| Fatwa no. 18094 Q: In one of his recorded lectures, the knowledgeable Hadith scholar, Shaykh Muhammad Nasir Al-Din Al-Albany (may Allah preserve him) said that whoever lets his beard grow more than a fist length is a Mubtadi` (one who introduces innovations in religion). This tape was copied by a seeker of knowledge named `Ukashah `Abdul-Mannan Al-Taiby. He (may Allah preserve him) stated: Every general text which is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) and contains a case of specification within that general rule that we know, by one way or another, was not done by the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) or our Salaf (righteous predecessors), then acting upon that specification | | (Part No. 4; Page No. 47) | |
despite being within a general rule is introducing a Bid`ah (innovation in Islam).He (may Allah preserve him) said on another occasion: The command "Grow the beard" is a general rule. If one grows his beard to reach his navel acting according to the general rule, but was this the practice of the Salaf? Anyone who has sound knowledge will answer in the negative. Those who do not know would stick to the general rule, whereas those who have knowledge would say that this part of the general text was not practiced by the Salaf. In a nutshell, firstly, we do not know any of the Salaf, not to mention the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) who was their leader and Imam, that he grew his beard without trimming it. Secondly, we know that, on the contrary, many of the Salaf used to trim their beards. It is authentically reported from `Abdullah ibn `Umar ibn Al-Khattab, but there is something vague about this narration regarding Ibn `Umar. There are two narrations in this regard; the first which he mentioned that he used to trim his beard only upon performing Hajj or `Umrah (lesser pilgrimage). According to the second narration, he did this constantly, as some of the Tabi`un (Followers, the generation after the Companions of the Prophet) reported from him, including Salim ibn `Abdullah ibn `Umar. There are also other Hadiths narrated on the authority of Abu Hurayrah, a group of Tabi`un and Ibrahim Al-Nakh`y, who was one of the latter Tabi`un that the Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet) used to trim their beard. Therefore, the presence of texts about trimming the beard in the absence of texts about letting it grow fully makes leaving the beard to grow longer than one's fist an act of Bid`ah. | | (Part No. 4; Page No. 48) | |
On a third occasion, he (may Allah protect him) also said: We must adhere to the act of Ibn `Umar, because Ibn `Umar was one of those who reported Hadiths concerning letting the beard grow. In addition, he lived during the time of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), as he let his beard grow in the manner he understood that the Prophet (peace be upon him) wanted Muslims to do. We all know that Ibn `Umar was the most ardent, if not the strictest, among the Sahabah in imitating the example of the Prophet (peace be upon him) even in things that some of the Sahabah opposed him. We cannot imagine that he heard the Messenger (peace be upon him) commanding Muslims to grow their beards without trimming and then did the contrary. This is impossible.Your Eminence and the rest of the members of the Permanent Secretariat as well as the Council of Senior Scholars hold the opinion that it is impermissible to trim the beard. For this, I ask Your Honor to explain this issue in detail. May Allah reward you. A: Muslim men must grow their beard in compliance with the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is authentically reported in the two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) and others on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:  Cut the mustache very short and let the beard grow. This is the wording of Al-Bukhari, whereas the wording of Muslim is: Closely trim the moustache and let the beard grow.It is also reported in the Two Sahih Books of Hadith on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Clip the moustache and let the beard grow to differ from the Magi. All these words refer to letting the beard grow and not trimming it, even if it becomes long as the linguistic connotation of these words suggest. | | (Part No. 4; Page No. 49) | |
As for the rule mentioned in the question, it is Batil (null and void) and we do not know of any evidence to support it. None of the knowledgeable scholars who establish the legal rules mentioned it. Furthermore, what strengthens its invalidity is that it is not frequently mentioned with its subsidiary inferences, as it implies that the person who pays charity should not exceed the amount spent by anyone of the Salaf, and none of the Muslims would say this. The sound legal rule is that which is applicable in most of its branches and implications.Accordingly, this rule is invalid and a Muslim should not trim his beard even if it is very long in obedience to the command of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and its linguistic connotation.As for what is reported from Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that he used to trim the sides and the length of his beard, this does not support trimming the beard, although it is authentically reported about him. The evidence here is the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him), which indicated the obligation of letting the beard grow and not trimming it whether by cutting it off or shortening it. Muslims have agreed that the statement of the Prophet (peace be upon him) should not be opposed by any person's opinions or acts. This is an important rule that has great benefit to whoever acts according to it. Furthermore, Ibn `Umar did not do such trimming constantly; rather, he used to trim his beard when ending the state of Ihram (ritual state for Hajj and `Umrah).As for the claim that it is not known that any of the Salaf let his beard grow without trimming, this is invalid and contradicts the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him). It is reported in many authentic Hadiths that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) | | (Part No. 4; Page No. 50) | |
was thick-bearded. In another narration: He had a bushy beard. In a third narration: His beard hair covered the upper part of his chest. This is the best refutation to such claim.In addition, by examining the biographies of the righteous Salaf, we find that some of them are described as having had beards that extended to their navel. This would not be necessary, were it not for what the questioner mentioned as evidence in his question. There is sufficient evidence in the words and deeds of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and what is inferred from his statements.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions. Permanent Committee for Scholarly Research and Ifta' |
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