Ruling on shaving the beard for political reasons
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Q: A man shaved his beard due to political circumstances, and when asked about it, he said: I am unable to go out as a caller to Allah in this place and time unless I shave my beard. Is he excused for that?
A: It is not permissible for a Muslim to shave his beard for political reasons, or to enable him to call people to the religion. Rather, it is obligatory for him to let it grow and maintain it, in compliance with the command of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in the authentic hadiths reported from him. Among these is his saying (peace and blessings be upon him): It is agreed upon that it is authentic.
If he is unable to call people to the religion unless he shaves it, he should move to another country where he can call people to the religion without shaving, if he has knowledge and insight. This is in accordance with the evidence from the Shari'ah in this matter, such as the saying of the Exalted:[An-Nahl 16:125] The verse [al-Nahl: 125], and His saying: [Yusuf 12:108] The verse [Yusuf: 108].
And the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):Sahih Muslim 1893a Reported by Muslim in his Sahih. And his saying (peace and blessings be upon him) to 'Ali ibn Abi Talib (may Allah be pleased with him) when he sent him to Khaybar to call the Jews to Islam and fight them: Sahih Muslim 2406 It is agreed upon that it is authentic.
The verses and hadiths regarding the obligation of calling people to Allah and explaining its virtue are numerous, and the need of Muslims and others for it is great. This is because it is the means to make people aware of their religion and guide them to the causes of salvation. It is also the duty of the Messengers (peace and blessings be upon them) and their followers with excellence. And success is from Allah.
A: It is not permissible for a Muslim to shave his beard for political reasons, or to enable him to call people to the religion. Rather, it is obligatory for him to let it grow and maintain it, in compliance with the command of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in the authentic hadiths reported from him. Among these is his saying (peace and blessings be upon him):
Cut the beards short, and let the beards grow; be unlike the polytheists.
قصوا الشوارب، وأعفوا اللحى؛ خالفوا المشركينIf he is unable to call people to the religion unless he shaves it, he should move to another country where he can call people to the religion without shaving, if he has knowledge and insight. This is in accordance with the evidence from the Shari'ah in this matter, such as the saying of the Exalted:
Invite to the way of your Lord with wisdom and good instruction, and argue with them in a way that is best
ادْعُ إِلَى سَبِيلِ رَبِّكَ بِالْحِكْمَةِ وَالْمَوْعِظَةِ الْحَسَنَةِ وَجَادِلْهُمْ بِالَّتِي هِيَ أَحْسَنُThis is my way; I invite to Allah with insight, I and those who follow me
قُلْ هَذِهِ سَبِيلِي أَدْعُو إِلَى اللَّهِ عَلَى بَصِيرَةٍ أَنَا وَمَنِ اتَّبَعَنِيAnd the saying of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him):
One who guides to something good has a reward similar to that of its doer.
من دل على خير فله مثل أجر فاعلهthereafter invite them to Islam and inform them what is obligatory for them from the rights of Allah, for, by Allah, if Allah guides aright even one person through you that is better for you than to possess the most valuable of the camels.
ادعهم إلى الإسلام وأخبرهم بما يجب عليهم من حق الله تعالى، فوالله لأن يهدي الله بك رجلا واحدا خير لك من حمر النعمThe verses and hadiths regarding the obligation of calling people to Allah and explaining its virtue are numerous, and the need of Muslims and others for it is great. This is because it is the means to make people aware of their religion and guide them to the causes of salvation. It is also the duty of the Messengers (peace and blessings be upon them) and their followers with excellence. And success is from Allah.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.