Bismillah Ar Rahman Ar Raheem
As Salat us Slaam Alaa RasulAllah
Am Ma Baad........
Quote of the week.....
"The Sunnah is like the Ark of Noah.  Whoever embarks upon it reaches salvation and whoever refuses is drowned."  Imaam Malik

Assalaam Alaikum Wa Ramatullahi Wa Barakatuhu
Welcome to Uthman's page on the beard.









This Month's Topic......."the Beard in light of the Holy Quran and Sahih Hadith and in the Opinions of the great scholars....

In the Light of Quran
In the Light of Hadith

For section on Trimming the moustaches

From the Quran.....

The Holy Quran, Sura #24;Ayah #63
"Make not the calling of the Messenger among you as your calling of one another. Allâh knows those of you who slip away under shelter. And let those who oppose the Messenger's (Muhammad SAW) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them."

The Holy Quran, Sura #59;Ayah #7
"And whatever the RASUL GIVES you, ACCEPT IT and whatever he FORBIDS you, ABSTAIN (from it)"

The Holy Quran, Sura #2;Ayah #285
" The Messenger believeth in what hath been revealed to him from his Lord, as do the men of faith. Each one (of them) believeth in Allah, His angels, His books, and His messengers. "We make no distinction (they say) between one and another of His messengers." And they say: "We hear, and we obey: (we seek) Thy forgiveness, our Lord, and to Thee is the end of all journeys."

The Holy Quran, Sura #3;Ayah #132
And obey Allah and the Messenger; that ye may obtain mercy.

The Holy Quran, Sura #47;Ayah #33
 O ye who believe! Obey Allah, and obey the messenger, and make not vain your deeds!

The Holy Quran, Sura #4;Ayah #13
Those are limits set by Allah. those who obey Allah and His Messenger will be admitted to Gardens with rivers flowing beneath, to abide therein (for ever) and that will be the supreme achievement.

The Holy Quran, Sura #30;Ayah #30
So set you (O Muhammad SAW) your face towards the religion of pure Islâmic Monotheism Hanifa (worship none but Allâh Alone) Allâh's Fitrah (i.e. Allâh's Islâmic Monotheism), with which He has created mankind. No change let there be in Khalq­illâh (creation of Allâh) , that is the straight religion, but most of men know not. [Tafsir At­Tabarî, Vol 21, Page 41]

In the Light os Sahih Hadith.....

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72, Hadith # 780:
Narrated Nafi' (Radhiallaahu Án) "Ibn Umar (Radhiallaahu Án) said, The Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short." Whenever Ibn 'Umar performed the Hajj or 'Umra, he used to hold his beard with his hand and cut whatever moustaches. Ibn Umar used to cut his moustache so short that the whiteness of his skin (above the upper lip) was visible, and he used to cut (the hair) between his moustaches and his beard.

Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 7, Book 72, Hadith #781:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (Radhiallaahu Án) "Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "Cut the moustaches short and leave the beard (as it is)."

Sahih Muslim, Book 2, Hadith # 0501:
Narrated AbuHurayrah (Radhiallaahu Án) "Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said  "Trim closely the moustache, and grow beard, and thus act against the fire-worshippers."

Sahih Muslim Book 2, Hadith # 0502
Narrated Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha): Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said: “Ten things are part of the fitrah: cutting the moustache, letting the beard grow, cleaning the teeth with a siwaak, rinsing the nose with water, cutting one’s nails, washing between the finger-joints, plucking the armpit hairs, shaving the pubic hair and cleaning one’s private parts with water.” (Reported by Imaan Ahmad, Muslim and the four authors of Sunan, from the hadith of ‘Aisha (Radhiallaahu Ánha).

Sahih Al-Bukhari 9:651
Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri (Radhiallaahu Án): Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "There will emerge from the East some people who will recite the Qur'an but it will not exceed their throats and who will go out of (renounce) the religion (Islam) as an arrow passes through the game, and they will never come back to it unless the arrow, comes back to the middle of the bow (by itself) (i.e., impossible)." The people asked, "What will their signs be?" He said, "Their sign will be the habit of shaving (of their beards)." (Fateh Al-Bari, Page 322, Vol. 17th)

Imaan maliks MuwattaBook 51, Number 51.1.1:
Yahya related to me from Malik from Abu Bakr ibn Nafi from his father Nafi from Abdullah ibn Umar (Radhiallaahu Án) that the Messenger of Allah, (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) ordered the moustache to be trimmed and the beard to be left.

It is reported in the Tabrani Vol 3 Page 90/9, that Kaiser, the King of Persia, after having read the letter sent by the Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) inviting him to accept the faith of Islaam, ordered his sub-ordinate Bayon (Badhun), the governor of Yemen, to send two persons to bring the RASUL of Islaam before him. Bayan accordingly sent two messengers who according to the fashion of those days were clean shaven and having long moustaches. When they appeared on the scene toward the Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam), he very much disliked the unnatural appearances of those persons and said; "Woe to you, Woe to you. Who ordered you to adopt such appearances? They said; "Our lord Kaiser". Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) then told them "My Rabb COMMANDED me to lenghten my beard and clip my moustaches".

The opinions of the great scholars about the beard...

Imam Abu Hanifa (Rahimahullah)
The Hanifies say "To shorten the beard less than a FIST LENGTH is HARAAM and on this is IJMA`A (consensus of opinion)".

Imam Muharnmed (Rahimahullah) writes in his book "Kitabul Aathaar" where he relates from Imam Abu Hanifa (Rahimahullah) who relates from Hazart Haytham (Rahimahullah) who relates from Ibn Umar (ra) that he (Ibn Umar) used to hold his beard in his hand and cut off which was longer. Imam Muhammed (Rahimahullah) says that this is what we follow and this was the decision of Imam Abu Hanifa (Rahimahullah) (From one of the most authentic books of Hanafi Fiqh "Kitabul Aathaar" with direct quotes from Imaam Abu Hanifah)

Hanafi Fiqh in Durre Mukhtar
"To trim the beard when it is less than a fist’s length, as done by some western people and hermaphrodites is not permissible in the opinion of all the jurists. To shave the beard as done by the Jews, Hindus and others is also not permissible."
(From the famous and known book of Fiqh Durre Mukhtar)
 

Imam Shafi (Rahimahullah)
Imam Shafi (Rahimahullah) in his Kitabul Umm states, "To shave the beard is HARAAM". (Shari Minfiaj dar Shara Fasl Aqueeqa).

Shafi Fiqh..

Imaam Ibn Ar’rifaah (Rahimahullah) quoting from Imaam Shafi (Rahimahullah)
It is quoted in Al Ibaab’, that Imaam Ibn Ar’rifaah says that Imaam Shafi, has categorically stated that shaving the beard is haram. (From the book "Al Ibaab")

Al Azraiy (Rahimahullah)
says that the correct position in the Shafi madhab is that to shave the beard without a valid medical reason is haram. Similar verdict of prohibition has been issued by Zarakhshi, Baihaqi in his book, Shu’ab Al Iman, and by his teacher Qa’ffal Shashi in Muhasin As Shar’iyyah.
(From the book "Shu’ab Al Iman")
 
 

Imam Malik (Rahimahullah)
Sheikh Ahmad Nafarawi Maliki in the commentary of Imam Abu Zayed's booklet states, "to shave the beard is without doubt haraam according to all Imarns", it is also mentioned in 'Tamheed' which is a commentary of "Muatta" Sunnan Imam Malik (Rahimahullah) that to shave the beard is HARAAM and among males the only ones to resort to this (practice) are the HERMAPHRODITES.
(From the book "Tamheed")

Maliki Fiqh in Kitabul Ib’daa
To shave the beard is haram and to trim it in such a manner that it changes one’s natural and normal facial features (Less than a fist) is also haram. It is also quoted in Kitabul Ib’daa’, that without doubt the four Madhabs are agreed that the beard should be lengthened and that shaving it is haram. (From the book "Kitabul Ib’daa")

Imam Ahmed bin Hanbal (Rahimahullah)
The Hanbalies in their famous Al-KhanWa Hambli Fatawa Kitab state that "to grow the beard is essential and to shave it is HARAAM. Also in the Hambali Mathab books "Sharahul Muntaha' and "Shari Manzoomatul Aadaab", it is stated "The most accepted view is that it is HARAAM (prohibited to shave the beard)".

Hanabli Fiqh..

From the book Hanabi Fiqh Shar’hul Muntahaa’
It is narrated in Shar’hul Muntahaa’ and Shar’hul Manzoomatul Adaab, the most accepted view is that it is haram to shave the beard. Some Ulama like the author of ‘Insaf’, have categorically stated that it is haram. There is no report from anyone to the contrary.

Sheikh ibn Abdur Rahman Al Banna
"Shaving the beard is strictly haram. This is in the Hanabli Madhab."
(From his book "Fathur Rabbani")

 Ibn Hazm (Rahimahullah)
reported that there was scholarly consensus that it is an obligation (fard) to trim the moustache and let the beard grow. He quoted a number of ahaadeeth as evidence, including the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah be pleased with him) and the hadeeth of Zayd ibn Arqam in which the Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Whoever does not remove any of his moustache is not one of us.” (Classed as saheeh by al-Tirmidhi). Ibn Hazm said in al-Furoo’: “This is the way of our colleagues [i.e., the Hanbalis].”

Shaikhul-Islam Ibn Taimiyah (Rahimahullah)
Stated that: "Shaving the beard is HARAAM". [Al-Ikhtiyarat Al-Ilmiyyah, page 6].  Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: “The Qur’aan, Sunnah and ijmaa’ (scholarly consensus) all indicate that we must differ from the kuffaar in all aspects and not imitate them, because imitating them on the outside will make us imitate them in their bad deeds and habits, and even in beliefs, which will result in befriending them in our hearts, just as loving them in our hearts will lead to imitating them on the outside. Al-Tirmidhi reported that the Messenger of Allaah  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said, “He is not one of us who imitates people other than us. Do not imitate the Jews and Christians.” According to another version: “Whoever imitates a people is one of them.” (Reported by Imaam Ahmad) ‘Umar ibn Al-Khattaab rejected the testimony of the person who plucked his beard. Imaam Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr said in al-Tamheed: “It is forbidden to shave the beard, and no one does this except men who are effeminate” i.e., those who imitate women. The Prophet  (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) had a thick beard (reported by Muslim from Jaabir). It is not permitted to remove any part of the beard because of the general meaning of the texts which forbid doing so. (Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/133)

Imaam Ahmad Bin Hanbal, Imaam Abu Hanifah and Ath-Thawri (Rahimahullah)
All agreed that if the beard is removed, it is an act of mutilation.  If someone was to remove an other mans beard by force he would have to pay the full "diyah" or blood money for this cruel act just as if he had removed an eye or a limb of the victum.  This is based upon the Sahih Hadith from Imaam Bukhari "Rasulullah  (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) forbade robbing and taking propery by force and he forbade MUTILATION." And Imaam Ahmed Bin hnabal and Imaam Abu Hanifah agreed this includes a mans beard.(Sahih Bukhari)

Ibn Hazm (Rahimahullah)
Said "All the scholars of Islam have agreed that shaving of the beard is a form of mutilation, which is forbidden.  As Allah (SWT) says in the Quran " No change let there be in Khalq­illâh (creation of Allâh) , that is the straight religion, but most of men know not." (Sura #30;Ayah #30)

Shaikh Al-Baani
It is not permissible for the Muslim to remove any hair from the beard except what the Lawgiver has allowed. It is reported from one of the companions who narrated the hadeeth, "Leave the beard and trim the moustaches,"
'Abdullaah bin 'Umar, that he used to remove from his beard what was below a fistful. Apart from that, trimming the beard is against the Sunnah, whether or not the man's beard is pleasing to him, and whether or not it is
pleasing to others, for all of Allaah's creation is handsome, as in the saheeh hadeeth, where the Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) saw a man with a long waist-shirt and ordered him to have his izaar halfway up his shins; the man gave the excuse that he had a defect in his ankles, so the Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "All of Allaah's creation is handsome." (saheeh-
Ahmad and others. This phrase is actually of Qur'anic origin cf. Sajdah 32:7).  According to His Wisdom, Allaah has differentiated between men and women, created man with a beard and created women without a beard; He did not do this without reason.

Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi (Rahimahullah)
an authority on Islam writes, "It is an unanimous verdict for the Ummah that to shorten the beard less than a grip of the hand is forbidden".

Abu`Abdillah Muhammad al-Jibaly
 All the `ulamaa of as-Salaf , including the Four Imams, agreed that shaving the beard is haram (prohibited). They considered shaving it an impermissible mutilation, as has been reported about Umar bin Abdil-Aziz. They used to consider the person who shaved his beard effeminate. Many of them would not accept his witness or allow him to lead the prayers.

Sheikh Muhammad Salih Al-Munajjid
Shaving the beard is haraam because of the saheeh ahaadeeth that clearly state this, and because of the general application of texts that forbid resembling the kuffaar. One of these reports is the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Umar who said that the Messenger of Allaah  (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said: “Be different from the mushrikeen: let your beards grow and trim your moustaches.” According to another report: “Trim your moustaches and let your beards grow.” There are other hadeeth which convey the same meaning, which is to leave the beard as it is and let it grow long, without shaving, plucking or cutting any part of it.

Shaikh Abu Bakr Al Jazari
writes, "One should leave his beard until it fills his face (he has a full beard at least one fist), because the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) has ordered, shorten your moustaches and lengthen your beards."

Shaikh Ibn AbdilBarr (Rahimahullah)
Said "If is forbidden to shave the beard, only the effeminate do so."  And Umar Bin Al-Khattab (Radhiallaahu Án) and Umar Bin AbdulAziz (Radhiallaahu Án) both did not accept the testimony of a person who shaved his beard. (From "Why a Muslim Must grow his beard" by Shaikh Sameh Strauch)

May Allah(swt) give us the ability to obey his orders and follow the Sunna of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam).

Trimming the moustaches.......

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 72, Hadith # 776:
Narrated Ibn Umar: The Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "To get the moustaches cut 'short is characteristic of the Fitra."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 72, Hadith # 778:
Narrated Ibn 'Umar (Radhiallaahu Án): Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said, "To shave the pubic hair. to clip the nails and to cut the moustaches short, are characteristics of the Fitra."

Sahih Al-Bukhari Volume 7, Book 72, Hadith # 780:
It is narrated about Ibn Umar (Radhiallaahu Án) "Ibn Umar used to cut his moustache so short that the whiteness of his skin (above the upper lip) was visible"
Unfortunatly the Muslims today have adopted the ways of kuffar and made it into a fashion to have big thick moustaches and shaved beards.  We should fear Allah (SWT) and go back to what Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) has ordered us to do. "As it comes in Sahih Al-bukhari Volume 7, Book 72, Hadith # 780: Narrated Nafi': Ibn Umar said, The Prophet said, 'Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short.' May Allah(SWT) bring the Muslims back on this!  Even Ibrahim (AS) used to do this as it comes in the next hadith...

Imaam Malik's Muwatta Book 49, Hadith # 49.3.4:
Yahya related to me from Malik from Yahya ibn Said that Said ibn al-Musayyub said, "Ibrahim, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was the first to give hospitality to the guest and the first person to be circumcised and the first person to trim the moustache and the first person to see grey hair. He said, 'O Lord! What is this?' Allah the Blessed, the Exalted, said, 'It is dignity, Ibrahim.' He said, 'Lord, increase me in dignity!' "
Yahya said that he had heard Malik say, "One takes from the moustache until the edge of the lip appears, that is the rim. One does not cut if off completely so that one mutilates oneself." And this is why one should NOT shave the moustache as Imam Malik was asked about the person who completely shaves his moustache, he said that he sees that he should be beaten up, he also said that this is an innovation that appeared between people. [Narrated by Al-Bayhaqi, also mentioned in Fath Al-Bari, 10/347].

But we should just trim the moustache short as that is the Sunna of our beloved Rasulullah(Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) and of Ibrahim (AS) and of the Sahaba (Radhiallaahu Án).

Imaam's leading Salah without a beard

Ibn Majah  page #77
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam) said "Let not a sinful and immoral person lead in a prayer of a true believer."

It is also stated in Raddul Mukhtar (page 560, vol. 1),
‘It is makrooh-e-tahrimi for a fasiq (immoral person) to lead the prayers. An Imaam is the best person in the community worthy of leading the people in their prayers, he should be pious and apparently free from sin and immorality.’ In a hadith of the Holy Prophet (Sallallaahu Álayhi Wasallam, "If you wish that your prayers are accepted, than the most pious amongst should act as your Imaam, for he is a messenger between you and your Lord."

It is apparent from these ahaadith that an Imaam must grow a beard in order to lead the prayers. According to all four schools of thought (Madhabs), it is compulsory upon a Muslim man to grow a beard and refrain from shaving it, or trimming it to less than the length of a fist. For further proofs and fatawa read..Advice to a Imaam that shaves from  Shaikh Muhammad S. Al-Munajjid

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