Beard has long been considered a symbol of masculinity. In some cultures, a clean-shaven face even disgusted and became the object of ridicule. But over time, the attitude towards bearded men has changed, and now each person has the opportunity to independently choose what his appearance will be. However, in certain religious movements, there are special rules about how a truly faithful representative of a denomination should look. A pretty hot topic for debate, especially among young people, is the beard. In Islam, there is no unity of opinion on this score, so we will try to clarify this topic a little.
Islam: traditional beard attitude
The importance of the beard in Islam is particularly emphasized by many religious figures. They refer to the fact that even the Prophet Muhammad commanded men to wear beards to be different from the Gentiles. Therefore, this recommendation is perceived as a rule, which must be followed in order to earn the approval of Allah.
But do not just so superficially consider wearing a beard in Islam. To understand the issue, it is necessary to have some knowledge about how this religious movement was formed, and also in what time period this happened. The fact is that during the life of the Prophet Muhammad, neat vegetation was considered an invariable attribute of a real man. Growing a beard was the action that allowed the young man to feel like an adult and an independent man. Only in this case he was allowed to start a family and live his own house.
A similar attitude to facial hair was not only among Muslims. For example, in Ancient Russia, a man had to carefully monitor himself and in no case shave his beard and mustache. This was considered a great shame, although it had nothing to do with religious rites. Historians attribute this fact rather to cultural traditions.
But for a Muslim, facial hair is a special attribute that proves his faith in Allah. That's just, despite the understanding of how important the beard in Islam, whether it is necessary to wear it, no one will tell you. Will deliverance from her be a sin? How to determine the line between the fulfillment of the covenants of the Prophet Muhammad and the rules that modern society dictates? Let's try to figure it out.
Hadith: what is this?
They can help to find out how important the beard in Islam, the hadith. Every faithful Muslim knows well what it is. But if you are not strong in religious terms, then we are ready to fill this gap.
Hadiths are the traditions of the words of the Prophet Muhammad, which govern all aspects of the life of an Orthodox Muslim. Hadith conveyed the views and sayings of the prophet about certain things, and their reliability was confirmed by the decency and god-fearing person who conveys these words.
If a person did not inspire confidence in the community, then the hadiths could not be considered reliable and carefully checked. Sometimes they were completely rejected as a source of information about the Prophet Muhammad. Over time, such a trend as hadithology has even formed in Islam. It includes the study of the hadiths themselves and their transmitters. A special methodology has been developed for this, which is especially actively used by Muslim scholars.
Since the Prophet Muhammad spoke about everything that a faithful Muslim must do in order to earn the approval of Allah, it is natural that the hadith also mentions the vegetation on the faces of men.
Hadith about the beard
It is worth noting that the Prophet Muhammad quite often mentioned the personal hygiene of a Muslim. He argued that the faithful are an example to other people, so they should look neat and tidy. One of the hadiths indicates that a believer in Allah must shave his mustache and grow a beard. This will distinguish him from the Gentiles and polytheists.
In another hadith, the prophet Muhammad notes ten things that make up the naturalness given by nature to a Muslim. Among the usual hygiene recommendations, beard regrowth is mentioned. It is also important to trim your mustache and care for your mouth. Thus, we can conclude that the beard in Islam is an important and significant attribute. But, in addition to this, there are rules for wearing vegetation on the face, which must be strictly followed.
The culture of wearing a beard in Islam
It seems to many Muslims that the facial hair should be as thick and long as possible, but in fact this is fundamentally the wrong opinion. For example, cutting a beard in Islam is not an arbitrary action, but a well-regulated process. The Hadith says that the Prophet Muhammad cut the beard in length and width so that it looks neat. Since all the faithful should be likened to him, then they should be more careful about their facial hair.
A beard without a mustache is also allowed, this moment is left to the discretion of the man himself. Many Muslims do not let go of their mustaches, although they carefully monitor their beard. In the hadiths, the prophet Muhammad specified that only savages did not cut their beards. The most acceptable length is one that does not exceed the size of a clenched fist. However, shorter than this length, facial hair should not be.
Islam beard what does it mean?
So yet, what is the true purpose of the vegetation on the face of an Orthodox Muslim? What information does a neat beard in Islam translate into society? It is not so easy to answer these questions even to theologians and Muslim scholars.
But if we summarize the statements of all of them, we can conclude that the beard in Islam is a kind of symbol that allows you to distinguish a true Muslim from an unbeliever. Moreover, this attribute of appearance brings a person closer to Allah, because he fulfills the orders of the Prophet Muhammad, who transfers the will of the Most High to people.
Beard coloring
Few people know that Muslims are allowed and even shown to stain facial hair. The Prophet Muhammad commanded the faithful to paint beards in red and yellow shades. In this they should have been distinguished from Jews and Christians.
Black color in coloring is unacceptable, in this matter all theologians are unanimous. The one exception is the warrior leading the jihad. In this case, already one beard color should eloquently speak about his intentions.
Islamic beard: sunnah or farce
Despite the fact that the theologians have long proved the importance of the beard, the question of how mandatory it is to be worn remains a very acute and debated issue among Muslims.
The fact is that many hadiths form the basis of the Sunnah - recommendations that are desirable, but not mandatory. If a Muslim does everything that the Sunnah contains, he will receive additional approval from Allah. However, failure to comply with certain points will not lead to sin.
The situation is different when we say that the action turns into a fard. This means that one or another recommendation becomes mandatory. And in case of deviation from the rules, a faithful Muslim commits a sin that will require repentance and atonement.
But so far, none of the theologians can determine exactly how to relate to wearing a beard. Some argue that you should not shave it for no particular reason. It should be trimmed and neat, but only in case of illness, a Muslim can allow shaving of facial hair. In addition, many of the caliphs argued that if a person simply does not grow a beard, he should not be upset because of this and consider himself somehow spoiled. Indeed, faith does not depend on the length of the beard, but is the result of the work of the heart and soul.
But other theologians elevate the beard to the category of a prerequisite for a true Muslim. Her absence is perceived as a violation of the laws of Allah and requires immediate punishment. This tendency is especially pronounced among radical Islamists.
Sharia norms: a beard as a symbol of true faith
Although there is debate among Muslims about the significance of the beard, according to Sharia norms, this issue is solved very simply. It is known that in the countries of the Middle East where these norms were introduced, men underwent a special examination for the presence of a beard. Moreover, it had to be strictly no less than the length of a clenched fist. Those who successfully passed the inspection could be considered truly Orthodox. But for those who did not comply with the rules, fate was not so supportive. They were beaten publicly.
In some Taliban-controlled countries, the death penalty was due for the lack of a beard. This was announced publicly immediately after coming to power. As a warning, the Taliban blew up hairdressers and issued separate warnings to barbers. In their remarks, the Taliban referred to the fact that shaving facial hair is contrary to the words of the Prophet Muhammad.
Muslim countries where beard shaving is tolerant
It is worth noting that in many countries where Islam is the official religion, it is permissible for men to be in a society without a beard. For example, in Turkey, a beard is regarded as a sunnah for adult men, but government officials should be in the workplace with a clean-shaven face.
A similar situation is developing in Lebanon. There wearing a beard does not characterize a man as a true Muslim, but in many cases, on the contrary, causes him excessive interest from the forces of law and order.
In Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, Muslims are treated equally with and without a beard. But more and more often in society, a person on whose face thick vegetation is visible causes suspicion. What is the reason for this?
Beard - a distinctive feature of the terrorist
Unfortunately, in the modern world, the attitude to the beard in Islam has changed significantly. She became associated with extremism and terrorism. Indeed, most of the radical Muslims who commit bloody terrorist acts and conducting hostilities in the Middle East have thick and long beards. Now, such people cause fear, although Islam categorically opposes the killing of innocent people.
Due to changes in the world, many Muslim leaders look extremely positive at shaving their beards. After all, this is becoming a hallmark of those who have absolutely nothing to do with terrorism. In many countries, an unofficial ban on wearing a beard is introduced, but it is worth noting that this is just a temporary measure, caused by the difficult situation in the Islamic world.
Young muslims and beard regrowth
Many muftis notice that a beard without a mustache is becoming a very fashionable attribute of modern Muslim youth. And such an attitude is always criticized by theologians, because in this case young people follow the path of least resistance. They consider themselves to be true Muslims, fulfilling the covenants of the Prophet Muhammad, only through a beard. It seems to indicate a person’s integrity, which in most cases is not confirmed.
Therefore, some muftis begin to talk about the right to wear a beard, which can only be earned. For example, Ildar Zaganshin’s sermon is known, which claims that only with the acquisition of a family of thirty years (at least) you can afford to grow a small beard. But at sixty, a man has the right to let go of a long beard, symbolizing his wisdom and willingness to share his life experience.
Growing or shaving: the eternal dilemma
Of course, it is difficult to unequivocally answer the question whether a Muslim should let his beard go. After all, we have already shown how multifaceted this problem is. But still, many consider it correct to observe the covenants of the Prophet Muhammad and not to oppose modern society. Therefore, often men allow themselves to wear a small and neat beard, which does not cause suspicion among others. Perhaps this is precisely the most correct and wise decision of the faithful Muslim.