Shaving the Moustache: Sunnah or Bid'ah?

Imaam Malik (ra) stated: "This (i.e. shaving the moustache) is a bid ah that has appeared among the people ... my opinion in regard to a person who completely shaves his moustache is that he should be beaten." [Recorded by al-Bayhaqi (1:151)]

Imaam Malik (ra) had a big moustache. When questioned about that, he reported that when Hadhrat ‘Umar (R.A) got angry, 'he would roll his moustache and blow'. [Recorded by at-Tabarani in al-Kabir]

Therefore, the Maliki School states that the moustache should not be completely removed, rather only shortened. The Shafi’ees also hold a similar view.

However, the Hanafi position is that ’it is a Sunnah to shave the moustache, and it is better than shortening it.’ (Imaam Tahawi (ra), and this is also the position of Imaam Abu Hanifa (ra) and both his main students). (See: Tahawi, Sharh Ma’ani al-Athaar, 4.229)

He also reported, with his authentic chains of transmission, that this was from the practice of great Companions, Abdullah ibn Umar, Abu Hurayra, Abu Sa’eed al-Khudree, Anas ibn Malik, and others (radiallaahu 'anhum ajma'een). (ibid.)

Imam Ibn Abidin (ra) states that the opinion of shaving off the moustache being a Sunnah, was chosen by many scholars. (Radd al-Muhtar)

Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (ra) used to shave his moustache, thus the Hanbali position is also similar to that of the Hanafis.

Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi (ra) has stated in Behishti Zewar: 'It is sunnah to clip the moustache to such an extent that it is clipped to the skin. There is a difference of opinion with regard to shaving the moustache. According to some it is a bid’ah, while others have permitted it. Caution demands that one does not shave it.'

And Allaah knows best what is most correct.

» Posted by Seifeddine-M on 14th July 2011

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