What is the religious ruling on not shaving pubic hair for males and females?

Shaving the pubic hair is recommended, and it is part of the fitra (natural disposition), based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "The fitra is five, or five things are part of the fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, trimming the nails, plucking the armpit hair, and shortening the mustache." Istihdad (استحداد) refers to shaving the pubic hair. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) set a time limit for this, stating that it should not be left for more than forty nights.