Note: The following transcript was generated using AI and may contain inaccuracies.
In the name of Allah, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem.
A brother from Kuwait asks: What is considered a beard? What is the length of the beard? Is it permissible to take from what is under the grip? And do you groom the beard in general to look good? Is this permissible?
Some people say, “Allah is beautiful, and He loves beauty.” Does this contradict the prohibition of grooming? What is the answer to that?
I say, and with Allah’s permission:
First, the beard in Arabic, and we must return to the linguistic meaning. The beard is the hair that grows on the cheeks, and the cheeks are known, as well as the chin.
This hair that grows on the cheeks and the chin, and from the two bones on the right and left beside the ears, these prominent bones, whatever grows on the cheeks and the chin, this is the beard in Arabic. This is what the scholars have explained in the Arabic language and its usage.
As for taking hair that is not part of the beard, meaning what is close to the neck or the hair on the neck, it is narrated from Imam Ahmad that there is no problem in taking it, as it is not part of the beard.
What grows on the neck is not from the beard.
As for taking from the beard itself and its length, taking from it, there are reports from some of the Companions.
As for taking less than a handful, then it appears that it is not allowed, because the texts command to leave the beard, and the الأصل is not to take from it as long as it is part of the beard.
As for the one who has taken from it, we do not say that he has shaved his beard completely, but he has fallen short in this matter.
As for appearing in a good and beautiful manner, then goodness is in following the Shari’ah. Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty, in clothing, appearance, and grooming in what is permitted.
As for this characteristic that Allah created, the beard, it is from the great creation of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. A person must be patient with what people may say, as long as he is upon the Sunnah.
And I ask Allah for success and correctness.
— Answered by Sheikh Dr. Asim Al-Qaryooti
