Respected servants of “Allah the Most Honorable and Almighty”, in the previous posts we have been continuously looking at matters related to hair and keeping a moustache. This week, we will look at the Islamic position regarding keeping the beard.
As far as the beard is concerned, from the time mankind was created until the 19th century, men generally kept beards. If you look at past leaders from the beginning of human history until the 19th century, all of them had beards. Only after shaving blades and tools were invented in the 19th century did the culture of shaving begin to spread. It was after 1900, after these shaving tools were invented, that Westerners made it fashionable to shave the beard completely and keep the face smooth. Seeing this, people around the world began copying it.
But in the 20th century this trend began changing again. In India, if you look, many major leaders have beards. Film actors who previously appeared without beards now act and appear publicly with beards. The idea that a man looks handsome only without a beard existed mainly during that one-century gap between the 19th and 20th centuries. Now even that has changed, and those who want to appear attractive in cinema often appear with beards.
So, what is Islam’s view regarding the beard? Whether it is beard or hair, simply because the Messenger of Allah kept it or did not keep it, we cannot derive a ruling from that alone. The beard is something natural in a man’s creation. However, if the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) gave an order regarding something—even if it is a natural matter—then it becomes part of religion.
If the Messenger kept a beard, that alone does not make it a religious law. It simply means he grew a beard. It becomes part of Islam only if there is an order regarding it. We must see whether he gave a command about it.
There is hair on the head. The Messenger kept hair. Do we call that Sunnah? No. If you wish, keep it; if not, leave it. Why? Because everyone kept hair. It is natural to humanity. We do not call keeping hair Sunnah because it is a natural matter common to all people. Eating food is also common to all people. If something is to become a religious matter, the Messenger must clearly command it.
Regarding the beard, the fact that the Prophet kept a beard is not sufficient evidence. Even Abu Jahl had a beard like the Prophet. So, what makes it religious? It is because the Prophet strongly emphasized it and repeatedly instructed that men must keep beards. He emphasized it more strongly than even circumcision.
In Sahih Bukhari (Hadith 5892), the Prophet said: “Differ from the polytheists. Grow the beards fully.” When he commands something that already exists naturally, that command gives it religious significance.
In another hadith, he said: “Trim the moustaches and grow the beards.” He also said: “Differ from the Magians (fire worshippers).” The Magians were fire-worshippers in Persia during the Prophet’s time. They shaved their beards. The Prophet instructed Muslims not to imitate them. This narration is found in Sahih Muslim. Many other hadith also command: grow the beard, leave it full, increase it.
Therefore, keeping the beard is part of religion. If we claim to love the Prophet and wish to preserve the religion, Allah says in the Qur’an: “If you love Allah, then follow me; Allah will love you.” Since the Prophet clearly commanded regarding the beard, it becomes necessary to follow it.
At the same time, there is no disagreement in Islam about the beard being Sunnah. All schools—Shafi‘i, Hanafi, Maliki, Shia—accept it as part of Islam. Only the Qur’an-only group rejects hadith. Apart from them, all Muslims agree the beard is Sunnah. There is no second opinion about that.
Where there is disagreement is in the meaning of “grow it fully.” Does it mean leave it completely untouched no matter how long it grows? Some interpret it that way—even if it looks messy or unattractive.
Another opinion says: “Grow it fully” means do not shave it. But trimming excess length is permissible. The beard must be present in all areas; its length can be adjusted.
Which opinion is correct? The second one. Evidence includes Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), who narrated the hadith “grow the beard fully,” yet during Hajj and Umrah he would hold his beard in his fist and cut whatever exceeded that. If trimming were forbidden, he would not have done so. He was known for strictly following the Prophet—even in worldly matters.
For example, if the Prophet relieved himself under a certain tree, Ibn Umar would go to that same spot and do the same. Even in non-religious matters, he imitated the Prophet exactly. So if trimming were forbidden, he would never have trimmed it.
Some people naturally cannot grow beards, such as Mongolian or East Asian populations where beard growth is limited due to hormonal factors. So, specifying a fixed length—one fist, two fists—cannot apply universally. Beard growth varies by individual. Therefore, no fixed measurement can be imposed.
The Prophet also gave guidance regarding head hair: either shave it all or leave it all—do not partially shave. “Leave it fully” does not mean never cut it; otherwise, hair would grow endlessly like women’s long hair. The Prophet’s wives would trim their hair to earlobe length after Hajj. This is mentioned in Sahih Muslim. That length was still called “full hair.” So “full” does not mean never trimming; it means not shaving completely.
Thus, for the beard, “grow it fully” means do not shave it off. Do not shave areas where beard naturally grows. But trimming length and width for neatness is not against Sunnah.
Allah is beautiful and loves beauty (“Inna Allaha jameelun yuhibbul jamal”). Some beards look unkempt and unattractive; trimming them neatly makes them both compliant with Sunnah and presentable. Intention alone is not enough; understanding must also be correct.
In the Qur’an, the beard is mentioned only once—in the story of Musa and Harun. When Musa returned and saw his people worshipping the golden calf, he grabbed Harun by the beard in anger. This shows Harun had a beard long enough to be grabbed. But this does not establish a required length.
As for a narration claiming the Prophet trimmed his beard in length and width, those reports are weak because they are narrated by Umar ibn Harun, who is considered unreliable. There is no authentic hadith stating the Prophet trimmed his beard. However, from the actions of companions like Ibn Umar and from linguistic understanding, trimming is permissible so long as shaving is avoided.
Therefore, the beard must be kept wherever it grows on the face. Do not shave it. But adjusting length and width for neatness does not contradict Sunnah.
Insha Allah, next we will look at other topics.