Why a Muslim Must Grow His Beard…

by PM Sat Aug 09, 2008 12:21 am

Dear Brother in Islaam,

As-Salaamu ‘Alaikum wa Rahmatullaahi wa Barakaatuh.

You should know that Allaah, Most High says: It is not for the believing man or woman, when Allaah and His Messenger have decreed a matter that they should have any option in their decision  (Soorah 33:36)

He, the Almighty also says:  And let those who oppose the Messenger’s command-ment beware, lest some affliction befall them or a painful torment be inflicted upon them  (Soorah 24:63)

From the above Qur`aanic verses, it is clear that we are obliged to obey all the command-ments of Allaah’s Messenger  and he has ordered us in several authentic hadeeth to grow our beards and has forbidden us from shaving. He  said: “Trim the moustache and grow the beard and be different from the magiians (fire-worshippers).” (Narrated by Muslim)

When the Messenger of Allaah  received two messengers from the Persian king, Kisraa, he observed that they had long moustaches and were beardless and said: “Woe to you! Who ordered you to do this?” So how would you feel, oh shaver, if the Messenger of Allaah  were to turn away from you in disgust and say: “Woe to you! Who ordered you to do this?”

Allaah also forbids us from wilfully changing His creation; He says:  So set you [oh, Muhammad,] your face towards the pure Religion, with the fitrah [natural state] in which He has created mankind. No change let there be in the creation of Allaah  (Soorah 30:30)

Shaving the beard is an imitation of women; Allaah’s Messenger  said: “Women who imitate men and men who imitate women are not from us.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

The renowned Muslim scholar, Ibn ‘Abdil Barr said: “It is forbidden to shave the beard, only the efffeminate do so.” So, oh, shaver - according to the scholars, you are effeminate! In addition to this, ‘Umar Ibn Al-Khattaab , amongst others, would not accept the testimony of a person who shaved his beard. So, oh, shaver - your word is not acceptable in Islaam, you are untrustworthy!

“How would you feel if the Messenger of Allaah  were to turn away from you in disgust and say: “Woe to you! Who ordered you to do this?”

So, after this, oh, shaver, do you still cling to your belief that growing the beard is “only a sunnah” ? May Allaah guide us all to the Straight Path.

Shaving the Beard is an Act of Mutilation!

Imaams Ahmad, Ath-Thawri and Abu Haneefah agreed that if the beard is removed, it is an act of mutilation and that the one who removed it must pay the full diyah or blood money as if he had removed an eye or a limb of the victim. Imaam Al-Bukhaari narrates that the Prophet  forbade robbing and taking property by force and he forbade mutilation.”

The great Muslim scholar, Ibn Hazm said: “They (the Muslim scholars) agreed that shaving of the beard is a form of mutilation, which is forbidden.”

“Shaving the beard is an innovation introduced to the Muslim countries by the Christians, who formerly invaded and conquered the Muslim lands.”

Moreover, shaving is disobedience to Allaah’s Messenger  and disobedience to the Messenger  is disobedience to Allaah, for he  said: “Whoever obeys me, has obeyed Allaah, and whoever disobeys me, has disobeyed Allaah.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari)

Ibn Taimiyah, the great Muslim Mujaddid (Revivalist), scholar and Mujaahid said: “Shaving the beard is haraam (forbidden) - no scholar has ever permitted it.”

Taken from the Pamphlet By Sameh Strauch
Zayed Centre for New Muslims
P.O. Box 16090,
Al-Ain, U.A.E.,
Phone (9713) 829191
Fax (9713) 810633