What is the ruling on removing body hair by burning it while it is still attached, and is the subsequent bleeding of the skin considered a punishment?

The texts of divine revelation have detailed which body hair is permissible to remove and which is forbidden, and they have remained silent about certain types, such as ear hair, the removal of which is originally permissible.

Ibn Uthaymeen divided hair into three categories: 1. What the Sharia has forbidden to remove: Such as a man's beard and plucking the eyebrows (namṣ). 2. What the Sharia has commanded to remove: Such as armpit hair, pubic hair, and a man's mustache. 3. What the Sharia has remained silent about: This is considered permissible (ʿafw), and a person has the choice to remove it or leave it. This includes hair on the hands and legs if it is not disfiguring.

The Sharia has not specified a particular method for hair removal. Thus, it is permissible to remove it by any means as long as there is no harm involved. It is permissible to remove ear hair with a light flame for someone who is skilled and will not be harmed by it. However, for someone who fears harm, it is prohibited for them, and they should remove it by another method; based on the Prophet's (peace be upon him) saying: "There should be neither harming nor reciprocating harm."