ANSWERED: Trimmed Beard !! Ya ALLAH!!!

Assalam o alaikum WarahmatAllah

I found this view of Sidi Faraz Rabbani, now I am affraid when I see Faraz Bhai I will see someone with trimmed beard! :(

I have researched where ever I can.. and have everywhere found that keeping a full beard is not even recomended rather Wajib. Nonethless, in any case the Afdhal position is keeping a full beard. If that is so, then how is it that some Ulema are adamant to follow a less virtuous position? Wallah I do not wish to criticize an Alim, but a beard less then a fist at the least, while one knows that its not as virtuous then the full one.

1) I wish someone would kindly explain to me, why would I settle for 50% and be a mere pass in test when getting 80%+ is not hard...

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1. Reality indicates that 3 of the 4 madhhabs of Sunni fiqh consider a full beard recommended, not wajib. And the other madhhabs do not have something called makruh tahriman in the sense of being sinful.

however,

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Shafi'i

Imam Shafi (R.A.) in his Kitabul Umm states, "To shave the beard is HARAAM." (Shari Minhaj dar Shara Fasl Aqueeqa).

Maaliki

Shekh Ahmad Nafarawi Maliki in the commentary of Imam Abu Zayed's booklet states, "to shave the beard is without doubt haraam according to all Imams." It is also mention in "Tamheed" which is a commentary of "Muatta" (Sunnan Imam Malik (R.A.)) that to shave the beard is HARAAM and among males the only ones to resort to this practice (of shaving) are the HERMAPHRODITES (persons who possess both male and female features and characteristics).

Hanbali

The Hanbalies in the famous Al-Khanie'a Hanbali Fatawa Kitab state that "to grow the beard is essential and to shave it is HARAAM." Also in the Hanbali Mathab books "Sharahul Muntahaa" and "Sharr Manzoomatul Aadaab", it is stated "The most accepted view is that it is HARAAM (prohibited to shave the beard)."

Also note, according to scholars of Islam: "To shave off the beard is unlawful (haraam) and one who shaves his beard is legally speaking an unrighteous fellow (FASIQ); hence, it is NOT PERMISSIBLE to appoint such a man as an Imam. To say Taraweeh behind such an Imam is MAKRUH-E-TAHRIMI (near prohibition)" (Shami Vol.1, p.523)

The Durre-Mukhtar states: "No one has called it permissible to trim it (the beard) less than FIST-LENGTH as is being done by some westernized Muslims and hermaphrodites." (Vol. 2, p. 155). Also, "It is forbidden (haraam) for a man to cut off another's beard." (Vol. 5, p. 359).

Someone please explain.....

2)Br Faraz has also explained that lowering garment below ankle is

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Beard and trouser length are each given only a couple of lines in even the most comprehensive of fiqh texts, yet are made to sound as if they are the pillars of our deen, so much so that people on the fringe are often turned away for such matters…

Now please someone explain to me.. why I should not be worried about my pants below my ankle.. I started wearing lungi to be sure I never do such an act.. who knows the hidden pride in my heart, but Allah knows.. not even me!

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It is narrated from Hadhrat Abu Zarr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Three groups of people Allah will not talk to on the day of Qiyaamat nor will he look to them nor will he purify them and for them is severe punishment'. Hadhrat Abu Dharr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) says, 'Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said this three times.

Hadhrat Abu Dharr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) said, 'May they be losers. Who are they O Prophet (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).'

Nabi (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'He who wears his pants below his ankles. The one who talks of that good which he did for a person and that person who sells his goods with false oaths.' (Muslim)

Sayyiduna Jaabir ibn Saleem (Radhiallaahu Anhu) reports that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said, 'Be careful with regards to dragging your clothes (below the ankles), for verily it is from the acts of pride.' (Sunan Abu Dawud)

Here, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) explains to us that the act of letting the pants go below the ankles is in itself an act of pride. (See Fathul Baari vol.10 pg.210)

Could someone please explain these points, and also why our traditional Ulema in the past have kept adopting a weaker view rather than a more virtuous one. In any case, when is it so that these Ulema, as Sidi Faraz says, do not think that these two matters are "matters of merrits". Yes someone with a beard may not be righteous, but between the two who are righteous, one with full beard and one with bare minimum.. who is gaining more rewards and who is missing out on some?

Wassalam o Alaikum WarahmatAllah

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Criticizing major scholars for having trim beards

Answered by Sidi Faraz Rabbani

Some people have been criticizing major scholars for having trim beards, almost implying that it is a sign of weak religious commitment.

Walaikum assalam,

There is a need to wake up and smell the coffee, Sidi:

1. Reality indicates that 3 of the 4 madhhabs of Sunni fiqh consider a full beard recommended, not wajib. And the other madhhabs do not have something called makruh tahriman in the sense of being sinful.

2. There is scholarly consensus that all four madhhabs are, in principle, permissible to follow.

3. The sounder opinion according to the scholars of usul and fiqh is that one does not have to stick to one madhhab in everything.

4. There is a general principle that when matters become difficult with regards to an issue, its rulings are made more easy. (Qa`ida: idha daqa al-amru, ittasa`a al-hukmu -- Majalla, Ashbah)

5. There is a widespread problem in terms of people's application of the Hanafi position on the beard. Its application in the West, especially, and many Muslim countries is difficult. So...

Given this, what is the fuss?

It must also be remembered that the scholars concur that there is no condemnation regarding issues that are differed upon within the bounds of the Sunni schools of law. Commanding the good and forbidding the wrong relate only to those issues that are agreed upon to be obligatory or impermissible. As for issues differed upon, the most one may do is offer sincere advice (nasiha) while respecting others’ right not to follow the opinion one believes to be correct.

This is the path of tolerance, and mercy.

Beard and trouser length are each given only a couple of lines in even the most comprehensive of fiqh texts, yet are made to sound as if they are the pillars of our deen, so much so that people on the fringe are often turned away for such matters…

The Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) said, “Make things easy; do not make them hard. Give glad tidings, and do not turn people away.” [Bukhari & Muslim]

Walaikum assalam,
Faraz Rabbani.

I agree with Sidi Rabbani. I don't see the problem.

It seems that sidi Faraz has already answered your question in the passage you quoted, specifically points 4, 5 and the hadith from the Prophet (upon him be blessings and peace). There's no need for further elaboration, is there?

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There is a need to wake up and smell the coffee, Sidi:

I love that phrase..

Some clarification insh'Allah..

1) Shave means to remove, not trim. The exact definition of what constitutes the beard is open to debate - the texts essentially say "that which grows from the chin" - hence the schols differ on what this means exactly - hence it is not considered to be more virtuous by some to have a longer beard.

Example: the hanafi position on it being fist-length comes from the narration that Umar used to do this. However, there is no indication the Prophet (pbuh) did this, but simply said to grow it - surely the Prophet (pbuh) and his commandment take precedence? Hmm.. But the Hanafi ulema are clever people.. Uhh..

Each of the schools also has differing classifications of obligation and prohibition as Sidi Rabbani indicated. Hence the import of things such as isbaal (trousering) and having a fist-length beard are not as "important" as some people may indicate - this reply was in response to those who judged a person solely by their appearance with regards to this (ie those with a trim beard cannot be reliable scholars).

The fact of the matter is that under the other madhabs, a trim beard is often extrapolated as exactly what is required, anything more is not necessarily a sunnah, but rather mubah (eh, the word kinda fits here).

There is no inference that doing these actions is not beneficial, please see this paragraph:

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It must also be remembered that the scholars concur that there is no condemnation regarding issues that are differed upon within the bounds of the Sunni schools of law. Commanding the good and forbidding the wrong relate only to those issues that are agreed upon to be obligatory or impermissible. As for issues differed upon, the most one may do is offer sincere advice (nasiha) while respecting others’ right not to follow the opinion one believes to be correct.

Hence this comes down to the issue of the adab of ikhtilaf (etiquette of disagreement). There are certain issues on which no ikhtilaf is permitted - the base fundamentals of faith.. These two are not contained within the scope of these issues.

Each of the madhabs again has it's own juristic method and emphasis placed on what defines a "proof" on a given issue - for example if you are shafi, you will place lelsss emphasis on qiyas (analogy) as a juristic tool than, for examplea hanafi.

Each of the madhabs consider the juristic technique of the others as valid methodologies - they choose their own path however and simply agree to disagree.

Hence there is to be no condemnation if a person follows a relied upon position from another school - under their classification, that which is wajib in the hanafi school may be sunnah, or even mubah. You may detail why you believe that your stance is correct with respect to the rulings from your madhab, but shouldn't beat the issue into the ground - the view of the other madhab is based on their scholars, who are as highly educated as your own, and likely a disparate legal methodology, which can easily lead to you not understanding how a particular ruling could have been derived.

Hence your position should be: I am right, but I accept the possibility that you are right. Fiqh isn't the most clear cut of things at times, but we should concentrate on our commonalities rather than lamabasting others for following different (but legally acceptable) views. That's what I got from this piece.

Assalam o Alaikum WarahmatAllah

Probably my question got burried in all the formatting and information...

If you know that one thing will neither give you Hasana nor any sin, (providing that has been deduced already under fiqh of that school) and that another will give you extra hasana, then why would a person who knows about it(in an Alim of it), and even then leavs it.

Now, please do not get me wrong, I respect these Ulema for their Ilm and Love them for sake of Allah. Even the imam at my masjid is of the same opinion, however he has not given me satisfactory reasoning for it.

I do not say that if someone has a beard, he is more of an Alim, and if someone doesnt then he is any less...and I dont say its the point of fundamentals and all...(which means I do smell the cofee) but who would be more closer to resemble Rasul Allah sm. SubhanAllah I think if they are doing, they must have found some resoning for it. I am just looking for their reasoning for following something that is less rewardfull.. (or is it that Shafaii school of thought thinks that having a full bear Vs trimmed beard is same?)

from "Dari Ka Wujoob" by Maulana Zakariya r.h, It is said

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The decision of the four Imaams and those of some other Ulama have been given in detail and substantiated in 'Awjazul Masaalik'. A reference in this book is made to the strongly substantiated and most acceptable decision of the Shafi'ees to leave the beard as it is when it exceeds the one palm length.

In the Sunnipath, under the shafii Fiqh you may find...

Q. Would any one please advise the opinion on Beard length. I would be very grateful if full evidences could be provided.
A.
(This is a rough translation from Ibn Hajr Al-Haytami. Tahfatu L-Muhtaj)

1. The Hadith in Ibn Hibban relates that the Prophet used to trim the length as well as the width of his beard.

2. It is related that 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to hold his beard with his fist and trim the excess.

3. Bukhari and Muslim relate that the Prophet ordered the beard should be left to grow. (i.e. That it should not be trimmed)

He explains these hadith as follows:

The last hadith is taken into consideration first as it is the most authentic. We can understand the second hadith as a recommendation mandoob) to leave the beard (i.e. not compulsory) (.)

(.) The position of the Madhab is that it is disliked (makrooh) to trim the beard. However, saying that leaving the beard to grow will result in it becoming ugly is not correct. The beard becomes ugly by not being maintained. (E.g. Washing, Oiling, etc)

May Allah Forgive us.

Sidi Sulaiman Hart

AND

The optimal length of the beard is to leave it uncut and not touch it at all, as mentioned by Ibn Hajar above. Anything less than this optimal length is disliked. Ibn Hajar foresees the objection that this would result in making one’s appearance ugly by saying that this would only occur if one neglected caring for one’s beard by not washing or oiling it. (Tuhfat al-Muhtaj, 9.376).

This is why I am looking for a clarification, as to why would an Alim, any Alim (even shafii) wish to follow a makrooh. My intent is not criticising rather inquisitive.

Wassalam o alaikum WarahmatAllah

assalamu alaikum wr wb

I think you might need to change the yellow font as its very bright but you can barely see it and its hurting my eyes as im squinting to see what it is and highlighting it. Might be better to use a darker color insha'Allah.

Sallamu Alaikum

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Example: the hanafi position on it being fist-length comes from the narration that Umar used to do this. However, there is no indication the Prophet (pbuh) did this, but simply said to grow it - surely the Prophet (pbuh) and his commandment take precedence? Hmm.. But the Hanafi ulema are clever people.. Uhh..

Ibn Umar.

Ibn Umar narrated the hadith where the Prophet stated: "Trim the Moustaches and leave the beards be." (Bukhari and Muslim)

However, at the same time it states: " And ibn Umar, when he went on hajj or umra, grasped his beard with his hand, and removed what was in excess of it." (Ibid)

The handful is sunna, for when Ibn Umar has done something in ostensive contravention to what he has narrated (the words "leave beards be"), Hanafi bases of jurisprudence say this shows that the narrator knows that the Prophet has indicated that the original ruling has been superseded (mansukh) by a subsequent one - permitting the beard to be trimmed, in this case. But trimming it when it is already less than a handful is not permissible in the Hanafi school.

(Ibn 'Abidin: Rad Al Muhtar)

The definition of "Leaving the beards be" is usually meant "To make Ample". This was stated by Imam Baghawi and Imam NAwawi in his Sharh of Muslim.

As for the Shafi scholars, then know, from what i have been told by the Murids of the Shaikh Nuh, is that there is a difference of opinion from where the beard is measured, from the chin down or from the area below the lip down.

Wallahu A'lam

Oops. Forgot the Ibn, my bad. However, the point stands - it's not that using this as a source of evidence is invalid, but that different schools use evidence in different ways - so, for example, the malikis would not view this as sufficient evidence to establish a sunnah.

br talib-ilm - it comes down to the fact that there are slightly different readings both across the madhabs and indeed inside them on the details of this..

If one is a scholar than one is in a position to understand the hukm of each rule. Thus one is in a position to judge for oneself which position is stronger and which is weaker - indeed, one does not even have to stick within one's own madhab.

We have the following:

1) It is agreed upon by just about everyone that it is impermissable to shave (ie remove completely) the beard
2) The exact definition of the beard varies quite a bit have a read of this if you haven't already..
3) Scholars humans too, but they're generally more cautious about matters of religion than non-scholars..

Each person has their own reasons for doing what they do - just give the ulema the benefit of the doubt and simply ask them if you see them doing something that puzzles you.

Assalm alykum,

At the end of the day growing a beard atleast fist lenght is SUNNAH, that should be MORE than enough reason to grow it atleast fist length. At the end of the day how hard is it to grow a beard, even in the west? Ok some sunnahs may be diffcult these days and cause hardship, i'm not saying i do every sunnah action, far from it, but something as easy as this? (its so easy its natural, you don't even have to move a muscle)

As for the issue of being hard, this is complete nonsense. Even in the west 1000's of people have fist lenght beards, so what makes it so "hard" for those that do not? emabarrasement of being muslim and copying the sunnah of the prophet (SAW)? scared of being labelled an "extremist"? worried about not getting that "proffessional" job?

Should your love for the prophet (SAW) not be enough reason to copy him? Did not the sahaba try to emulate him even in sleeping manners? And yet today we are arguing whether we should grow beard atleast fist length or not when the sunnah was to let it flow (as far as i'm aware)?!

And Allah knows best
May he forgive us all and guide us all.

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Originally Posted by UmmIbrahimIsa

assalamu alaikum wr wb

I think you might need to change the yellow font as its very bright but you can barely see it and its hurting my eyes as im squinting to see what it is and highlighting it. Might be better to use a darker color insha'Allah.

yeah the green aint no better but i just highlighted it and read it.