Shaving The Beard

[Ali.20]

AlSalam Alaykum:

I really want to know if shaving the beard is haram or not. Because if it is, why lots of Shia, if not most of them, are shaving their beards (even the religious ones)? Is it because we don't want to look like Wahhabis or that we want to look nice and not like the old Neanderthals?

Thank you.

[Ethics]

Shaving your beard with a razor is haram. I think it is okay to use the machine instead of a razor and shave everything and let it regrow.

[Ali.20]

Shaving your beard with a razor is haram. I think it is okay to use the machine instead of a razor and shave everything and let it regrow.

So is it okay with electric shavers? Because I am following Sayed Al-Sistani and he says it's haram unless it's compulsion or makes you ridiculed.

[Ethics]

So is it okay with electric shavers? Because I am following Sayed Al-Sistani and he says it's haram unless it's compulsion or makes you ridiculed.

I dont want the sin to fall upon me, so I would suggest to follow WHATEVER your marja says. Dont try and make excuses for yourself, and see your true intention of shaving your beard.

[Ali.20]

I dont want the sin to fall upon me, so I would suggest to follow WHATEVER your marja says. Dont try and make excuses for yourself, and see your true intention of shaving your beard.

Thanks, man. But family members are forcing me and influencing me to do such a thing. And I think if I keep it, I might look ugly or even look like a Wahhabi, and that I am not like other Shia or that I am being like a Sunni. Do you see where I am going to?

[Ethics]

Thanks, man. But family members are forcing me and influencing me to do such a thing. And I think if I keep it, I might look ugly or even look like a Wahhabi, and that I am not like other Shia or that I am being like a Sunni. Do you see where I am going to?

Are they really forcing you? Will they disown you or kill you? Keep you beard, no one said it has to look like wahabis. Just trim it and make it look really nice. I dont think anyone looks ugly with a beard. If it truly makes you happy, girls like men with beards, and they even did a scientific study to prove it. The least liked was clean shaven. I think your families opinion is getting to your head. Follow God not your family.

Wa Salaam

[Haydar Husayn]

Thanks, man. But family members are forcing me and influencing me to do such a thing. And I think if I keep it, I might look ugly or even look like a Wahhabi, and that I am not like other Shia or that I am being like a Sunni. Do you see where I am going to?

Why don't you concern yourself more with looking like the Prophet (pbuh) and Imams (as), rather than not looking like a Wahhabi? Just because the Wahhabis follow a Sunnah, that means you should abandon it?

[Ethics]

Why don't you concern yourself more with looking like the Prophet (pbuh) and Imams (as), rather than not looking like a Wahhabi? Just because the Wahhabis follow a Sunnah, that means you should abandon it?

What he is trying to say is he doesnt want a broom on his face like zakir. I doubt the prophet had a untrimmed, non-cleaned, bush looking beard. We arnt savages.

[Haydar Husayn]

What he is trying to say is he doesnt want a broom on his face like zakir. I doubt the prophet had a untrimmed, non-cleaned, bush looking beard. We arnt savages.

Why is he talking about shaving then? Anyway, the Prophet (pbuh) and Imams (as) had a longer beard than most Shias do these days. However, if you look at Shia scholars, there is typically little difference between their beards and 'Wahhabi beards'.

[Ethics]

Why is he talking about shaving then? Anyway, the Prophet (pbuh) and Imams (as) had a longer beard than most Shias do these days. However, if you look at Shia scholars, there is typically little difference between their beards and 'Wahhabi beards'.

really they had longer beards? How do you know?

[Haydar Husayn]

really they had longer beards? How do you know?

Various reasons, but for example ahadith such as:

3 – And from a number of our companions from Ahmad b. Abi `Abdillah from `Ali b. Ishaq b. Sa`d from Yunus from one of his companions from Abu `Abdillah عليه السلام regarding the measure of the beard. He said: Grab a handful with your hand upon your beard and cut what is extra.

And if you look at any marja, you will see that is roughly how long his beard is. I don't see too many marjas with short beards. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a short beard. It's not haram or anything, but clearly the Sunnah is to have a beard that is a fistful in length.

[Ethics]

Various reasons, but for example ahadith such as:

3 – And from a number of our companions from Ahmad b. Abi `Abdillah from `Ali b. Ishaq b. Sa`d from Yunus from one of his companions from Abu `Abdillah عليه السلام regarding the measure of the beard. He said: Grab a handful with your hand upon your beard and cut what is extra.

And if you look at any marja, you will see that is roughly how long his beard is. I don't see too many marjas with short beards. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a short beard. It's not haram or anything, but clearly the Sunnah is to have a beard that is a fistful in length.

Im confused, I asked how do you know their beards were longer then shias of today? Do they have gigantic hands or something? BTW CUT is the special word.

[SouthsideShia]

As long as you trim it and keep it neat it will make you look better, not like those filthy nasibis.

[Haydar Husayn]

Im confused, I asked how do you know their beards were longer then shias of today? Do they have gigantic hands or something? BTW CUT is the special word.

I said than most Shias today, not all, and gave scholars as one of the exceptions. I'm sure you know that a lot of people talk about a 'Shia beard' to mean a shortly-trimmed one.

[Ibn al-Hassan]

As long as you trim it and keep it neat it will make you look better, not like those filthy nasibis.

It is sunnah to trim (not shave) the mustache. And keeping the rest of the beard longer is likewise recommended. I really don't understand why a big beard is now associated with Salafis / Wahabis. You can still keep it clean (you know fix up the neck area and the hair on the upper cheeks) while also letting it grow...

(wasalam)

[Ethics]

It is sunnah to trim (not shave) the mustache. And keeping the rest of the beard longer is likewise recommended. I really don't understand why a big beard is now associated with Salafis / Wahabis. You can still keep it clean (you know fix up the neck area and the hair on the upper cheeks) while also letting it grow...

(wasalam)

its not necessarily a big beard its the bushes they grow that look dirty and nasty, like cavemen.

[Abdul Qaim]

its not necessarily a big beard its the bushes they grow that look dirty and nasty, like cavemen.

It's sunnah to grow the beard a fist's length and no longer. The problem with many Salafis/Wahhabis is that they grow their beards far longer than the sunnah. It's almost as if they consider that the longer the beard, the more the thawaab.

[Ali.20]

its not necessarily a big beard its the bushes they grow that look dirty and nasty, like cavemen.

But as I asked, there are Shia (even big known ones) that are shaving their beards.

[Haydar Husayn]

But as I asked, there are Shia (even big known ones) that are shaving their beards.

For example? Keep in mind that some people aren't capable of growing a thick beard, so they wouldn't count.

[Ali.20]

For example? Keep in mind that some people aren't capable of growing a thick beard, so they wouldn't count.

Basim Al Karbalaei, Aba dhar al Halawachi, maybe the TV guy in front of Sayed Kamal Al-Haydari?

[SouthsideShia]

On 6/8/2013 at 11:01 AM, Ali.20 said:

Basim Al Karbalaei, Aba dhar al Halawachi, maybe the TV guy in front of Sayed Kamal Al-Haydari?

Those aren't really Shia personalities. Instead of looking at the TV guy in front of Sayed Kamal, why won't you look at Sayed Kamal, lol.

Also, it looks like al Halawaji would grow a beard if he could, I see a thin mustache and some chin and jaw hair. Maybe he isn't able go grow a full beard.

Also, Karbalai has a beard.

[kim.tinkerbell]

Instead of looking at the TV guy in front of Sayed Kamal, why won't you look at Sayed Kamal, lol.

Lol, I dont think he wants to look old.

It's strange why cant men shave, shaving is what makes the hair thicker, now I understand why yassir habibis beard is light, he doesnt shave...

[Ali Musaaa :)]

shaving is what makes the hair thicker,

Myth.

[SouthsideShia]

http://i.imgur.com/Nqp58.jpg

http://www.motherjones.com/files/imagecache/master-image/legacy/news/feature/2004/07/shiite_200x180.jpg

http://www.alhujjah.net/v2/images/stories/img_9630.jpg

http://img.allvoices.com/thumbs/image/609/480/92553775-cast-member.jpg

http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/48180000/jpg/_48180151_shialawmaker.jpg

[AlAbd AlThaleel]

(bismillah)

Fatawa of some prominent maraji' on the shaving of the beard:

Sayyed al-Khamenai (ha):

Q1: Is shaving the beard considered as sin?

A: According to obligatory caution, shaving the beard is ḥarām. Therefore, rulings and consequences of a sinful act are applied to it as a matter of caution.

Q2: Some men leave the hair around the chin grow, i.e. goatee, and shave the rest of the beard. What is the view on such practice?

A: The ruling on shaving a part of beard is the same as that passed on shaving the entire beard.

Sayyed al-Sistani (ha):

Based on obligatory precaution it is not permissible for a man to shave his beard. Similarly, it is not permissible for him to just leave the hair on his chin and shave the sides. This too is based on obligatory precaution. (See the question-answer section below.)

A Muslim is allowed to shave his beard, if he is compelled to do so or if he is forced to shave it for medical reasons, etc. It also allowed if he fears harm to his life by not shaving or if growing the beard would put him in difficulty (for example, if it becomes a cause of ridicule and humiliation that is not normally tolerable by a Muslim).

Question: At times the big companies in Europe discriminate —among those who come to them seeking jobs— between those who shave their beards and those who don’t shave them. If this is true, then is it permissible to be clean shaven in order to get the job?

Answer: Shaving the beard —whose prohibition is based on obligatory precaution— would not become permissible just by the desire to get a job with these companies.

Question: Is it permissible to shave the two sides of the face and leave the hair on the chin?

Answer: Shaving the beard is haram based on obligatory precaution, and this includes the hair that grows on the sides of the face. However, there is no problem in shaving the hair that grows on the cheeks.

Question :

Some men shave their beard and leave some hair on the chin alone. Is this sufficient according shariah?

Answer :

French-cut beard is not sufficient as an obligatory precaution.

Question :

Is it permissible to have a long beard?

Answer :

It is better that the length of beard does not exceed the width of a fist.

Sayyed Fadhlullah (rh):

Q: Is Shaving the beard lawful?

A: One should not shave his beard, but it is permissible to do so especially when it’s necessary for the work he performs or the like.

Sayyed al-Hakim (ha):

Q:Can a man shave his mustache and beard? Is your ruling based on Ihtiyaat? I am unemployed and have to survive my family. A job is offered to me and they asked me to shave. I am confused about this regards.

A:It is not permissible to shave. The ruling is a verdict and not based on precaution – Ihtiyaat . You are advised to look for a permissible kind of livelihood as almighty Allah is with whoever looks for a permissible sustenance.

Q:I am wondering about the fatwa of Sayyid Mohammed Saeed Al-Hakeem regarding the small beard (Called goatee) that covers only the area under the lower lip and chin. It is permissible?

A:It is permissible.

Q:Can a man shave his mustache and beard? Is your ruling based on Ihtiyaat - precaution?

A:It is not permissible to shave the beard as a verdict and not as a precaution. It is not permissible to follow others as long as the ruling is a verdict and not a precaution. It is permissible to shave the mustache and it is sufficient to leave a little bit of hair as a beard.

Q:Is it compulsory to grow a beard in Islam. Did any of our 12 Imams emphasize on growing a beard?

A:It is prohibited to shave the beard and there are narrations in the detailed jurists’ books of religious jurisprudence.

Ayatullah Saanei (ha):

Q1017: Is it permissible to shave one’ beard with a razor or a shaver?

A: In my view, it is not clear whether it is illegal to shave the beard or not and it does not seem to be illegal, although it is better to avoid it as a precaution.

[Basim Ali]

Question: Is it permissible to shave the two sides of the face and leave the hair on the chin?

Answer: Shaving the beard is haram based on obligatory precaution, and this includes the hair that grows on the sides of the face. However, there is no problem in shaving the hair that grows on the cheeks.

I never really got the difference between 'the sides of the face' and the 'cheeks'. :donno:

Anyone?

Edited June 9, 2013 by Basim Ali

[AlAbd AlThaleel]

I would think that the cheeks would be the area where kind of random hairs grow, that is an inch or two below the eyes, but I'm not certain.

[Jafri213]

What is the minimum length of beard acceptable. If i allow it to grow to long it becomes curly and people in the office make fun out of it and say i look sick. I have trimmed it to 4 hoping it is acceptable. I have heard hadith that beard should be visible from 40 hands distance but no auhentic source. Please , someone respond to it in detail. 

[Salam7]

Mashallah Brothers, I'm happy to read this topic, since I'm so dissapointed with all the brothers that are in ignorant about this very Important factor!

 

Dear Brothers, Your BEARD is your Pride! It is the essence of your manhood, your dignity your masculinity, please don't shave it. PLease look at the painting of Imam Ali, aleihi Salam, Mashallah look at this Lion of Allah and see his beauty and know that your Beard are your manes, just like a lion.
The beard is the sign of wisdom, strenght and courage.
And unfortunatly in this Akhirat we see MAN that ACT and DRESS like WOMEN! and women as man...
What do you think of women letting her mustache grow? It terrible and disgusting...
That is the same for Man who shave the beard...
Man without beard is man with identity problem; either he is childish, not grown up, little boy, either he doesn't understand his masculinity or has sexual issues.
Dear brothers, don't let this ugly fashion of the Corrupt Modern world Spoil your mind, know that your BEARD is your Dignity and Beauty.
As long hair is the beauty of the women, and unfortunatly women are shaving and cutting their hair Atagfirullah!
Please consider this, There is soo much barakat, soo much power in the Beard, who ever start contemplating on this issue will find enough rational proof and understanding to be proud on his beard.

 

[Salam7]

As for the Wahabi style beard, this ughly beards they have show their disturped caracter and thinking, as any person with AQL and slightly understanding of Beauty sees ugliness of caracter represented in this Wahabi style beards!!!
We all know that there is so much Hadith advising to make the beard beautiful, cutting it so it looks neat,
just like combing the hair, the beard should look neat. This Wahabi's look extremly animalistic, like shaitanic people, just out of the bed, not even paying attention to the ugliness of these wild beards. As Inside, As outside.  

[Jafri213]

On 6/8/2013 at 11:07 AM, Ethics said:

its not necessarily a big beard its the bushes they grow that look dirty and nasty, like cavemen.

I can show you men from all walks of life with long beard but very neatly kept. If someone doesn't maintain his hairs also he will also look like a cavemen, tht doesnt mean we all should trim our hair to a military cut. If you know how to sport a beard you can look really cool in a longer beard also.