The Ruling On One Who mocks the Beard

Q: The beard is a Sunnah from among the authentic Sunan of the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam), but there are some people who shave it, some who shorten it, some who reject it altogether, some who claim that it is a Sunnah for which those who do it will be rewarded, while those who do not do it will not be punished. Among the foolish people are those who say: "If there were any virtue in the beard, (hair) would not grow in the pubic area" - may Allah debase them! So what is the ruling on each of these different persons, and what is the ruling on the one who rejects the Sunnah of the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam)?

A: The authentic Sunnah of Allah's Messenger (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) proves the obligation of growing the beard and the forbiddance of shaving or cutting it, such as in the Hadith narrated in the Two Sahihs, on the authority of Ibn 'Umar which says that the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) said: “Clip your moustaches and grow your beards, differ from the polytheists” (Ahmad 2: 229).

In Sahih Muslim, on the authority of Abu Hurairah, it is reported that the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) said: “Pare your moustaches and leave your beards, differ from the Zoroas trains” (Muslim no. 260).

These two Hadiths and other Hadiths which carry the same meaning, all prove the obligation to grow the beard and the forbiddance of shaving it or cutting it, as we have said.

Whoever claimed that growing it is a Sunnah for which those who do it will be rewarded, while those who abandon it do not merit punishment, then he is mistaken and has contradicted the authentic Hadiths. This is because the rule is that commands are obligatory and prohibitions forbid, and it is not permissible for anyone to contradict the obvious meaning of the authentic Hadiths, unless he has a proof to show otherwise; and there is no evidence to indicate that these Hadiths carry any meaning besides the obvious one.

As for what At-Tirmithi has reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) used to cut his beard lengthwise and widthwise, it is a false Hadith. It cannot be authentically traced to the Messenger of Allah (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam), because it contains in its chain of narrators one who was accused of lying.

As for one who mocks it and compares it to pubic hair, he is guilty of a great sin warranting his apostasy from Islam. This is because making fun of anything which is proven by the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of Muhammad (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) is considered an act of disbelief and apostasy from Islam, based upon the Words of Allah, the Almighty, the All-Powerful: “Was it Allah and his Ay at (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations etc.) and His Messenger that you were mocking?" Make no excuse; you have disbelieved after you had believed)” (At-Tawbah 9: 65-66).

The Ruling on Shaving the Cheeks, and is it Allowed for a Man to Shave when He is Fasting?

Q: Is it correct to shave the cheeks, while leaving the beard, and is it correct to shave while fasting, even if blood flows - whether from shaving the head, or the pubic area or other?

A: It is not permissible to shave the cheeks, because they are a part of beard, but it is permissible for a man to shave his head or his pubic area and the like in Ramadhan or any other time, even if blood flows. Indeed, shaving the pubic area is one of the Sunan of Al-Fitrah.

And may peace and blessings of Allah be upon our Prophet, Muhammad and upon his family and Companions.

The Permanent Committee

The Siwak and Bleeding from the Gums

Q: Some  worshippers are in the habit of using the Siwak (Siwak: A stick taken from the root  of the arak tree, used as a toothbrush) at the time of the Iqamah, which causes odor to be emitted from the mouth and may cause bleeding; is this implementation of the noble Hadith which states: “Where it not it would be a burden on my people, I would have ordered them to use the Siwak at every prayer?” (Al-Bukhari no. 887 and At-Tirmithi no. 23).

A: This action is not disliked, indeed, it is the essence of the Sunnah, as the aforementioned Hadith makes clear; and no attention should be given to those dislike it. It is not true that it causes a bad smell; indeed, it cleans the mouth and gives a good smell, as he (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) said: “The Siwak cleans the mouth and pleases the Lord” (An-Nasa'i no. 5).

As for the flowing of a little blood from the teeth when using the Siwak, this is not a reason to abandon its use in the mosque and at the time of prayer, as this rarely occurs and ceases with continual and habitual use of the Siwak.

Ibn Jibreen

Cutting the Hair and Letting it Grow Long

Q: I heard a Hadith which states that a man shaved some of the hair on his head and left some it, and the Messenger of Allah (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) forbade this, saying: “Shave all of it, or leave all of it” (An-Nasa'i no. 5051 and Abu Dawood no. 4195). So is shortening it forbidden, and how should we understand the Words of Allah, the Most High: “…having your heads shaved and (some) having your head hair cut short…” (Al-Fath 48: 27).

A: Shortening the hair on the head is not forbidden, neither is shaving it Indeed, the former is permissible and so is the latter, but it is better for a person to follow what is the usual practice, if we say that removing some of the hair is a custom, rather than a Sunnah.

As for what he has indicated in his question, the Hadith refers to the occasion when the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) saw a man who had shaved a section of his head and left a section of it, so the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) ordered him to shave all of it, or leave all of it. But if it is shaved or cut, or left without shaving or cutting, there is no objection to that. As for the Words of Allah, the Most High: “...having your heads shaved and cut short”.

this refers to what Allah, the Most Glorified, Most High promised His Messenger (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) and his Companions, when He said: “Certainly, you shall enter Al-Masjid Al-Haram if Allah wills, secure (some) having your heads shaved and (some) having your head hair cut short...” (Al-Fath 48: 27).

- because it is allowed for the one making 'Umrah to shave his head or shorten his hair, though there is evidence which indicates that shaving it is better than cutting it, and that is

the case.

Ibn 'Uthaimin

The Ruling on Men using Kohl

Q: What is the ruling on men using kohl (Kohl: Pulverized antimony) on the eyes, without any reason (such as eye inflammation, infection etc.)

A: The use of kohl falls into two categories: One is the use of kohl in order to strengthen the eyesight, to clear cloudiness from the eyes and to clean them and purify them, not in order to beautify them - to this there is no objection. In fact, it is something which should be done, as the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) used to apply kohl to his eyes, especially if it is with pure antimony. The other is the use of kohl for the purpose of beautification, and this is for women, as the woman is expected to beautify herself for her husband; but as for men, I do not know what the ruling is.

Ibn 'Uthaimin

The Ruling on Dyeing the Beard Black

Q: What is the ruling on dyeing the beard black, and what w| is the ruling on the one who does so?

A: It is not permissible to dye white hair black, whether it is on the head or the beard, because it has been confirmed by authentic Hadiths from the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) that he forbade it.

But it is lawful to change it to a color other than black, such as red or blonde, with henna and Katam mixed together, based upon the saying of the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam): “Change this white hair, but avoid black” (Muslim no. 2102 and Abu Dawud no. 4204). And his saying (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam): “Verily, the Jews and the Christians do not dye their hair, so be different from them” (Muslim no. 2103).

And Allah is the Granter of success.

Ibn Baz

The Ruling on Men Shortening their Eyebrows

Q: lf the hair of the eyebrows becomes thick, is it permissible to shorten it a little, without intending to imitate women, or change Allah's creation?

A: l do not consider it allowed to pluck the eyebrows, or to trim them or shave them; this is because Allah, the Most High caused them to grow for the purpose of beauty and decoration, and they protect and preserve the eyes. Therefore, their removal by a man or a woman is changing the creation of Allah, but because it is mostly women who do so, the threat of the curse was made upon them.

Ibn Jibreen

The Legal Length of the Beard and the Ruling on Shaving the Beard

Q: I request your Excellencies to make clear the ruling on shaving the beard, or removing anything from it, and what is the legislated area of the beard?

A: Shaving the beard is forbidden, because it is disobedience to the Messenger of Allah (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam), for the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) said: “Grow your beards and shorten your moustaches” (Ahmad 2: 229).

And because it is a departure from the guidance of the Messengers to the guidance of the Zoroastrians and the polytheists. The legislated area of the beard is as defined by the scholars of language, which is that it is the facial hair, the jaws and the cheeks, that is, the hair on the cheeks, jaws and chin - all of that is the beard. And removing anything from it is an act of disobedience and also, because the Messenger (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) said: “Grow your beards ...” and: “Leave your beards ...” and: “Let your beards...” and: “Expand your beards...” - and this proves that it is not permitted to remove anything from it; however, acts of disobedience differ, so shaving is worse than removing a part of it, because it is a greater and clearer violation than removing a part of it.

Ibn 'Uthaimin

The Ruling on Shaving the Beard

Q: What is the ruling on shaving the beard?

A: The Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam); said: “Shorten your moustaches and grow your beards” (Ahmad 2: 52).

And he included among the ten characteristics of the Fitrah: trimming the moustache and growing the beard. And the beard of the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) was thick. And Allah, the Most High says that Harun said: “O son of my mother! Seize (me) not by my beard, nor by my head!” (Ta-Ha 20: 94).

The beard is the hair which grows on the jaws and the chin. The left and right (bottom) jaws are the places from which the lower teeth grow and the beard encompasses the left and right jaws, and since these authentic commands have been given, it is obligatory upon the Muslim to obey Allah. Obedience is not complete, unless it is full compliance, therefore whoever shaves his beard has disobeyed the words of the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam): “Grow your beards...” and: “Expand your beards...” and: “Let your beards…” and: “Leave your beards ...”

So the shaver or the one who trims it has violated that obedience and committed an act of disobedience, therefore he must turn to Allah in repentance and remorse, and Allah turns in forgiveness to those who repent to Him. And Allah knows best.

Ibn Jibreen

The Ruling on Shaving the Beard and Keeping the Moustache

Q: I have heard (the Hadith): “Honor your beards and trim your moustaches.”

So what is the ruling on leaving the moustache and shaving the beard?

A: What you have heard of his (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) sayings (such as): “Shorten your moustaches and grow your beards” is correct. That is, trim your moustaches, and do not let it grow long because of the harm and risk from uncleanness. As for the beard, it is for beauty and decoration, this is why Allah has forbidden shaving it. And the Prophet (Salallahou ‘aleyhi wa salam) ordered us to grow it and to leave it; and following him and obeying him is obligatory for his adherents and his people.

Ibn Jibreen