Question about trimming beard

[Abdulah97]

Assalamu alaikum,

From my understanding, is that its haram to shave the beard, and the beard being hair on the lower jaw, so essentially under the neck its okay and above the cheeks its okay (obviously haram to touch/shape/pluck eyebrows).

Also from my understand is that the mustache its okay to trim it so that it doesn't go over the lips but same rules of beard apply here in that you can't shave it.

So my question then becomes, is it okay to trim beard? My beard is really bad and I have gaps, sometimes if i let grow too long it starts sticking out or curling and i have to trim it (I don't cut it all the way to 0 but slight trim using machine) is this haram?

Jazakallahkhair

[Welltravelled]

Waalaykum assalam. The beard is sunnah. Some Shayuk consider it waajib.
It is not haram to remove or trim the beard.
For something to be haram, it requires clear evidence from the Quran and Sunnah.

In the Shafii school, one should keep some facial hair on the chin with the only part required not to cut being the part that grows directly under the bottom lip.

Beard is in Islam:Islam is not in beard.

Having a big beard is just phoney piety or showing off. If your beard is untidy then trim it.

[AabiruSabeel]

Having a big beard is just phoney piety or showing off.

:salam:

All the prophets and messengers of Allah :swt: kept beards and all the Sahabah :rahm: kept beards. One who imitates a people is one of them. You will be raised on the day of judgement with those whom you loved.

Islam is to have faith in the heart, to proclaim by the tongue, and to act on it with your body. By saying that having a big beard just phoney piety or showing off, you have slandered all the prophets and their companions, all the ulama and our pious predecessors, and every Muslim who keeps a beard.
By disregarding the beard, you are negating an important part of Islam.

We don't allow anyone to spread such fisq on this forum.

[Hamza Asadullah]

Assalamu alaikum,

From my understanding, is that its haram to shave the beard, and the beard being hair on the lower jaw, so essentially under the neck its okay and above the cheeks its okay (obviously haram to touch/shape/pluck eyebrows).

Also from my understand is that the mustache its okay to trim it so that it doesn't go over the lips but same rules of beard apply here in that you can't shave it.

So my question then becomes, is it okay to trim beard? My beard is really bad and I have gaps, sometimes if i let grow too long it starts sticking out or curling and i have to trim it (I don't cut it all the way to 0 but slight trim using machine) is this haram?

Jazakallahkhair

Assalaamu Alaikum. There are differences of opinion with regards to the length of the beard but the majority opinion is to allow it to grow to at least a fist full length. The main thing is that it should look well kept and as beautiful as possible and not have a dishevelled appearance. Therefore it should be well kept, combed and oiled regularly so that it grows healthy and strong. The moustache should also be trimmed and for it not to become thick.

Also invest in a good beard trimmer to shape it nicely as it grows. You can also get it done from a professional at first until the shape develops relatively even throughout. Just try your best with getting it as nice as you possibly can insha'Allah. The main thing is that you intend to follow the Sunnah in order to please Allah.

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[Abdulah97]

Assalaamu Alaikum. There are differences of opinion with regards to the length of the beard but the majority opinion is to allow it to grow to at least a fist full length. The main thing is that it should look well kept and as beautiful as possible and not have a dishevelled appearance. Therefore it should be well kept, combed and oiled regularly so that it grows healthy and strong. The moustache should also be trimmed and for it not to become thick.

Also invest in a good beard trimmer to shape it nicely as it grows. You can also get it done from a professional at first until the shape develops relatively even throughout. Just try your best with getting it as nice as you possibly can insha'Allah. The main thing is that you intend to follow the Sunnah in order to please Allah.

Jazak Allah!

So yes after further research it looks like majority of schools say haram to cut less than a fist and I think the Shafi'i school says its makruh eventhough Imam al-Shafi'i said its haram.

This is the position of all the important figures in the late Shafi‘i school, such as Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, Muhammad al-Ramli, al-Khatib al-Shirbini, and Shaykh al-Islam Zakariyya al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with all of them). (I‘anatu’l-Talibin, 2.341) who say that its makruh

So to be safe I will not touch it if its below a fist full.

But what about cutting some hairs sticking out of the beard? I need to get me some oil and work on smoothing it but for now its curling up and kinda looks scary haha since I wont be completely shaving it but only trimming it I assume the rule still applies in that its less than a fist so even trimming not allowed but I wouldn't consider cutting some hairs to even be trimming to be honest Allah knows best.

Also side note, is the website islamqa.org a safe website for fiqh and jurisprudence? They employ the use of the 4 schools and also provides authentic hadiths and Quran verses when applicable

When compared to https://islamqa.com/ which usually focuses on a main fatwa and doesn't entertain opposing schools, it basically goes for safest and most authentic way.

Like islamqa.com says pants below ankles are haram while islamqa.org gives the 4 schools fatwa on this saying its makruh to do it if its out of aoorange and haram to do it if you its to be arrogant but islamqa clear cut says haram and no other view points are used.

I dont want to come off as fatwa shopping which is what I fear im doing when comparing the two sites.

[Hamza Asadullah]

Jazak Allah!

So yes after further research it looks like majority of schools say haram to cut less than a fist and I think the Shafi'i school says its makruh eventhough Imam al-Shafi'i said its haram.

This is the position of all the important figures in the late Shafi‘i school, such as Ibn Hajar al-Haytami, Muhammad al-Ramli, al-Khatib al-Shirbini, and Shaykh al-Islam Zakariyya al-Ansari (Allah be pleased with all of them). (I‘anatu’l-Talibin, 2.341) who say that its makruh

So to be safe I will not touch it if its below a fist full.

But what about cutting some hairs sticking out of the beard? I need to get me some oil and work on smoothing it but for now its curling up and kinda looks scary haha since I wont be completely shaving it but only trimming it I assume the rule still applies in that its less than a fist so even trimming not allowed but I wouldn't consider cutting some hairs to even be trimming to be honest Allah knows best.

Also side note, is the website islamqa.org a safe website for fiqh and jurisprudence? They employ the use of the 4 schools and also provides authentic hadiths and Quran verses when applicable

When compared to https://islamqa.com/ which usually focuses on a main fatwa and doesn't entertain opposing schools, it basically goes for safest and most authentic way.

Like islamqa.com says pants below ankles are haram while islamqa.org gives the 4 schools fatwa on this saying its makruh to do it if its out of aoorange and haram to do it if you its to be arrogant but islamqa clear cut says haram and no other view points are used.

I dont want to come off as fatwa shopping which is what I fear im doing when comparing the two sites.

Asalaamu Alaikum,

Just let it grow and thicken. It my look a bit messy at first but once it thickens then you can shape it better. In the meantime continue to put oil on it and comb it. Soon it will become thick enough to shape nicely inshaAllah.

Ive already answered your question regarding Fiqh and Fatwa websites in the following thread: https://www.islamicboard.com/advice-...ml#post3040051

Yes fatwa shopping can occur when one does not follow a particular Madhab or Scholars which may leave one susceptible to "shopping" around and picking fatwas or positions that are in accordance with one's desires.

Therefore we must do our research and ask of Allah to guide us as to what is best for us. However as mentioned in the previous thread, we must not fall for the "our opinion is more in accordance with the Qur'an and Sunnah than the other opinions", as this is very divisive rhetoric.

Scholars are certainly entitled to hold whatever position they are inclined towards as can we but we must be careful not to put down other valid differences of Fiqhi opinions and positions.

It is also unanimously agreed upon and the consensus (Ijma) of the Ummah that each of the 4 Madhabs are correct in their own ways as each of them have their own evidences from the Qur'an and Sunnah after going through centuries of scholarly development to back up their stances.

Just because a set of scholars sell their methodology by saying it is the "most" authentic" or the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) "only" prayed in such and such a way" then it does not mean that it is or that he only prayed in that way. As also mentioned in the previous thread we must avoid developing a cultist mentality in that "our group is the only saved group and everyone else is misguided and astray". We must be humble and not divisive or become arrogant.

Therefore do your own research and follow what you are inclined towards or follow the Madhab or Scholars whereby you will be able to access resources more easily. That way you will be able to find answers to whatever Fiqh or fatwa related issues which may not be covered in Fiqh or Fatwa websites.

And Allah knows best in all matters