SHAVING/CUTTING OF THE BEARD IN ISLAM
QUESTION:
As Salaamu Alaikum.
I want a fatwa on shaving and cutting of beard. Which one is permitted in Islam and which is not? JazakAllahu khair
ANSWER:
Wa Alaikum As Salaam,
Keeping the beard is one of the symbols of Islam, and the blessed Messenger of Allah ﷺ has given strong and firm instructions to the males to keep the beard. In a tradition from Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه he narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Oppose the polytheists, grow the beard and shorten the moustache.” (Bukhari)
In another tradition Abu Hurairah رضي الله عنه narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Shorten the moustache and lengthen the beard, and oppose the fire worshippers.” (Muslim). Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنه also narrated that the Prophet ﷺ ordered a person to shorten the moustache and lengthen the beard. (Muslim)
On account of these narrations, the Imams of Fiqh and generally, all the reliable scholars of the former and latter generations have considered it essential for a Muslim male to keep the beard.
With respect to the length, many authentic narrations and reports show that it is essential for one to grow the beard to the length of one fist. When it crosses this length, it will be allowed for one to trim the excess. However, it will not be permissible to cut it or trim it before it reaches this length. (Durr Al Mukhtar)
With respect to shaving the beard, the scholars of the Maliki Mazhab and those of the Hanbali Mazhab have stated that it is Haram for one to shave his beard. The scholars of the Mazhab of Imam Abu Hanifa and of Imam Shafi state that it is Makrooh Tahreema (gravely disliked and detestable, being close to Haram) for one to shave the beard.
(Al Fiqh Al Islami Wa Adilatihi Vol 4 pg 2659 Maktaba Rasheediya Queta Pakistan)
And Allah Knows Best
Mufti Waseem Khan
25/9/2018