Question:

(1) In hanafi fiqh, is keeping a beard less than a fist considered (a) Haram, (b) Makruh Tahrimi, (c) Makruh Tanzihi or (d) Mubah? (2) Is a clean shaved person considered a fasiq or does this designation include those with beards less than the length of the fist?

Answer:

According to the majority of scholars to shave the beard is Haram and a grave sin. Shaikh Mahmood Khattab, the author of the commentary of Sunnan Abu Daud writes: "Thus the shaving of the beard is forbidden according to the Mujtahid Imams of the Muslims Abu Hanifah, Malik, Al-Shafī and Ahmad amongst others." (Qouted in Shaikh Zakariyyah's "Wujub Iifa` al-Lihya", p36). As for the ruling about keeping it to the extent of a fist, again the Majority have said it is obligatory (Wajib) and to cut it is Makruh Tahrimi and sinful: Ibn Abideen writes that; "As for trimming the beard beyond the fist, as some Maghribi and effeminate men do, no one has permitted it," Rad al-Muhtar quoting from Fath al-Qadir, Kitab al-Sawm, vol.3 p.398. Thus a person who trims his beard would be considered a Fasiq (sinner). People need to be made aware about the seriousness of this sin as it is open rebellion against the commands of Allah taala and His Messenger, peace and blessings upon him. If a person sins in secret out of a weakness then it can be hoped that Allah taala in His Mercy will forgive him on the Day of Judgment. However the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, has taught that when a person sins openly then he is displaying his fearlessness before Allah taala and such blatant display of disobedience will never be forgiven by Allah taala. The Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, said: "All my Umma will gain forgiveness (on the Day of Judgment) except those who sin openly," (Bukhari and Muslim). The importance of having a beard stems simply from the fact that the last Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded Muslim men to lengthen their beards. This is the natural state for men and is meant to separate them from women, thus a reason why it is forbidden to shave the beard is also because one takes on the resemblance of women which is also a heinous sin. Ibn Abbas r.a. narrates that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings upon him, cursed men who resemble women and women who resemble men (Bukhari). Thus for a true follower and lover of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings upon him, it is not a difficult issue to decide about. As for those whose hearts have greater love for film stars, footballers, musicians and the misguided of this world, because their loyalties and affiliation lie elsewhere, their brainwashed minds find it difficult to accept that it is obligatory for them to keep a beard. Today, in a world that is full of people who despise those who follow the beautiful teachings of the final Prophet, Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, it is more important than ever for all the male followers of Islam to show unity and solidarity by embracing the same noble appearance. This would also send a message to the World that we will not be cowered in to leaving our Religion. The Prophet Muhammad ordered, in no ambiguous terms, that it was necessary for all male men to have beards and that trimming it or worse still shaving it would be sinful. In the hadith found in many books of hadith such as Bukhari and Sharh Maani al-Athar of Imam Tahavi, he, peace and blessings be upon him said: "Make the beards to grow greatly and trim the moustaches." We also understand from this hadith the fallacy of the weak view being propounded amongst some that it is sufficient to have some hair on the face, such that from afar one can tell it is beard. This view simply cannot be reconciled by the word A`afoo, which demands that the beard be left to grow greatly as is mentioned by Imam Bukhari. In some narrations, as in Sahih al-Bukhari, Kitab al-Libas, hadith no.5892, we find the word: Waffiroo, which means: make abundant, See Lane's Lexicon p2093 under the word `Afā. It was for this reason that every single companion of the thousands that there were had full beards, including the likes of Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman and Ali r.a. In fact it was, without any exaggeration, the appearance of all the illustrious prophets, scholars and friends of Allah throughout the ages. This being the case, it is baffling, what mesmerism, what deception has led so many of the so called followers of the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings upon him, to trim their beards or shave them off? Any person with feeling in his or her heart will feel hurt to see so many Muslims abandon the beautiful teachings of our beloved Messenger, peace and blessings upon him, and for what? For the Ummah to once again return to the state that it venerates and respects every teaching of her Messenger, peace and blessings upon him, will require a concerted effort from all her members to encourage one another to this. The most effective way is to be an example for others by keeping this Sunnah of our blessed Messenger (peace and blessings upon him). Sisters can also play a role in this. Mothers should encourage their sons, sisters should encourage their brothers and wives should encourage their husbands. Furthermore, it is surprising how many practicing sisters, when it comes to choosing a marriage partner have no qualms in marrying someone who rebels against Allah taala and his Messenger by being clean shaven. Interestingly, it is usually these marriages that in the end suffer problems, because obviously what respect could this person show for his wife's rights when he fails in the rights of the Creator? Sisters should reject any suitor for marriage, if he is lacking in this regard. It goes without saying the same goes for if he leaves other obligations in the Deen and is uncompromising. The Religion teaches us that the most important quality one should be looking for in one's partner for life is that they be pious and God-fearing. Thus, to marry such a person, regardless of this, just shows one's own lack of love for Islam and the Messenger of Islam who without doubt would be pained to see so many of his followers rejecting his blessed appearance and teaching and preferring the styles and ways of the misguided. Finally in a time when not having a beard has become the hallmark of those who oppose Islam, who ridicule and malign Muslims, who maltreat practicing Muslims whose only cherished goal and wish is to sincerely follow the most beloved person to them in this world, we have a very serious but simple choice to make. The disastrous consequences of continuing to align oneself, albeit in appearance, with the wicked, immoral and misguided people of this World is, as the Messenger, peace and blessings upon him, said because such a person's heart is enamored by the appearances of misguided rock stars, actors and actresses, he will fail to find himself in the sanctuary of the company of the Mercy to the Worlds on the Day of Judgment. Rather, he will find himself in their wretched company, for the Prophet, peace and blessings upon him, said: An Individual will be on the Day of Judgement with those he used to love (Tirmidhi). In another hadith he warned his followers in these words: Whosoever increases the numbers of a people is from amongst them (Mishkat).

Mufti Mohammed Sajjad

Wallahu Aalam bis-sawab

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The answer to this question is the opinion of the scholar and does not reflect the opinion of other scholars of As-Suffa Institute and As-Suffa Institute as an organisation.