BLOG 108 - Status of the BEARD

[Dr. Shabbir]

THE STATUS OF THE BEARD

January 27th, 2008 by Dr. Shabbir

Q: After having an interview with the ISNA President Dr. Ingrid Mattson, a few good men have asked me to confirm whether Muslim men are religiously bound to grow beards. They had been told that the beard is a Sunnah muakkada of the exalted Prophet. [Sunnah muakkada = A tradition that is obligatory for Muslims to follow]

A: Nay! It was a part of the Arab culture even before the exalted prophet. Then, the most vehement Qureshite enemies of Islam, Abu Jahl, Abi Lahab, Waleed bin ‘Atbah, ‘Aaas bin Waael, ‘Atbah bin Rabee’, Waleed bin Mugheerah as well as Jews and Christians of Arabia all kept beards.

Think of the men who, for racial or other reasons, cannot grow beards. Most importantly, keeping beard is not ordained anywhere in the Quran.

A lifelong student