KEEPING A BEARD

It is very sad to note the attitude of many Muslims towards the keeping of beards. Some people even express disgust at this practice and dare to make fun of those who are bearded. To justify shaving the beard, they claim that keeping a beard is not necessary because it is only a Sunnah (which can be dispensed with). They pretend to ignore the fact that shaving their beards makes them look more feminine than masculine and it seems that they never became aware of the disgust that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) felt towards those who did not keep beards.

The following is a brief account of an incident that took place in the time of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) and which explains the attitude of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) towards those who shave their beards.

One day Khusru Parwez, the king of Iran (Kis'ra) sent a group of officers to study and investigate the life of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). When two of these officers came to Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam), the latter noticed that they did not keep beards and had very large moustaches. The Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) showed his disgust and displeasure and asked; "Who told you to make your face look like this?" They replied, "Our Lord Kis'ra" (They used to call their king Kis'ra "Lord - Rabb"). Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) replied, "My Lord (Allah) has commanded me to grow my beard and trim my moustache."

It should be noted here that although these two officers were not Muslims, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) was displeased. We can now imagine how Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) feels towards those who claim to love him but who disregard this Sunnah.

Being a cause for laughter or an object of mockery from a few fools should not be a concern for those who are sincere towards the Prophet (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam). What should be their concern, however, is to obtain the intercession of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam).

After death, the face of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu, 'Alaihi Wasallam) will be presented to us. May Allah preserve us, if at this moment of need, and having the hope that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) will intercede on our behalf, he sees a face or appearance that is not in accordance with his Sunnah and turns his back on us. How unfortunate will we be then?

[English version of "Le port de la barbe" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 5]