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Bismillah



THIS ARTICAL IS FROM OUR Islamic Mentor(ON MY OTHER SITE)


Beard: The Man's Hijab

The importance of keeping a beard according to the four madhabs

By: Syed Masrur


Verily all praises is for Allah, we praise Him and seek His aid and ask for His forgiveness, and we seek refuge with Allah from the evils of ourselves and our evil actions. Whom Allah chooses to guide, none that can mislead him and whom He chooses mislead, none that can guide him. I bear witness that none has the right to be worship except Allah Alone, having no partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad (sallallaahu ‘ alayhi ‘wa sallam (peace and blessings upon him) (saw)) is His slave and His Messenger.


Sura 4 - An-Nisa [Women] Verse 1-1:
1. يَا أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ اتَّقُوا رَبَّكُمُ الَّذِي خَلَقَكُمْ مِنْ نَفْسٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَخَلَقَ مِنْهَا زَوْجَهَا وَبَثَّ مِنْهُمَا رِجَالا كَثِيرًا وَنِسَاءً وَاتَّقُوا اللَّهَ الَّذِي تَسَاءَلُونَ بِهِ وَالأرْحَامَ إِنَّ اللَّهَ كَانَ عَلَيْكُمْ رَقِيبًا


Sura 4 - An-Nisa [Women] Verse 1-1:
1. O mankind! reverence your Guardian-Lord, who created you from a single person, created, of like nature, His mate, and from them twain scattered (like seeds) countless men and women;- reverence Allah, through whom ye demand your mutual (rights), and (reverence) the wombs (That bore you): for Allah ever watches over you.



Sura 33 - Al-Ahzab [The Clans, the Coalition, the Combined Forces] Verse 70-71:
70. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ وَقُولُوا قَوْلا سَدِيدًا
71. يُصْلِحْ لَكُمْ أَعْمَالَكُمْ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَمَنْ يُطِعِ اللَّهَ وَرَسُولَهُ فَقَدْ فَازَ فَوْزًا عَظِيمًا

Sura 33 - Al-Ahzab [The Clans, the Coalition, the Combined Forces] Verse 70-71:
70. O ye who believe! Fear Allah, and (always) say a word directed to the Right:
71. That He may make your conduct whole and sound and forgive you your sins: He that obeys Allah and His Messenger, has already attained the highest achievement.



Sura 3 - Aal-E-Imran [The Family of Imran] Verse 102-102:
102. يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا اتَّقُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ تُقَاتِهِ وَلا تَمُوتُنَّ إِلا وَأَنْتُمْ مُسْلِمُونَ


Sura 3 - Aal-E-Imran [The Family of Imran] Verse 102-102:
102. O ye who believe! Fear Allah as He should be feared, and die not except in a state of Islam.



As for what follows: Verily the most truthful speech is the word of Allah and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (saw) and the worst of affairs are the novelties and every novelty is an innovation and every innovation is going astray and every going astray is in the Fire (of Hell). I ask Allah to guide us to that which is proper – verily He is the one having authority over that and having power to do so.
FOLLOWING THE GUIDANCE

Know, O Muslim that the path of salvation lays in following Allah and his messenger completely. Just as we believe in the shahadat and pray and fast, all other aspects of Islam, Mua'asharaat (social dealings) also plays a vital role in Islam since they are commandments of Allah and his messenger.

Every one of us who has taken the “Shahaadha” knows, that to say it and believe in it, means that we firmly believe with conviction that there is no god except Allah, and Muhammad is his Messenger. This Kalimah actually means that not only do we accept, but we believe everything that entails believing in it, which is following everything that Allah commanded us with, and following everything that the Prophet of Allah commanded us to do. That is the meaning of the Kalimah: “ There is no god But Allah…”.We cannot believe in half of what Allah has commanded and then reject other commandments from Allah because we are displeased with it, or reject any commandments of Muhammad (saw) because we dislike it. Allah has clearly stated in the Quran that:

Sura 4 - An-Nisa [Women] Verse 65-65:
65. فَلا وَرَبِّكَ لا يُؤْمِنُونَ حَتَّى يُحَكِّمُوكَ فِيمَا شَجَرَ بَيْنَهُمْ ثُمَّ لا يَجِدُوا فِي أَنْفُسِهِمْ حَرَجًا مِمَّا قَضَيْتَ وَيُسَلِّمُوا تَسْلِيمًا

Sura 4 - An-Nisa [Women] Verse 65-65:
65. But no, by the Lord, they can have no (real) Faith, until they make thee judge in all disputes between them, and find in their souls no resistance against Thy decisions, but accept them with the fullest conviction.


So likewise, all commandments by the messenger, (whether it is the way we pray, treat each other or keeping the beard) we follow his, even if it is not clear to us what the apparent reasons are. And this is the true faith and true guidance. Guidelines regarding a person's outer appearance, form and clothing are contained in the teachings of Islam and a true, complete Muslim is he who adheres to these Islamic teachings and practices them. While Allah is aware of our inner qualities, there is a social need for our outer condition to be correct. Therefore, the claim of having complete Islam without one's outer condition being proper is false.

The following words of Prophet (saw) are narrated by many Sahaba’s (companions) in authentic Ahaadith:


Sahih Bukhari - Dress - Volume 7 - Book 72:
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.' 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.


Since time immemorial, every nation and religion has some special distinguishing mark or symbol. These differences make an important effect on a person due to the nature of identity and values represented by the society. History has proven that a nation which does not adhere to its distinguishing features finally loses its entire identity and dissolves with another nation.

When Prophet Mohammad (saw) came to the world, Kufr and Shirk was common everywhere. The Mushrikeen (idolaters) had their own customs and rituals. Through Islam, the messenger of Allah (saw) prepared a nation who was completely different from all other nations. They followed Prophet (saw) in every way - from Ibaadat (worshipping) and etiquettes right down to their outward appearance, attire and dress, according to the Quranic injunction:

Sura 33 - Al-Ahzab [The Clans, the Coalition, the Combined Forces] Verse 21-21:
21. لَقَدْ كَانَ لَكُمْ فِي رَسُولِ اللَّهِ أُسْوَةٌ حَسَنَةٌ لِمَنْ كَانَ يَرْجُو اللَّهَ وَالْيَوْمَ الآخِرَ وَذَكَرَ اللَّهَ كَثِيرًا

Sura 33 - Al-Ahzab [The Clans, the Coalition, the Combined Forces] Verse 21-21:
21. Ye have indeed in the Messenger of Allah a beautiful pattern (of conduct) for any one whose hope is in Allah and the Final Day, and who engages much in the Praise of Allah.


Similarly Allah has mentioned to the Ummah via Prophet (saw):

Sura 3 - Aal-E-Imran [The Family of Imran] Verse 31-31:
31. قُلْ إِنْ كُنْتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ وَاللَّهُ غَفُورٌ رَحِيمٌ

Sura 3 - Aal-E-Imran [The Family of Imran] Verse 31-31:
31. Say: "If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."


From the above Verse, it becomes apparent that the Quran has given an order to this Ummah to follow the lifestyle, ways and outward appearance of Prophet (Saw) which he has ordered. There are many more verses mentioned in the Quran regarding this.

Shah Waliullah Muhaddith Dahlawi (RA) has mentioned the following benefits of keeping a beard:



“The beard helps in differentiating seniors from juniors. It is a means of honour and beauty for a person. A person's man-hood is completed by keeping a beard. It is the Sunnah of all the Prophets (Alaihis-Salaam). Shaving the beard is the practice of the fire Worshippers, Hindus and most non-Muslims. Similarly, due to the fact that generally common people as well as people of low status shave their beards, a person who does not keep a beard will be included among them.” 1



In shaving the beard one of the harms is that a person will be imitating the non-Muslims, and it has been narrated in a Hadith.



”The person who imitates a nation is from amongst them.” 2



The above Hadith is an important principle for the Deen of Islam from which many laws are extracted. Another harm of shaving the beard is that a person resembles females, as women do not have beards. It is narrated in a Hadith:



"Prophet (saw) had cursed such men who imitate women and such women who imitate men.” 3



May Allah save us from the curse of Prophet (saw).

Allah has kept this as a natural difference between man and woman. The person who opposes this is in actual fact opposing the decision of the Sovereign of all sovereigns, and he is changing the natural creation of Allah. Allah mentions:

Sura 30 - Ar-Room [The Romans, The Byzantines] Verse 30-30:
30. فَأَقِمْ وَجْهَكَ لِلدِّينِ حَنِيفًا فِطْرَةَ اللَّهِ الَّتِي فَطَرَ النَّاسَ عَلَيْهَا لا تَبْدِيلَ لِخَلْقِ اللَّهِ ذَلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ وَلَكِنَّ أَكْثَرَ النَّاسِ لا يَعْلَمُونَ

Sura 30 - Ar-Room [The Romans, The Byzantines] Verse 30-30:
30. So set thou thy face steadily and truly to the Faith: (establish) Allah's handiwork according to the pattern on which He has made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: that is the standard Religion: but most among mankind understand not.


It is sufficient for a Muslim that one sacrifices oneself in only following the way of Prophet (saw). The beard of Prophet (saw) is described as follows in Shamaail Tirmidhi:



"The beard of Prophet (saw) covered his chest from right to left." 4



In Shamaail Tirmidhi it is stated that Prophet (saw) had a thick beard (pg 2). The person who has a glimpse of love in his heart, will desire to follow Prophet (saw). He will gain satisfaction by the mere thought that he will resemble Prophet (saw).
THE RULING (MASAAIL)


It is stated in Fatawa Darul Deoband (Fatawa No. 967) that a Muslim who shaves his beard or trims it less than a fist length is a Faasiq (Transgressor). To read Salaat behind such a person is Makrooh.5

At another place it is stated: "The person whose beard is shaven is a Faasiq, and just as for him leading the Fardh prayer is Makrooh-Tahrimi so is for him leading the Taraweeh Salaat." 6

Mufti Rasheed Ahmed Ludhyanwi writes in Ahsaanul Fatawa. "A person who trims or shaves his beard and adopts a western hairstyle is a Faasiq. Thus his call to prayer (Adhan & Iqamah) is Makrooh-Tahrimi. It becomes Mustahab (desirable) to repeat the Adhan, not the Iqamah." 7

It is stated in Durre Mukhtar: To trim the beard less than a fist length (as some people of the west and some men who imitate women do) has not been regarded as permissible by any Scholar. To shave the entire beard is an act of the Jews of India and the non-Arabs and the fire worshippers. 8

The above text indicates that to shave the beard and trim it less than a fist length is not permissible. The Ulema of all four Schools of Fiqh (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hambali) have consensus on this ruling. 9
The verdict of the four Imaams of Fiqh has been quoted in Moulana Mohammed Zakariya (RA)'s book entitled "Dhari ka Wujoob" and Mufti Saeed Ahmed Palanpuri's book entitled "Dhari awar Nabi ki Sunnat" as well as Mufti Mohammed Shafi (RA)'s book entitled "Jawahir-ul-fiqh." The above books can be referred to.



PROOF THAT TO KEEP A BEARD IS WAAJIB

All Ulema (scholars) regard keeping of the beard at least one fist length, as being Waajib (compulsory) or Fardh (obligatory) and trimming it less than this as Haram (prohibited) on the basis that it is the nature and disposition blessed upon man by Allah. Similarly it was the pattern and practice of all the Prophets (saw). Prophet (Saw) has always emphatically commanded the keeping of the beard. Prophet (saw) and his blessed Companions also practiced upon it. Prophet (saw) abhorred such disbelievers who shaved their beards. He disliked even looking at them.


Ibn Umar (RA) narrates that Prophet (saw) has said: "Oppose the Mushrikeen (idolaters) and lengthen the beard and shorten the moustache." 10



Abu Hurairah (RA) narrates that Prophet (Saw) has said: "Trim the moustache and lengthen the beard (let the beard hang). Oppose the fire worshippers." 11



Ayesha (RA) narrates that Prophet (saw) has said: "Ten things are fitrat (natural). To cut the moustache and lengthen the beard (are from amongst these ten things)." 12



Ibn Abbas (RA) reports from Hadhrat Ayesha (RA) narrates that Prophet (Saw) has cursed such men who imitate women and such women who imitate men. In one narration it stated that such people should be thrown out of their houses. 13



From the above narrations the Mujtahideen and Fuqaha have decreed that it is waajib to keep a beard, because there is a common order mentioned in the Hadith proving wujoob (compulsory) and when there is no reason to take any other meaning. In these Hadith there is no other reason, hence it proves compulsion (wujoob) of the beard.
Hafiz ibn Hajar (RA) has written in the commentary of Sahih Bukhari that the fire worshipers used to shave the beards and some of them used to trim it. The Hadith has ordered that these ways should be opposed. 14



All the companions of the Prophet (saw) and pious believers have acted upon this order of Prophet (saw). Acting contrary to this order has not been recorded. Instead, stern warnings and admonitions have been narrated for not keeping a beard. Therefore, this command is Wajib (compulsory).

Hence to shave the beard is also a major sin, and the person who commits a major sin is “faasiq” (i.e. grave sinner with impending punishment from Allah). Therefore all the Muftis (scholars) of the Hanafi Fiqh have passed the ruling of compulsion (wujoob) for keeping a beard.

May Allah save all the Muslims from the curse of Allah and his Messenger (saw), and give us courage to follow Islam completely!

Your Brother in Islam,
Syed Masrur
Islamic Mentor

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The above text indicates that to shave the beard and trim it less than a fist length is not permissible. The Ulema of all four Schools of Fiqh (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hambali) have consensus on this ruling. 9

Asslamo Allaikum,

I have full Beard myself and I am a Hanafi but this text seems incorrect. It is "acceptable " in the Shaf;ae Madhab to trim the Beard when its less then a fist length.

It is preferrable to have a full Beard but I am merely pointing out the officical position of the Shaf'ae School.

Allah (SWT) knows best.

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"Various present day scholars have misunderstood from what some Shafiee scholars have stated that to shave the beard is Makrooh (disliked). This has been mentioned by Imam Nawawi, Rafi'ee. Allamah Abbadi states, Allamah Ibn Rif'aah refutes this, as Imam Shafiee has mentioned in his famous work Kitab Al-umm, which is thought to be one of his final works: "to shave the beard is Haram."

This has also been mentioned by Allamah Haleemi, Allamah Qaffal Shashi, Allamah Azrai and many other Shafiee scholars.

There are many Ahadeeth, which clearly state the above. Primarily the famous Hadeeth narrated on the authority of 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar and others that the Prophet May Allah's peace and blessings be upon him ordered us to lengthen our beards. This Hadeeth has been narrated with six different words, all of which refer to lengthening the beard and leaving it alone without interfering. This is why in the Shariah (Islamic law) if one was to shave the beard or trim it to less than a fist length then he will be sinful. Allamah Anwar Shah Kashmiri writes,"None of the scholars have permitted trimming the beard to less than a fist length." Various other scholars such as Allamah Hasfaki, Allamah Ashraf Ali Thanwi and Mufti Rasheed Ahmad have mentioned similar to this. "

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Muadh_Khan wrote:

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The above text indicates that to shave the beard and trim it less than a fist length is not permissible. The Ulema of all four Schools of Fiqh (Hanafi, Maliki, Shafi, and Hambali) have consensus on this ruling. 9

Asslamo Allaikum,

I have full Beard myself and I am a Hanafi but this text seems incorrect. It is "acceptable " in the Shaf;ae Madhab to trim the Beard when its less then a fist length.

It is preferrable to have a full Beard but I am merely pointing out the officical position of the Shaf'ae School.

Allah (SWT) knows best.

Isn't the article saying exactly that, that trimming or shaving a beard is impermissible according to all four schools of fiqh? I dont understand which text seems incorrect

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salam

sorry i cant comment on this,because i dont know much about men's hijab(the beard) :-)

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Asslamo Allaikum,

I am not talking about shaving the Beard completely but I am referring to trimming the Beard less then a Fist.

The statement that trimming less then a fist (not shaving) is impermissable in the Shaf'ae Madhab doesn't appear to be a correct statement in my limited knowledge and understanding.

Jazakullah Khairun

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Dear Brothers,

The Author is merely pointing out the official position of the various Schools, and offers a guidelines, a boundary within which one can observe their religious duty. The Author is very clear that shaving the beard is haram, however as to the trimming and how much of it, that depends on ones pursuasion, preference and ultimately piety. Remember Allah doesnt not look at your appearance but your hearts, so it is firstly your intention to please Allah that matters. Other than that, one could find 100's of excuses to follow their hearts desires and find 100's of ways to do that.

As such the Author has highlighted the road traffic laws, according to the Quran and Sunnah, so what car you drive and how you drive it depends on where you want to arrive and how fast you want to get there (i.e the pleasure of Allah) and this is what Allah will judge you ultimately on and not the lenght of your beard.

I hope this clarifies some of your confussion and if you are still in doubt then seek guidance from Allah, ask a scholar near you or the local imam or a student of knowledge you trust.

With Seeking forgiveness from Allah
Student of a Student of Knowledge

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however as to the trimming and how much of it, that depends on ones pursuasion, preference

I kind of agree with you but not fully, There is no preference beyond what Allah and His Prophet (saw) gave us. To prefer something other than what Allah and his Prophet (saw) has shown us than that would be going astray. Allahu Alum.

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abu mohammed wrote:

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however as to the trimming and how much of it, that depends on ones pursuasion, preference

I kind of agree with you but not fully, There is no preference beyond what Allah and His Prophet (saw) gave us. To prefer something other than what Allah and his Prophet (saw) has shown us than that would be going astray. Allahu Alum.

It is mentioned in the ahaadeeth that Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] has commanded us to lengthen the beard and not just to ‘keep’ a beard. The difference between the two is quite clear. If one just ‘keeps’ a shortened beard, he will not be fulfilling the command of Rasulullah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam].

Therefore, the one who intentionally keeps a trimmed beard will not be fulfilling the command of lengthening the beard. The lengthening is Waajib, not just having any sort of a beard.

The words, ‘u’ful lluhaa / waffiroo-lluhaa’ in the ahaadeeth commands us to lengthen the beards, which will (literally) mean, ‘it is Waajib to let the beard grow’ upto whatever length it reaches. If we did not have the narration of Naafi’ that Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Umar (Radhiallaahu Anhu) did trim his beard, then this would have been the case.

Shaykh Hassan Sulaiman

Therfore, to quote another Shaykh: "When you do grow a beard, don't mock the Sunnah, grow it correctly, i.e. FIST LENGTH. That is the prescribed length and no shorter."