The Ruling on Letting the Beard Grow and the Evidence for It
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Question:
We move on to the second question from our brother in Damascus (A. A.), who asks: Is letting the beard grow and allowing it to hang down obligatory, a fard, or a recommended practice (sunnah) where one is not punished for leaving it off but is rewarded for doing it? And what is the evidence?
May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
Letting the beard grow is among the most important obligations; it is obligatory according to the correct opinion of the scholars. This is because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: It is agreed upon as authentic by al-Bukhari and Muslim (may Allah have mercy on them both). He also said (peace and blessings be upon him): Narrated by al-Bukhari and others. He also said (peace and blessings be upon him): Sahih Muslim 260 Narrated by Muslim in his Sahih. So he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: .
All of this indicates obligation, because the commands of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) must be understood as obligatory, and we must adhere to them, unless there is evidence indicating that they are for recommendation. And we are not aware of anything in the Shari'ah that indicates recommendation. Allah the Exalted says: [Al-Hashr: 7] and He says: [An-Nur: 54]. So it is upon us to obey the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) and to take what he brought to us (peace and blessings be upon him). Whoever says that it is only a recommended practice (sunnah) must provide the evidence. Commands are for obligation; this is the default rule unless there is evidence indicating recommendation.
As for what al-Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) "used to trim his beard from its length and width," it is a hadith that is not authentic, as the scholars have explained. If it were authentic, we would say so and act upon it, but it is not authentic because 'Umar ibn Harun al-Balkhi is in its chain, and he is accused of lying. Therefore, the scholars turned away from it. The authentic hadiths are the ones we mentioned, in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says:, , Sahih Muslim 260.
So my advice to every Muslim is to fear Allah, to let the beard grow, and to allow it to hang down in obedience to Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and out of caution against imitating the polytheists. We ask Allah for guidance and success for everyone.
The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
We move on to the second question from our brother in Damascus (A. A.), who asks: Is letting the beard grow and allowing it to hang down obligatory, a fard, or a recommended practice (sunnah) where one is not punished for leaving it off but is rewarded for doing it? And what is the evidence?
May Allah reward you with good.
Answer:
Letting the beard grow is among the most important obligations; it is obligatory according to the correct opinion of the scholars. This is because the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
Trim your mustaches, let your beards grow, and differ from the polytheists.
قصوا الشوارب، واعفوا اللحى، خالفوا المشركينCut the beards short, let the beards grow, and be distinct from the polytheists.
قصوا الشوارب، ووفروا اللحى، خالفوا المشركينTrim closely the moustache, and grow beard, and thus act against the fire-worshippers.
جزوا الشوارب، وأرخوا اللحى، خالفوا المجوسLet them grow.
اعفواLet them be lenient
أرخواand let them grow them
وفرواAll of this indicates obligation, because the commands of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) must be understood as obligatory, and we must adhere to them, unless there is evidence indicating that they are for recommendation. And we are not aware of anything in the Shari'ah that indicates recommendation. Allah the Exalted says:
And whatever the Messenger has given you - take; and what he has forbidden you - refrain from
وَمَا آتَاكُمُ الرَّسُولُ فَخُذُوهُ وَمَا نَهَاكُمْ عَنْهُ فَانْتَهُواSay, "Obey Allah and obey the Messenger
قُلْْ أَطِيعُوا اللَّهَ وَأَطِيعُوا الرَّسُولَAs for what al-Tirmidhi (may Allah have mercy on him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) "used to trim his beard from its length and width," it is a hadith that is not authentic, as the scholars have explained. If it were authentic, we would say so and act upon it, but it is not authentic because 'Umar ibn Harun al-Balkhi is in its chain, and he is accused of lying. Therefore, the scholars turned away from it. The authentic hadiths are the ones we mentioned, in which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) says:
Trim the mustaches and let the beards grow.
قصوا الشوارب، وأعفوا اللحىCut the beards short, let the beards grow, and be distinct from the polytheists.
قصوا الشوارب، ووفروا اللحى، خالفوا المشركينTrim closely the moustache, and grow beard, and thus act against the fire-worshippers.
جزوا الشوارب، وأرخوا اللحى؛ خالفوا المجوسSo my advice to every Muslim is to fear Allah, to let the beard grow, and to allow it to hang down in obedience to Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and out of caution against imitating the polytheists. We ask Allah for guidance and success for everyone.
The presenter: O Allah, amen. May Allah reward you with good, and may He do you good.
Source
binbaz.org.sa
The Arabic text is copied verbatim from the original source, without any edits.