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By  Imaam Badee’ud-Deen Shaah as-Sindee
Establishing the obligation of letting the beard grow and refuting the various
linguistic and religious arguments used by the opponents of the hadeeth to
oppose this Sunnah.
So long as the mentality of the Muslims was secure from the hue of the
polytheists, and the Jews and the Christians and their like, both, whether man
or woman, considered the beard to be an adornment and beauty for the man.
All praise is for Allah, Lord of the Worlds; and prayers and peace be upon the
Master of the Prophets and Messengers, and his household, family and companions;
whomsoever follows them with goodness until the Day of Recompense. To Proceed:
Allah the Mighty and Majestic has made the figure of the human being very well
and pleasing. As He said,
“We have certainly created the human being in the best of moulds.” [Sooratut-Teen
95:4] [1]
It is proven that man’s figure is very well and pleasing. And
Allah the Mighty
and Majestic has created humans in pairs, for external distinction in both (i.e.
male and female). He made the man having a beard, with which beauty and dignity
augments. Such that, it is a crown of a man’s face. Hence, it is generally
observed that for each and every madhhab (mode of life, religion, ideology,
etc.), be it Muslim or non-Muslim, the chieftain is bearded. Such that, man
naturally considers the beard to be a source of honor. [That is so] because this
is a divide hue (frame: religion), in comparison to which, there is no other
hue,
“Our religion is the religion of Allah. And who can give a better religion than
Allah? And we are His worshippers.” [Sooratul-Baqarah 2:138]
So long as the mentality of the Muslims was secure from the hue of the
polytheists, and the Jews and the Christians and their like, both, whether man
or woman, considered the beard to be an adornment and beauty for the man.
Accordingly, Ibn Batootah in his travelogue entitled, Tuhfatun-Nazaar fee
’Ajaa‘ibil-Asfaar (1/17) records an occurrence which goes as follows: Shaykh
Jamaalud-Deen Saawee was a very handsome person. Hence, one woman was infatuated
with him, and through some type of pretense, called in to her house. After
entering she had the doors closed. Then she called the Shaykh towards her for
evil (fornication). The Shaykh tried his best to escape. However, when he did
not find any means of escape, he first decided to go to the toilet and after
entering, he took a blade and shaved his beard with it. When he came out, the
woman found his face to be so hideous that she was disgusted with him. Thus he
came out safe and secure, escaping evil.
Dear readers, consider this: When the mind was pure, the divine shape was liked
by everyone. When the mind became impure, the good appearance appeared bad and
the bad appearance appeared good. In fact, this is a mischief of Shaytaan who
dared to speak before Allah the Mighty and Majestic and said,
“I will surely take from among Your servants a specific portion. And I will
mislead them, and I will arouse in them [sinful] desires, and I will command
them so they will slit the ears of cattle, and I will command them so they will
change the creation of Allah.” [Sooratun-Nisaa‘ 4:118-119]
Meaning, the ways and means of leading astray that he directed
Allah’s servants
to. Among them was that he would instruct them that they should change Allah’s
form of creation. And the Divine Commandment goes as follows,
“So direct your face towards the religion, haneef (upright on the truth). Adhere
to the Fitrah [2] of Allah, upon which He has created the people. No change
should there be in the creation of Allah. That is the straight religion, but
most of the people do not know.” [Sooratur-Room 30:30]
Imaam of Hind, Shaah Waliyyullaah ad-Dihlawee says in Hujjatullaahil-Baalighah
(1/152), “Its cutting, meaning the beard, is the way of the Magians [3], and it
is the altering of Allah’s creation.” And likewise shaving of the beard
resembles oneself to the woman, about which there is a severe threat. It is
narrated from Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyAllahu ’anhu) that the Prophet (Sallallaahu `alayhi
wa sallam) has cursed the men who imitate women and the women who
imitate men. [4] And similarly, Ibn ’Abbaas’ narration is also related in Musnad
Ahmad, Aboo Daawood, Tirmidhee and Ibn Maajah. It is narrated that the Prophet (Sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) said, “Allah has cursed the women who imitate men and the
men who imitate women.” [5]
Dear onlookers, that deed on which is the curse of Allah and His Messenger (Sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) is considered a very major and perilous sin. Al-’Allaamah Ibn
Hajr al-Haythamee has included it among the major sins in az-Zawaajir ’an
Iqtiraafil-Kabaa‘ir. And externally, the beard is man’s specific distinction,
and the absence of the beard is the woman’s specific distinction. So whoever
shaves the beard certainly resembles the woman. Imaam al-Ghazzaalee says in
Ihyaa’ ’Uloomud-Deen (2/257), “And with it, meaning the beard, men are
distinguished from women.” So he (the man) is included in this severe threat.
And the beard is the Sunnah (exemplary way) of all the Prophets. Accordingly,
there is a mention of Haroon’s (’alayhis-salaatu was-Salaam) beard in the Noble
Qur‘aan,
“O son of my mother, do not seize me by the beard or by my head.” [Soorah Ta-Ha
20:94]
Also, there is a mention of both Moosaa (’alayhis-salaatu was-salaam) and
Aadam’s (’alayhis-salaatu was-salaam) beard in ad-Durrul-Manthoor (1/62). And
there is also an ordered in the Qur‘aan,
“Those (Prophets) are the ones to whom Allah has guided, so take their guidance
as an example.” [Sooratul-An’aam 6:90]
That is, take as an example only those deeds other than which the Sharee’ah
(Divine Law) of Muhammad (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) has abrogated. However,
this Sharee’ah did not abrogate the ruling on the beard. Rather, it has affirmed
and emphasized it. Therefore, our Supreme Guide, Master of the Prophets and
Messengers, Muhammad’s (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) blessed beard filled his
chest. As is related by Yazeed al-Farsee in Shamaa‘ilut-Tirmidhee, “Chapter of
Seeing the Prophet (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) in a Dream,’ who said,
‘Indeed, I saw the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) in a
dream.’ So he said, ‘Verily, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa
sallam) used to say, “Indeed, the Shaytaan cannot imitate me, so whoever has
seen me in a dream has indeed seen me.” Can you describe the person you have
seen in the dream?’ I said. ‘Yes. I will describe him between the spectrum of
two men. His body and flesh were moderate, complexion was brown-skinned,
inclining towards whiteness, eyes were kohl-smeared, smile was pleasant, figure
was beautiful and round-like, his beard reaching here to here and it filled his
chest.’ So Ibn ’Abbaas said, ‘If you had seen him while awake, you could not
have described him beyond that.’”
Similarly, the four well-known Caliphs, Aboo Bakr, ’Umar, ’Uthmaan and ’Alee,
all had large beards. As mentioned in Tabaqaat Ibn Sa’d (3/114),
Taareekhul-Khulafaa‘lis-Suyootee (p. 102, 116, 129). Also, the shaving and
cutting of the beard resembles the polytheists and Magians. That is why avoiding
it is definitely obligatory upon Muslims. This is so because whoever imitates a
people, is included among them. As is the saying of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam), “Whoever imitates a folk is but among them.” [6]
Dear readers, shaving the beard is [indeed] distinguished of oneself, meaning,
making oneself defective. As Imaam Fakhrul-Andalus Ibn Hazm says in
Maraatibul-Ijmaa’ (p.157), “They (the scholars of the Ummah) are in agreement
that shaving the whole beard is disfiguring – not permissible. So, al-Haakim has
brought in Mustadrak a narration by ’Imraan and at-Tabraanee from the hadeeth of
Ibn ’Umar and Mugheerah (radiyAllahu ’anhumaa), “The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu
`alayhi wa sallam) has prohibited disfigurement.” [7]
The meaning of disfigurement is “making defective.” The disfigurement of the
body is to amputate the nose and lips. And the disfigurement of the hair is to
shave and depilate the hair of the cheek or to dye the hair black. As mentioned
in the famous book of language and hadeeth, an-Nihaayah fee Ghareebil-Hadeeth
wal-Hadeeth wal-Aathaar authored by Imaam Ibn Atheer al-Jazaree (2/294) and
Majma’ Bihaaril-Anwaar authored by al-’Allaamah Muhammad Taahir Patnee, (3/289).
Therefore, this is also the reason why the shaving of the beard is prohibited.
Rather, there is severe warning against the disfigurement of the cheek.
In Mu’jamul-Kabeer (11/41), there is a narration by Ibn ’Abbaas (radiyAllahu ’anhu),
“Indeed, the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) said, “Whoever
disfigures his hair, there is no share for him with Allah.” Although there is a
kalaam (discussion, debate) about this narration, since the real issue is proven
through several evidences, quoting such narrations are useful for the purpose of
targheeb wat-Tarheeb.(incitement and intimidation). And in the books, an-Nihaayah
and Majma’ul-Bihaar the wording of this narration is, “The disfigurement of the
cheeks is shaving the hair of the cheeks.” Rather, all four madhaahib (schools
of jurisprudence) which are attributed to the imams: Imaam Aboo Haneefah, Imaam
Maalik, Imaam ash-Shaafi’ee and many other imaams have declared the shaving of
the beard unlawful. [7]
Dear onlookers, in the previous subject matter few ahaadeeth were mentioned,
from which the virtue and emphasis of the beard is made evident. And its shaving
and cutting is proven to be a loathsome act. These are great facts for a
sensible Muslim and his admonition. After this, specifically those ahaadeeth
will be mentioned by which the virtue of leaving the beard and its emphasis, and
besides that the evil and harm of shaving and cutting, is known. May Allah
grant us the tawfeeq (Divine-help) to receive this admonition – Aameen.
THE FIRST AND SECOND HADEETH:
From Ibn ’Umar, who said, ‘The Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa
sallam) said, “Differ from the mushrikeen (polytheists), save the beards and
trim the moustaches.” And in another narration, “Sharply trim the moustaches and
leave the beards.” [7]
EXPLANATION:
In this hadeeth, there is an order to grow and leave the beard, and the command
of the Messenger of Allah (Sallallaahu `alayhi wa sallam) is for the purpose of
obligation and mandate. As described the scholars of principles (Usool) of
jurisprudence. As mentioned in al-Manaar ma’a Sharhin-Noorul-Anwaar, (p. 230),
at-Tawdeeh ma’a Sharhit-Talweeh, (1/132) Usoolus-Sarkhasee (p. 185),
Usoolul-Bazdawee (p. 21), Sharhul-Manaar li Ibni Maalik ma’a Hawaash
lir-Rahaawee wa Azmee Zaadah wabnul-Hatbee (p. 120), al-Husaamee (p. 40). And
al-’Allaamah Ibn Haajim Jamaalud-Deen says in Mukhtasar Usool, “The masses of
scholars said that the order in fact amounts to obligation with the masses of
scholars.” And in its explanation (Tahreer’s) authored by Ameer Badshah, it
says, “Al-’Allaamah Ibn Haajib Baydaawee says it is correct. Imaam Raazee says
it is the truth and Aamadee and Imaamul-Haramayn of Shaafi’ee madhhab say, ‘And
it is said that this was dictated by Ash’aree to his companions.’” So leaving
the beard is obligatory. And its shaver and cutter is a renouncer of an
obligation. And renouncer of an obligation is considered a faasiq (open-sinner).
And as for he who opposes the order of the Messenger of Allah is a very great
admonishment,
“So let those beware who oppose from his (the Prophet’s) order, lest fitnah
(trial, tribulation) strike them or a painful punishment.” [Sooratun-Noor 24:63]
Also, it is proven by this hadeeth that cutting of the beards is the action of
the mushrikeen, not the Muslims. And whoever imitates them is considered among
them, as [mentioned] in the previous hadeeth. So the person who shaves the beard
is a Mushrik by his appearance and image.
BENEFIT:
The word “awfiru” is from “awfara” which means “plenty.” So the meaning of
awfiru will be grow the beard and leave it. So that the hair will become dense.
As “waffaraahu tawfeeran: katharahu” (in-creased it and grew it).” [8] And in
another narration is the “aafoo”which is from “a’faa.” As in the famous book of
Language of Hadeeth, an-Nihaayah fee Ghareebil-Hadeeth li Ibnil-Atheer (3/366),
“Chapter of ’ayn with faa,” “And that is he leaves its hair and does not cut
like the moustaches from explanation of “He left the beard” when it is said “It
multiplies and increases.” The meaning, “I’faa ul-lihah” is that the hair of the
beard should be grown and should not be cut like the moustaches. The origin of
this is from “I’faa‘ush-shay,’” meaning that thing which increased and
multiplied.
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