Do the majority of scholars (the Shafi'is, Hanafis, and Malikis) permit eyebrow plucking (al-namṣ) if it does not involve displaying one's adornments (tabarruj) or excessiveness, as opposed to the view of Imam Ahmad?

The summary of the answer: Plucking (al-Nams) is strictly forbidden in Islamic law, based on the Prophet's (peace and blessings be upon him) saying: "Allah has cursed the women who tattoo and those who have themselves tattooed, those who pluck (al-Namisa) and those who have themselves plucked (al-Mutanamisa), and those who make spaces between their teeth for beauty, altering Allah's creation." Scholars have differed on several issues related to plucking, namely:

1. The reality of plucking (al-Nams): The majority opinion is that it encompasses all facial hair, including the eyebrows, except if a woman grows a mustache or beard, in which case she may remove it. However, some scholars are of the view that al-Nams specifically refers to the hair of the eyebrows. 2. Plucking (al-Nams) between removal by plucking, cutting, and shaving: The Hanbalis held that the forbidden al-Nams refers exclusively to plucking, and they permitted cutting and shaving. In contrast, the Malikis and Shafi'is maintained that cutting and shaving fall under the same حكم (ruling) as plucking. 3. Plucking (al-Nams) with the husband's permission: Some jurists (from the Hanafis, Shafi'is, Malikis, and some Hanbalis) permitted plucking with the husband's permission, especially if the hair was repulsive to the husband, or for the purpose of deceit (tadlis). The correct view is that al-Nams is absolutely forbidden, and it is not permissible even with the husband's permission. Indeed, he should not be obeyed if he commands it, because the reason for the prohibition is the alteration of Allah's creation, not deceit. The prohibition of hair extensions (al-Wasl) and plucking (al-Nams) has been generally mentioned, and because the saying of Ibn Mas'ud (may Allah be pleased with him): "If that were the case, we would not have associated with her" indicates an absolute prohibition.