What Islam says About the Beard

From The Shari Length of the Beard by Mufti Afzal Hoosen Elias, May Allah reward
him abundantly, Aameen.

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.