Q: My question is regarding cutting beard when it reaches length of one fist.
I have noticed there are scholars who say one should leave the beard and not cut it at all because there is no proper evidence. They say that the hadith of Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) tells about cutting the beard during hajj or umrah only. So that means that we cannot cut the beard during any other time. They also say that according to one hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu anhu), Nabi Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to cut the beard and leave the beard, i.e. don’t touch the beard.
While there are scholars who say that Imam Ahmed (rahimahullah) used to cut the beard when it reached the length of one fist and also gives proof of other righteous predecessors. So, is there any evidence that Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) used to cut his beard other than hajj or umrah and other Taabioon or 4 great Imaams did it?
A: All the aimmah are unanimous that the beard should be till a fist length. Imaam Shaafiee (rahmatullahi alaih) says that it should not be cut at all. Others agree that the fist length is the genuine requirement. The very fact that Ibnu Umar (radhiyallahu anhuma) used to cut after a fist length is enough evidence to show permissibility. Just as Nabi (salallahu alaihi wa sallam) had only shaved his hair at the time of Umrah or hajj, but taqseer and halq are permissible all the time.
And Allah Ta’ala (الله تعالى) knows best.
Answered by:
Mufti Ebrahim Salejee (Isipingo Beach)