Ibn Bazz: The obligation of letting the beard grow and the prohibition of trimming or shaving it

The obligation of letting the beard grow and the prohibition of trimming or shaving it 

All praise be to Allah Alone. Peace and Blessings be upon the Messenger and Servant of Allah, our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions! 

I have received 

a question about the ruling on shaving or trimming the beard and whether anyone who shaves it believing it is lawful is a Kafir (disbeliever)? Does the Hadith related on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) support the obligation of letting the beard grow and prohibition of shaving it or just the desirability of letting it grow? 

A : It is authentically reported from Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Trim closely the mustache and let the beard grow. Be distinguished from Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship)." (Agreed upon by Al­Bukhari and Muslim)The same Hadith was related by Al­Bukhari in his Sahih book of authentic Hadithwith the following wording, "Trim closely the mustache and lengthen the beard! Be distinguished from the Mushriks." Further, it is related by Muslimon the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Trim closely the mustache and grow the beard. Be distinguished from the magi! 

All of these Hadith support the obligation of letting the beard grow freely and the prohibition of shaving or trimming it. The basic rule is that the imperative mood (do) conveys the religious obligation and the imperative negative mood (do not do) conveys the prohibition unless there is evidence specifying otherwise, according to the opinion of Muslim scholars. Allah (Glorified be He) says: And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And fear Allâh; verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment. He (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad صلى االله عليه وسلم) commandment (i.e. his Sunnah legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them. 

( Part No : 10, Page No: 81) 

Imam Ahmad (may Allah be merciful with him) said, "Fitnah here means Shirk (associating others with Allah in His Divinity or worship)." If a Muslim turns down some of the Prophet's commands, they may deviate from the Truth and perish. There is no evidence in the Qur'an or Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet) which denotes that the command in these Hadith means it is Mustahab (desirable). 

There is a Hadithrelated in Al­Tirmidhyon the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) who narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) "used to trim his beard lengthwise and widthwise." According to Muslim scholars, this is a fabricated Hadith, since the Sanad (chain of narrators) has a man called `Umar ibn Harun Al­Bulkhywho is accused of lying. He is the only narrator of this account which contradicts all Hadith Sahih (authentic Hadith). Thus, it is concluded that it is a fabricated Hadith that cannot be taken as evidence to contradict authentic accounts. It is Allah Alone Whose help can be sought. 

There is no doubt that shaving the beard is a greater sin, as it is a complete removal of it and a grave evil that involves acting like women. As for trimming or shortening the beard, it is an evil that contradicts Hadith Sahih but it is less in sin than shaving it. A Muslim who trims his beard is disobedient and not a Kafir, even if he believes it is lawful based on a misunderstanding or due to imitating some scholars. 

Anyone who does so should be advised and warned against this evil, since there are differences among scholars as to the obligation of letting the beard grow and the permissibility of trimming it. 

( Part No : 10, Page No: 82) 

However, I do not know of any scholar who supports the permissibility of shaving the beard. But this does not mean that anyone who believes it is permissible, due to their ignorance or imitation to others, is a Kafir. This is apart from the prohibited matters which are Ma`lum minad­din biddarurah (well­established religious) that have clear evidence. Deeming these matters to be lawful is a major Kufr (disbelief) for anyone who lives among Muslims, while anyone who lives among Kafirs or in the desert away from Muslim scholars, such matters and their evidence should be explained to them. If they insist on deeming it to be lawful, they are considered Kafirs. 

For example, committing Zina (premarital sexual intercourse and/or adultery), consuming Khamr (intoxicant), eating pork and the like of these acts known to be prohibited and the evidence supporting their prohibition are clear in the Qur'an and Sunnah. Thus, claiming to be ignorant of their ruling is not acceptable, especially when it is impossible for such person to be ignorant of their ruling, as explained above. 

I ask Allah to guide us all to beneficial knowledge and righteous deeds and to grant us the understanding of religion and holding fast to it. I seek Allah's Refuge from misleading trials, for He is All­Hearing and Ever Near. As­salamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)