I have a question regarding the permissibility of braiding or plaiting one’s beard. Alhamdulillah, I have been able to maintain a beard in the tradition of the Prophet(saw), i.e. allowing it to grow while trimming the moustasche.
I was braiding my beard to encourage it to grow straight and for neatness. But I would like to confirm if this practice (braiding the beard) is sound in the light of the Sunnah.
Answer:
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh.
The Sunnah of Rasūlullāh (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was to frequently comb his beard in order to keep it straight.[1]
It is undesirable to tie the hair of the beard into braids or plaits.[2]
To straighten your beard, consider applying oil before combing. If you find that does not help, you may consider using a hair straightener.
And Allah Ta‘ālā Knows Best
Zameelur Rahman
Student Darul Iftaa
UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يكثر دهن رأسه وتسريح لحيته (شمائل الترمذي مع شرح الباجوري، ص١١٦)
[2] قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: أخبر الناس أنه من عقد لحيته…فإن محمدا منه بريء (بذل المجهود، دار الكتب العلمية، ج١ ص٩٢-٣)
Masā’il of the Hairs, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, p. 6