Will our Salaah be valid if we pray behind a person who trims/shaves their beard? Also does the same rule apply to Huffaadh?
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
At the outset, it is Waajib (compulsory) for a Muslim male to grow a beard. It is also Waajib to let the beard grow a fist length. It is Makruh Tahrimi (near Haraam) to cut or shave the beard. A person who shaves his beard or trims it beyond one fist length is a Faasiq (sinner).[1]
The position of an Imam including Huffadh leading Taraweeh is a sacred one that brings with it great responsibilities. An Imam is a representative of the people between them and Allah.[2] The validity of the peoples Salah rest upon him. Therefore, Taqwa and Allah consciousness of an Imam is vital. This is also understood in the following Ahadith; Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alahi Wa Sallam) said,
إنْ سَرَّكُمْ أَنْ يَقْبَلَ اللَّهُ صَلَاتَكُمْ فَلْيَؤُمَّكُمْ خِيَارُكُمْ فَإِنَّهُمْ وَفْدُكُمْ فِيمَا بَيْنَكُمْ وَبَيْنَ رَبِّكُم (البحر الرائق (1/ 370) أخرج الحاكم في مستدركه)
If you desire that Allah accepts your Salah then the best from amongst should be the Imam, for verily he is your delegation between you and Allah.(Bahrur Raiq with reference to Mustadrak Alhakim)
In another Hadith Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alahi Wa Sallam) said,
الإِمَامُ ضَامِنٌ
“The Imam is responsible (for the Salah of the followers) (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 207)
Only a person who adheres to the Shari’ah and Sunnah is best suited for the position of an Imam. It is quite daring to assume the position of being an Imam while violating the laws and clear prohibitions of Shari’ah. The Imam being a representative should have the greatest Taqwa and adherence of Shari’ah to make the best representation of the Salah of his congregation.
If there is any defect in the religious conduct of the Imam, this will negatively impact on the Salah of the followers[3]. That is why the Fuqaha have stated that it is Makrooh for a Faasiq (sinner) to be the Imam.
Keeping the beard contrary to the Sunnah method opposes the sanctity and importance of the post of an Imam. One who does so is a Faasiq and it is necessary for him to repent and to grow his beard to the required length.
Thus, the trustees of the Masjid must ensure that the Imam adheres to Shari’ah in every aspect and one shaves or trims his beard should not be made the Imam. If there is such an Imam who goes against the laws of Shari’ah, then one should pray his Salah in another Masjid.
However, if one does pray behind a person that trims his beard, the Salah will be valid. The defect of the Salah of the congregation due to the Imams negligence and violations of Shari’ah will rest on him.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Arshad Ali
Student Darul Iftaa
Trinidad
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] الدر المختار وحاشية ابن عابدين (رد المحتار) (2/ 418)
وَيُؤَيِّدُهُ مَا فِي مُسْلِمٍ عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَنْهُ – صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ – «جُزُّوا الشَّوَارِبَ وَاعْفُوا اللِّحَى خَالِفُوا الْمَجُوسَ» فَهَذِهِ الْجُمْلَةُ وَاقِعَةٌ مَوْقِعَ التَّعْلِيلِ، وَأَمَّا الْأَخْذُ مِنْهَا وَهِيَ دُونَ ذَلِكَ كَمَا يَفْعَلُهُ بَعْضُ الْمَغَارِبَةِ، وَمُخَنَّثَةُ الرِّجَالِ فَلَمْ يُبِحْهُ أَحَدٌ اهـ مُلَخَّصًا.
Wujoob I’efaaul-lihyah of Shaykhul Hadith, Ml. Muhammad Zakariyyah
مرفوعا إن سركم أن يقبل الله صلاتكم فليؤمكم خياركم فإنهم وفدكم فيما بينكم وبين ربكم
[3] المحيط البرهاني في الفقه النعماني (1/ 407)
ومن صلى خلف فاسق أو مبتدع يكون محرزاً ثواب الجماعة، قال عليه السلام: «صلوا خلف كل بر وفاجر» ، أما لا ينال ثواب من يصلي خلف تقي المذكور في قوله عليه السلام: «من صلى خلف تقي عالم فكأنما صلى خلف نبي