Question : A question was asked regarding the beardless man, and whether he may be described as “corrupt” (fasiq).

Fatwa in Brief: It is correct to describe the man who shaves off his beard as fasiq, if he refuses your advice [to let it grow].

The Permanent Committee, 5/146-147

Response:

Scholars disagree regarding the correct legal position on growing one’s beard. They are divided as to whether this is obligatory or [merely] recommended. A matter that is disagreed upon is not prohibited, that is why it is not permitted to describe a beardless man as corrupt.

Commentary:

It was previously mentioned that scholars disagreed regarding whether a man it is obligatory or merely recommended to grow one’s beard. It is confirmed as a basic principle of the religion [i.e. from the usul] that when a matter is not universally prohibited, it may not be described as such. Accordingly, it is not permitted to call a beardless man corrupt (fasiq). [It is entirely possible that] He follows the school of genuine seekers of knowledge and trustworthy Imams, who do not believe that shaving off one’s beard is haram, and that growing it is [merely] recommended. This is the position, for instance, of the Shafi‘i and many of the Hanbali scholars.

In al-Furu‘, Ibn Muflih reports that Ibn Hazm states that there is a scholarly consensus to the effect that trimming one’s moustache and letting the beard grow are obligatory; [while] our companions and others considered this merely recommended.[1]Al-Nawawi observes that “the correct opinion is that it is disliked (makruh) to remove anything [i.e. shave even a little] from the beard; and this is the position in the Shafi‘i school of law; and this also agrees with the approaches of al-Nawawi and al-Rafi‘i.[2]

 

In the Fatwa Centre, under the supervision of Dr. ‘Abdullah al-Faqih:

Such legal matters are not to be rejected cursorily. No one should obligate another to follow his opinion on them. Rather, they must endeavour to convince people with proof established scientifically (‘ilmiya). The one who believes his opinion to be true should follow it; while if his fellow chooses to follow another [legally established] opinion on the same matter, there is no harm in this.[3] Accusing the person who shaves his beard of being corrupt is an act of needless harm. And God the Almighty and Glorious despises any act that harms believers. Thus, anyone whomsoever believes in God and the Last Day (of Judgment) should strive not to harm his neighbor. And whosoever believes in God and the Last Day should speak positive and pleasant words or remain silent.[4]

And God knows best.

Dr. Ahmad ‘Id