities are restricted in the limits of Sharia, which are as follows:
1) There should be no mixing between men and women.
2) The place should be fully covered so that no one can see what is going on inside.
3) Only women should carry out all the matters mentioned in your question. If there is any male doctor, his role should be limited only to the consultation, not having any direct involvement in the above services and not seeing what is going on at that place.
4) The mentioned treatment or services should not include uncovering the Awrah (part of the body, which must be covered). The Awrah of women in front of women is from navel to knee.
5) Also it should be free from forbidden activities such as removing hair from eyebrows, artificially lengthening hair and making artificial spaces between teeth, etc.
Allah knows best.