Beard has long been considered a symbol of masculinity. In some cultures, a clean-shaven face was even disgusted and the object of ridicule. But over time, the attitude towards bearded men has changed, and now every 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 believing representative of the denomination should look. A rather acute topic for controversy, especially among young people, is the beard. There is no unity of opinion in Islam on this matter, so we will try to clarify this topic a little.
Islam: the traditional attitude to the beard
The importance of the beard in Islam is emphasized by many religious figures. They refer to the fact that even the Prophet Muhammad commanded men to wear beards in order to distinguish themselves frompagans. Therefore, this recommendation is perceived as a rule that must be followed in order to earn the approval of Allah.
But it is not necessary to consider wearing a beard in Islam so simply and superficially. To understand the issue, it is necessary to have some knowledge of how this religious trend was formed, as well as in what time period it 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 act that allowed the young man to feel like an adult and independent man. Only then was he allowed to start a family and live in his own home.
It wasn't just Muslims who had this attitude towards facial hair. 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 more to cultural traditions.
But for a Muslim, facial hair is a special attribute that proves his faith in Allah. But, despite the understanding of how important a beard is in Islam, no one will tell you whether it is mandatory to wear it. Would it be a sin to get rid of it? How to define the line between the fulfillment of the precepts of the Prophet Muhammad and the rules dictated by modern society? Let's try to figure it out.
Hadith: what is this one?
Able to help you learn how important a beard is in Islam, hadiths. Every true Muslimknows well what it is. But if you are not strong in religious terms, then we are ready to fill this gap.
Hadith are the legends about the words of the Prophet Muhammad, which regulate all aspects of the life of a devout Muslim. Hadith conveyed the opinions and statements of the prophet about certain things, and their authenticity was confirmed by the decency and piety of the person transmitting these words.
If a person did not inspire confidence in the community, then the hadiths could not be considered reliable and were carefully rechecked. Sometimes they were completely rejected as a source of information about the Prophet Muhammad. Over time, Islam even formed such a trend as hadith studies. It includes the study of the hadiths themselves and their narrators. For this, a special methodology has been developed, which is especially actively used by Muslim scientists.
Since the Prophet Muhammad talked 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 facial hair of men.
Hadith about beards
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 for other people, so they should look neat and tidy. One of the hadiths states that the believer in Allah is obliged to shave his mustache and grow a beard. This will distinguish him from pagans and polytheists.
In another hadith, the prophet Muhammad notes ten things that make up the naturalness given by nature to a Muslim. Growing a beard is mentioned among the usual hygiene recommendations. It is also important to trim the mustache and take care of the oral cavity. 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 facial hair, which must be strictly followed.
Beard culture in Islam
Many Muslims think that facial hair should be as thick and long as possible, but in fact this is a fundamentally wrong opinion. For example, trimming a beard in Islam is not an arbitrary action, but a clearly regulated process. It is said in the hadith that the Prophet Muhammad cut his beard in length and width in order to make it look neat. Since all believers should be like 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 grow mustaches, although they carefully monitor their beards. In the hadiths, the prophet Muhammad specified that only savages do not cut their beards. The most acceptable length is one that does not exceed the size of a clenched fist. However, facial hair should not be shorter than this length.
Beard in Islam what does it mean?
So, what is the true purpose of the facial hair of a devout Muslim? What information does a neat beard in Islam transmit to society? These questions are not easy to answer even for 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. In addition, this attribute of appearance brings a person closer to Allah, because he fulfills the orders of the Prophet Muhammad, who conveys the will of the Almighty to people.
Beard coloring
Few people know that Muslims are allowed and even shown to paint their facial hair. The Prophet Muhammad commanded the faithful to dye their beards red and yellow. In this they were to be distinguished from Jews and Christians.
Black color in staining is unacceptable, on this issue all theologians are unanimous. The only exception is the jihad warrior. In this case, the color of the beard alone should speak eloquently of his intentions.
Beard in Islam: sunnah or farz
Despite the fact that the importance of a beard has long been proven by theologians, the question of how obligatory it is to wear it remains very acute and debated among Muslims.
The fact is that many hadiths form the basis of the sunnah - a recommendation that is desirable, but not mandatory. If a Muslim does everything that the sunnah contains, he will receive additional approval from Allah. However, refusing to do certain things will not lead to sin.
It's different when we say action becomes fard. This means that one or another recommendation acquires the status of mandatory implementation. And inin case of deviation from the rules, a devout Muslim commits a sin that will require repentance and atonement.
But until now, none of the theologians can accurately determine how to relate to wearing a beard. Some argue that you should not shave it off without a special reason. It should be trimmed and tidy, but only in case of illness can a Muslim 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 about this and consider himself somehow spoiled. After all, 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 raise a beard to the category of a prerequisite for a devout Muslim. Her absence is perceived as a violation of the laws of Allah and requires immediate punishment. This trend is especially pronounced among radical Islamists.
Sharia norms: a beard as a symbol of the true faith
Although there are disputes among Muslims about the meaning of a beard, according to Sharia, this issue is resolved very simply. It is known that in the countries of the Middle East, where these norms were introduced, men were subjected to a special examination for the presence of a beard. Moreover, it had to be strictly not less than the length of a clenched fist. Those who successfully passed the examination could be considered true believers. But to those who did not comply with the rules, fate was not so favorable. They were publicly beaten.
In some Taliban-controlled countries, the absence of a beard was punishable by deathexecution. This was announced publicly immediately after coming to power. As a warning, the Taliban blew up barbershops and issued individual warnings to barbers. In their statements, 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 the official religion is Islam, it is permissible for men to be in society without a beard. For example, in Turkey, a beard is considered a sunnah for adult men, but civil servants must 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 devout Muslim, and in many cases, on the contrary, arouses excessive interest in him from the forces of law and order.
Muslims with and without beards are treated equally in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. But more and more often in society, a person on whose face dense vegetation is noticeable is suspicious. What is it about?
Beard is the hallmark of a terrorist
Unfortunately, in the modern world, the attitude to the beard in Islam has changed significantly. She became associated with extremism and terrorism. After all, the majority of radical Muslims who commit bloody terrorist acts and conduct military operations in the Middle East have thick and long beards. Now such people cause fear, although Islam categorically opposeskilling innocent people.
Due to the changes in the world, many Muslim leaders are extremely positive about 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 beards 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 growing beards
Many muftis notice that a beard without a mustache is becoming a very fashionable attribute of today's Muslim youth. And such an attitude is always condemned by theologians, because in this case young people follow the path of least resistance. They consider themselves to be faithful Muslims who fulfill the precepts of the Prophet Muhammad, only through a beard. It seems to testify to the integrity of a person, which in most cases is not confirmed.
So some muftis are starting to talk about the right to wear a beard, which can only be earned. For example, the sermon of Ildar Zaganshin is known, who claims that only with the acquisition of a family at the age of thirty (at least) can one afford to grow a small beard. But at the age of sixty, a man has the right to let go of a long beard, symbolizing his wisdom and willingness to share his life experience.
Grow or shave: the eternal dilemma
Of course, it is difficult to unequivocally answer the question of whether a Muslim should grow a beard. After all, we have already shownhow multifaceted this problem is. But still, many consider it right to observe the precepts of the Prophet Muhammad and not oppose themselves to modern society. Therefore, men often allow themselves to wear a small and neat beard, which does not arouse suspicion among others. Perhaps this is the most correct and wise decision of a faithful Muslim.
