Ibn Bazz: Clear Answer on Growing/Shaving the Beard

Clear Answer on Growing/Shaving the Beard 

From `Abdul­`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz to his dear brother, Shaykh M.D.`A.D. may Allah increase his knowledge and Iman (Faith), and bless him wherever he may be! Amen. 

A s­salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!) 

I received your precious letter dated 13/10/1394 A.H., may Allah guide you and grant you success! It included that you and some of the Azhari teachers disputed the ruling on growing, shaving and trimming the beards. 

( Part No : 6, Page No: 376) 

Neither of you was convinced of the other's opinion and you want a definite answer concerning this issue. 

A: It is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) that he ordered us to let our beards grow in the Hadith of Ibn `Umar mentioned in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al­Bukhari and Muslim), and in the Hadith of Abu Hurayrah mentioned in the Sahih Book of Muslim. Other Hadiths were reported in other than the two Sahih Books of Hadith, all of which indicate the obligation of growing the beards and the prohibition of shaving or trimming them. The basic principle in orders is obligation and the basic principle in inhibition is prohibition. It is impermissible for anyone to interpret texts in a way other than their apparent meaning except with authentic, dependable supporting evidence. There is no supporting evidence for those who interpret those Hadiths in a way other than their apparent meaning and claim that they do not indicate the obligation of growing the beard or prohibition of shaving it. 

It wasrelated by Al­Tirmidhy on the authority of Abu Hurayrah(may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to shave some hairs from the length and width of his beard. This Hadith is false according to scholars, since its Isnad (chain of narration) includes `Umar ibn Harun Al­Balkhy, who is considered a liar according to most of the great scholars of Hadith as mentioned by Al­ Hafizh Ibn Hajar in his books "Tahdhib Al­Tahdhib" and "Taqrib Al­Tahdhib". This was also mentioned by Al­Dhahaby in "Al­Mizan." 

Our brother, the great scholar, Shaykh `Abdul­Rahman ibn Qasim Al­`Asimy (may Allah be merciful with him), wrote a book about this issue, attached are two copies thereof. I hope that this book and what we mentioned are enough to answer your question. May Allah grant you, us and all our brothers comprehension of His Religion, help us stick to it, and protect us all from misleading Fitnahs (temptation)! He is All­Hearer, Ever Near. 

As­salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh 

President of the Islamic University in Al­Madinah Al­Munawwarah