What is the ruling on grasping the beard and the action of Ibn 'Umar, given the prohibitions that have been reported?
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The Shaykh : Perhaps there is something in your heart regarding what you wish to represent.
The questioner : No, just that.
The Shaykh : Generally, is there a dispute between you and someone regarding a specific issue?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : The beard...
The Shaykh : It is possible that what is reported about 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) is that when he was in Hajj or 'Umrah, he would grasp his beard and cut what exceeded the handful. This appears to contradict the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him): or or or or . The important point is that the action of Ibn 'Umar here cannot be used as evidence against the generality of the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), because the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) takes precedence over the action of Ibn 'Umar. Furthermore, Ibn 'Umar used to do this only when he performed Hajj or 'Umrah, not absolutely. Some people say: when a general text from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is accompanied by the action of a Companion, this general text is restricted by the action of the Companion. However, this is not correct. In fact, some scholars have said that the action of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) himself does not restrict the generality of his saying. Among those who held this latter view is al-Shawkani (may Allah have mercy on him). For example, the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him): Jami` at-Tirmidhi 8Sahih (Darussalam). This hadith is general regarding the desert and buildings. The hadith of Ibn 'Umar: implies that there is no harm in turning one's back to the Ka'bah if a person is in a building. Some scholars have said: the consideration is the generality of the wording: Sunan an-Nasa'i 21Sahih (Darussalam). And this action of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) does not restrict the general ruling, due to the possibility that it was specific to him, or that he had an excuse, or that he forgot, or something similar.
The important point is that some scholars have also noted this rule: the action of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) does not restrict his saying. We prioritize the generality of his saying over the specificity of his action due to the possibilities I mentioned. However, the correct view is that his action does restrict his saying, because all of it is Sunnah. The Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is his saying, his action, and his approval. As for the action of others, it does not restrict his saying. Yes.
The questioner : No, just that.
The Shaykh : Generally, is there a dispute between you and someone regarding a specific issue?
The questioner : Yes.
The Shaykh : Yes.
The questioner : The beard...
The Shaykh : It is possible that what is reported about 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) is that when he was in Hajj or 'Umrah, he would grasp his beard and cut what exceeded the handful. This appears to contradict the saying of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him):
Let the beards grow and trim the mustaches.
وفروا اللحى وحفوا الشواربLet the beards grow long and trim the moustaches
أعفوا اللحى وحفوا الشواربLet the beards grow
أوفو اللحىLet the beards grow.
وفروا اللحىLet the beards hang down.
أرخوا اللحىWhen one of you arrives to defecate, then let none of you face the Qiblah while defecating, nor while urinating. And do not have your back towards it, but have it east of you or west of you.
إذا أتيتم الغائط فلا تستقبلوا القبلة بغائط ولا بول ولا تستدبروها، ولكن شرقوا أو غربواI climbed up to the roof of Hafsa's house one day and saw the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his family) relieving himself facing Syria and turning his back to the Ka'bah
رقيت يوماً على بيت حفصة، فرأيت النبي صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم يقضي حاجته مستقبل الشام مستدبر الكعبةDo not face towards the Qiblah nor turn your backs toward it
لا تستقبلوا القبلة ولا تستدبروهاThe important point is that some scholars have also noted this rule: the action of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) does not restrict his saying. We prioritize the generality of his saying over the specificity of his action due to the possibilities I mentioned. However, the correct view is that his action does restrict his saying, because all of it is Sunnah. The Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) is his saying, his action, and his approval. As for the action of others, it does not restrict his saying. Yes.