What are the limits of the beard in the Shari'ah, and is the hair that begins from the vicinity of the ears to the chin part of the beard or not?
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The questioner : We conclude this session, O honorable Shaykh, with a question from the listener Abdullah Sudani. He says in this question: What are the limits of the beard in the Shari'ah? Is the hair that begins from the vicinity of the ears to the chin part of the beard or not? And what is the ruling on one who confines the beard to the chin, meaning he shaves the hair on the cheeks? Please benefit me with my question. May Allah reward you with good.
The Shaykh : The beard is the hair of the cheeks and the face, but each part of it has a name. That which is on the right and left is called the *a'rad* (cheeks), and that which is at their meeting point at the bottom is called the chin. All of this falls under the term "beard." Thus, the beard includes all the hair on the face, and it is not permissible for anyone to shave any of it, because that is contrary to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded in his sayingSahih al-Bukhari 5892 and his saying , and in a narration .
It should be known that the matter became confused for some people due to the action of Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), who, when he performed Hajj, would grasp his beard and cut off what exceeded a handful. Some people thought that this was a legislative ruling from Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), and that it is recommended to cut what exceeds a handful. Some even went so far as to say that what exceeds a handful is the forbidden *isbal* (letting the garment hang below the ankles). There is no doubt that this is a great error in understanding, and the lesson is to follow the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge.
The Shaykh : The beard is the hair of the cheeks and the face, but each part of it has a name. That which is on the right and left is called the *a'rad* (cheeks), and that which is at their meeting point at the bottom is called the chin. All of this falls under the term "beard." Thus, the beard includes all the hair on the face, and it is not permissible for anyone to shave any of it, because that is contrary to what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded in his saying
Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short.
خالفوا المشركين وفّروا اللحى وحفوا الشواربDiffer from the Magians, let the beards grow, and trim the mustaches.
خالفوا المجوس وفّروا اللحى وحفّوا الشواربLet the beards grow full.
أوفوا اللحىIt should be known that the matter became confused for some people due to the action of Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), who, when he performed Hajj, would grasp his beard and cut off what exceeded a handful. Some people thought that this was a legislative ruling from Abdullah ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father), and that it is recommended to cut what exceeds a handful. Some even went so far as to say that what exceeds a handful is the forbidden *isbal* (letting the garment hang below the ankles). There is no doubt that this is a great error in understanding, and the lesson is to follow the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family).
The questioner : May Allah reward you, O honorable Shaykh, and may Allah bless you and your knowledge.