KEEPING A BEARD

It is really unfortunate to note that the Sunnahs of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) are often neglected in favour of the way of life of the Kuffaar.

Each Sunnah that is left behind is replaced by a bid'ah (innovation), just as every bid'ah introduced into Islam eliminates a Sunnah. And bid'ah leads to hell.

Yet who does not know that the best way of life is that of Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam);

"There is definitely an excellent example in Allah's Rasul (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) for the one who fears Allah Ta'ala and the Last Day, and who remembers Allah Ta'ala abundantly." (33:21)

One shouts from all the rooftops about one's love for the Nabi-e-Kareem (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam). Do we really know that this love requires of ourselves a meticulous and perfect adherence to its teachings and principles? This is because Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) was sent by Allah Ta'ala as a light for all mankind! Are we going to let this light darken? No, since it is the duty of every Muslim to show his love for Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) by adopting his Sunnahs, although in our eyes they may seem trivial or difficult to practice. Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) taught us to practice certain things as opposed to the way others do things. Thus, letting the beard grow (the length of a fist) is an example.

It is said in a Hadith:

"Oppose the mushrikeen, let the beard grow and trim the moustache."

In another narration Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) said:

"Trim the moustache short and let the beard grow." (Bukhari and Muslim)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) also said:

"When you revive a Sunnah that has been neglected, it is as if one has been killed in the path of Allah (Shaheed)."

The Muslim should avoid believing that a beardless face is synonymous to beauty when it is said in a Hadith that a group of Malaa'ikah (Angels) are constantly engaged in the recitation of the following Tasbih:

"We glorify the One who has beautified man with the beard and we glorify the One who has beautified woman with long hair":

Isn't it time that we abandon the practices of the kuffaar when we now know the benefits of keeping the beard?

THE BENEFITS OF KEEPING THE BEARD INCLUDE:

1. It makes man beautiful.

2. It improves eyesight while shaving deteriorates it.

3. It gives the one who keeps it a serious look and commands respect.

4. It is one of the signs by which one recognises a Muslim, that is, it is one of the symbols of Islam.

[English version of "Le port de la barbe" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 3]