Beard

By Mufti Ebrahim Desai
Posted: 11 Safar 1422, 5 May 2001


Q.) There is a controversy that having a beard is sunnah and not Fard. I ask some people and they say it is sunnah while others say it is Fard. Also if someone shaves his beard, would this be considered a sin? If so what type of sin would it be? [Anaf]

A.) Here is a quote from an authentic source that answers your question: "For Muslim males to grow a beard is Wajib (compulsory), and to let it grow a fist length is Wajib. Without any Sharée reason to cut or shave is Haram (totally prohibited). He who does so is a Fasiq (sinner) and to shorten it less than a fist length is Makruh Tahrimi (near Haram)." [Darhi Aur Ambiyaa Ki Sunnate, Urdu, Mufti Saeed Palanpuri.]

And Allah Ta'ala Knows Best