Men's Issues: The Beard

The Ruling on Shaving the Beard

Question:

I would like you to clarify the ruling on shaving the beard or trimming it. And what are the beard's extents prescribed in the Religion.

Reply:

Shaving the beard is unlawful because it is disobedience to Allaah's Messenger SAWS, for the Prophet SAAWS said: "Leave the beards (to grow) and trim the moustaches." And it is also a sign of one's abandoning the guidance of the messengers to the guidance of the fire-worshippers (majoos) and polytheists. The extent of the beard as has been stated by the linguists is the hair of the face, the jawbones and the cheeks, meaning that everything that is on the cheeks, the jawbones and the chin is part of the beard.

Trimming it or cutting any part of it also falls into disobedience and sin since the Messenger SAAWS said (in various ahaadeeth): "Leave (i'afoo) the beards (to grow)", "Loosen (arkhoo) the beards", "Grow the beards abundantly (waffiroo)", and "Keep (awfoo) the beards" This indicates that it is not lawful to trim or cut any part of it. However sins are at different levels, so shaving it is a greater sin than trimming it since shaving is a greater and more obviously apparent wrongdoing than trimming.

[Sheikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih Al-'Uthaimeen. Published by Daar Al-Aasimah from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia]