Importance of Beard in Islam
This post is to emphasize the importance of growing beard in Islam.
Many Muslims have queried regarding this point. We also see that people
prefer keeping a beard in imitation of what’s in vogue rather than that
prescribed by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). 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 them. But to those who genuinely wish to learn and practice what
is right, here are sufficient proofs from the Quran, Hadiths 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):
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
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).”
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).”
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
“Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) ordered us to
trim the moustache closely and spare the beard” says Ibn Umar. – Muslim,
Hadith no. 499
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
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said “Trim
closely the moustache and grow the beard.” – Reported by Abu Hurairah
(R.A.) in Muslim, Hadith no. 501
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Anyone who
shaves has no claim to the mercy of Allah” – Reported by Ibn Abbas
(R.A.) in Tibrabi
Hadhrat Abdullah Ibn Umar (R.A.) used to cut that portion (which exceeds the grip of the hand) of the beard. – Tirmidhi
Abu Hurayrah ” reported that the ruler of Yemen,appointed
by the Persian emperor Kisra, sent two envoys to the Messenger !. When
they came into his presence, he noticed that they had shaved their
beards and let their moustaches grow big. Hating their ugly appearance,
he turned his face away and said,
“Woe be to you, who told you to do so?” They replied: “Our lord (Kisra) did!”
The Messenger ! responded: “But my Lord, exalted and glorified be He,
has commanded me to spare my beard and trim my moustaches.” [Recorded by
Ibn Jarir at-Tabari, Ibn Sa’d, and Ibn Bishran. Verified to be hasan
(good) by al-Albani (Fiqh us-Sirah by al-Ghazali p. 359)]
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.
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.