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.
What Islam says About the Beard From The Shari Length of the Beard by Mufti
Afzal Elias, May Allah reward him abundantly, aameen.Transferred to the web
for the benefit of all Muslims by Islam.tc
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