What Islam says About the Beard
From The Shari Length of the Beard
by Mufti Afzal Elias, May Allah reward him abundantly, aameen.
Transferred to the web for the benefit of all Muslims by Islam.tc
This
pamphlet is to emphasize the importance and the length of the beard.
Many Muslims have queried regarding this point. I have also found
that people prefer keeping a beard in imitation of what's in vogue
rather than that prescribed by Nabi (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).
A compilation of this nature has become important because the impact
of the western way of life seems to be luring unwary Muslims into
such a craze that the importance of the beard itself is being
doubted and scoffed at.
To
those who feel the issue is trivial to worry about, may ALLAH guide
him. But to those who genuinely wish to learn and practice what
is right, here are sufficient proofs from the Qur'an, Ahadeeth,
and learned scholars.
Concerning
Adherence to the Sunnah in the Holy Qur'an:
"O
ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the Messenger, and those charged
with authority among you." (Quran 4:59)
"O
ye who believe! Obey Allah and His Messenger, and turn not away
from him when ye hear (him speak)." (Quran 8:20)
"O
ye who believe! give your response to Allah and His Messenger, when
He calleth you to that which will give you life; and know that Allah
cometh in between a man and his heart, and that it is He to Whom
ye shall (all) be gathered."(Quran 8:24)
"Ye
have indeed in the Messenger of Allah an excellent exempler for
him who hopes in Allah and the Final Day, and who remembers Allah."
(Quran 33:21)
"What
Allah has bestowed on His Messenger (and taken away) from the people
of the townships,- belongs to Allah,- to His Messenger and to kindred
and orphans, the needy and the wayfarer; in order that it may not
(merely) make a circuit between the wealthy among you. So take what
the Messenger gives you, and refrain from what he prohibits you.
And fear Allah: for Allah is strict in Punishment." (Quran 59:7)
Importance
of the Beard in the words of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam):
(1)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said "I have no connection
iwth one who shaves, shouts and tears his clothing eg. in grief
or affication."
- Reported by Abu Darda (R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 501
(2)
The teachings of Hadhrat Ammar Bin Yaasir, Abdullah Ibn Umar,
Sayyidina Umar, Abu Hurairah and Jaabir (R.A.), indicate that
ALL used to keep beards that were one fist length or more. Hadhrat
Jaabir (R.A.) had said: "We used to grow long beards and only
during Hajj and Umrah did we trim them to the required length
(i.e. fist length)."
(3)
Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) relates that: "He who imitates
the kuffar (non-believers) and dies in that state, he will be
raised up with them on the Day of Qiyamat (Judgement)."
(4)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) says: "Trim closely the
moustache, and let the beard flow (Grow)."
- Narrated Ibn Umar (R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 498
(5)
"Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) ordered us to trim the
moustache closely and spare the beard" says Ibn Umar.
- Muslim, Hadith no. 449
(6)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)said: "Act against contrary
to the polythesists, trim closely the moustache and grow the beard."
- Reported by Ibn Umar (R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 500
(7)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said "Trim closely the
moustache and grow the beard."
- Reported by Abu Hurairah (R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 501
(8)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: "Anyone who shaves
has no claim to the mercy of Allah"
- Reported by Ibn Abbas (R.A.) in Tibrabi
(9)
Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) used to cut that portion (which
exceeds the grip of the hand) of the beard.
- Tirmidhi
The
Beard according to the Great Imams of Jurisprudence
Hanafi
Imam
Muhammed (R.A.) writes in his book "Kitabul Aathaar" where he relates
from Imam Abu Hanifa (R.A.) who relates from Hadhrat Haytham (R.A.)
who relates from Ibn Umar (R.A.) that he (Ibn Umar) used to hold
his beard in his hand and cut off which was longer. Imam Muhammed
(R.A.) says that this is what we follow and this was the decision
of Imam Abu Hanifa. Therefore, according to Hanafies, to shorten
the beard less than a FIST LENGTH is HARAAM and on this is IJMA
(concensus of opinion).
Shafi'i
Imam
Shafi (R.A.) in his Kitabul Umm states, "To shave the beard is HARAAM."
(Shari Minhaj dar Shara Fasl Aqueeqa).
Maaliki
Shekh
Ahmad Nafarawi Maliki in the commentary of Imam Abu Zayed's booklet
states, "to shave the beard is without doubt haraam according to
all Imams." It is also mention in "Tamheed" which is a commentary
of "Muatta" (Sunnan Imam Malik (R.A.)) that to shave the beard is
HARAAM and among males the only ones to resort to this practice
(of shaving) are the HERMAPHRODITES (persons who possess both male
and female features and characteristics).
Hanbali
The
Hanbalies in the famous Al-Khanie'a Hanbali Fatawa Kitab state that
"to grow the beard is essential and to shave it is HARAAM." Also
in the Hanbali Mathab books "Sharahul Muntahaa" and "Sharr Manzoomatul
Aadaab", it is stated "The most accepted view is that it is HARAAM
(prohibited to shave the beard)."
Also
note, according to scholars of Islam: "To shave off the beard is
unlawful (haraam) and one who shaves his beard is legally speaking
an unrighteous fellow (FASIQ); hence, it is NOT PERMISSIBLE to appoint
such a man as an Imam. To say Taraweeh behind such an Imam is MAKRUH-E-TAHRIMI
(near prohibition)" (Shami Vol.1, p.523)
The
Durre-Mukhtar states: "No one has called it permissible to trim
it (the beard) less than FIST-LENGTH as is being done by some westernized
Muslims and hermaphrodites." (Vol. 2, p. 155). Also, "It is forbidden
(haraam) for a man to cut off another's beard." (Vol. 5, p. 359).
Conclusion
Thus,
a Muslim who shaves or shortens his beard is like a hermaphrodite,
his Imamate near prohibition, his evidence is not valid, he will
not have the right to vote or being voted for. Shaving and shortening
the beard is the action of non-believers. Imam Ghazzali (RA) says:
"Know that the key to total bliss (Saadah) lies in following the
Sunnah and in emulating the life of Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi
Wasallam) in ALL that issues from him, and in ALL his doings even
if it concerns the manner of his eating, rising, sleeping, and speaking.
I do say thisin relation to rituals in worship ONLY because ther
is no way neglecting the Sunnah reported of him in such matters
- but what I say INCLUDES EVERY ASPECT of his daily life." (Kitab
al Arbain Addin, Cairo 1344, p. 89). Furthermore, in the Holy Qur'an,
Allah told Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) to say:
"Say:
"If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive
you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."
(Quran 3:31)
The
daily recitation of a band of angels of Allah is "Holy is the Being
who adorned men with beards and women with braids" (Takmela e Bahr
al Raiq, Vol. 3, p. 331)
Lastly,
Allah Ta'ala says in the Holy Qur'an: "And when the true believers
are called to Allah and His Rasul (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)
[to accept and practice the law and commands of Allah and His Rasul
(Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)] that he may pass judgement upon
them, their ONLY reply is 'We hear and obey.' Such men shall surely
prosper." (24:51)
THE
CALL IS TO GROW A FIST LENGTH BEARD, LET US HEAR AND OBEY TO PROSPER.
The
Blessed Beard... Grow it, what's so hard to understand?
Commentary by Islam.tc
Muslims
are overcome with western influence in their lives and it's easy
to forget, nay, neglect the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad
(Peace Be Upon Him). Little do these Muslims realize the magnitude
of their actions in imitating Kufaar (see Hadith section). This
is a truly shocking! Hopefully the information presented herein
will enlighten those. And then there are others who claim that the
matters concerning beards is a "little" issue not worthy of mention
nor practice. To them I say get off the denial bandwagon, you're
a Muslim! Follow the Prophet (Peace be upon him) in all aspects
of life, for he was the best of examples. I couldn't tell you how
many times I've mistaken a Muslim brother (outside of the Masjid)
for a kaafir on account of his clean-shaven, well oiled, face. How
can I say "Assalaamu Alaikum Brother!" when I do not know if he
is a Muslim. Yet that very brother then wonders why he was ignored!
Sure, he can tell if others are Muslim on account of their beard,
but what about himself? From one brother to another, I say:
"Grow a beard, then, since it also promotes Brotherhood in the real
world. Stand with your Brothers, be one. We know you think you are
handsome without it (a beard), but who cares? What matters is how
Allah (S.W.T.) sees you. And when you do grow a beard, don't mock
the Sunnah, please grow it correctly, i.e. FIST LENGTH. That is
the prescribed length and no shorter (see Hadeeth section)..." Peace.
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