how come everyone goes on at women to wear hijab wen no one mentions bout guys and how there should grow beard, is’nt that in islam
From http://www.understanding-islam.com/ri/mi-109.htm
Question:
A few days ago I asked you about the subject of growing beard. You stated that the matter was not directly addressed in either the Qur’an or the Sunnah. Today, I came across the same topic in the English translation of the Yusuf al-Qaradawi’s book “The Lawful and the prohibited in Islam”(printed in Malaysia 1995). There , on pg. 94. it states: "The growing of the beard is also related to our topic. Al-Bukhari, on the authority of Ibn 'Omar , reported the Prophet (peace be on him) as saying:
“Be different from the polytheists (mushrikeen): let the beard grow and trim the moustache”.
The book, however does not state the exact reference number of the above mentioned saying. Your comment on this would be highly appreciated. Wessalam.
brother Ismail
Answer:
In our previous response to a question regarding the growing of a beard, Mr. Amar Ellahi Lone had stated that the growing of a beard is related to the nature of man (as distinct from a woman). He wrote:
Allah has created man with hair on his face, which is the single most prominent difference between the face of a man and a woman. This difference should show from a man’s face. Because Islam is a religion, which encourages its followers to preserve the nature on which Allah has created them, therefore, in the light of this simple principle, all those things which are part of human nature must be followed or preserved even though they are not mentioned in the Shari`ah. Thus, it is because of this reason that a man should keep beard.
In view of the explanation, it may be derived that in our opinion, growing a beard, because it is a part of man’s nature, belongs to a more basic category of directives than the Shari`ah.
Keeping the above explanation in perspective, if we closely study the cited narrative ascribed to the Prophet (pbuh), we see that it is actually not a directive to grow beards, but a directive regarding the style of these beards. The opening sentence of this narrative: “Be different from the polytheists”, is a clear indication of the fact that the directive that follows relates not to the growing of the beard but to the style of the beard grown. Suppose the Prophet (pbuh) had said: “Be different from the polytheists. Wear clothes that are not pompous in their colors”. It would have been obvious that the directive related not to the wearing of clothes, but to the color of the clothes worn. In the same way, the cited narrative does not, actually, entail a directive for ‘growing beards’. On the contrary, it is a directive regarding the style of the beards grown.
An understanding of the background of this directive is also pertinent. The directive relates to the time when the Prophet (pbuh) and his companions were directed by the Qur’an to take action against the polytheists. It was basically under these circumstances that the Muslims were directed to adopt a distinctive attire and appearance so that they are not mistaken for the polytheists, against whom an action was being planned. Seen in this perspective, it should be clear that the directive entailed in the narrative is of a temporary nature rather than a part of the permanent Islamic Shari`ah.
I hope this helps. In case any aspect of my answer remains unclear, please feel free in writing back to me, at your own convenience.
May Allah guide us all to the path of His liking.
My fondest regards to you and those around you.
The Learner
They shoot partypoopers, don’t they?
The two cannot be equated boley bale larki.Hijab or pardah is fard upon women but the beard is a sunnah at best.i.e. it is not a fard.So there cannot be the same degree of emphasis on both.
The reply posted by Mr.partypooper is also interesting.
if im correct, an imam should also have a prayer in order to lead prayer
[quote]
Originally posted by X_Communist:
if im correct, an imam should also have a prayer in order to lead prayer
[/quote]
I assume that you meant to say that "an imam should also have a beard in order to lead prayer".
There is nothing in the Qur'an or any Sahih ahadith (narratives of the sayings) of the Prophet (PBUH) that says that a person, without a beard cannot lead a prayer. Thus, if the Prophet has not made it a necessary condition, how can anyone else make it one?
They shoot partypoopers, don't they?
[This message has been edited by Mr Partypooper (edited December 24, 2000).]
Re: Leading of prayer. I agree that having a beard is not a requirement for leading the prayer, rather the most capable and pious muslim in the group should lead the prayer. This is comparative and relative.
Re: Beard itself. Partypooper, the reply you provided does not give an answer. It created a new question and then responded to that question... After reading the response of 'The Learner' I am no more knowledgable, whether he is suggesting that growing a beard falls in which category... Is it
- fard
- Mandooh, or
- Mustahib
It is not only a 'Sunnah', rather it is a 'zahiri sunnah', meaning it is something the Prophet (SAWW) did (i.e. grew a beard), it is what all the prophets (RA) did, it is what all the sahaba (SRA) did... Every single muslim imam had a beard. All muslim scholars worth their salt had a beard. Can you dispute any of this?
Makes you think, there must be a reason for that, no?
The reason as forwarded by muslim scholars is that there is no concept of a muslim man without a beard.
Now, in recent times, we, the muslim men, have grown vain. We do not like hair on our faces. We like the clean-cut looks propagated by the western media. We want to look attractive. It might be for our own vanity or for attracting the opposite sex. Therefore, we try to find excuses for our behaviour.
These excuses can be of various types. The most bash is that since we do not follow Sunnah in 101 other things, so we might as well skip this one too. The more embarrased amongst us, suggest a skin allergy and itching. The argumentive type, say "Show us anywhere in Quran that growing a beard is fard. Unless it is fard, don't expect us to grow one". These are the same people who say that no where in Quran it is written that drinking wine is 'haraam'. For them the direct order of the Prophet (SAWW) is not so important, rather the clean-cut chiseled cheek-bone is more to-the-point.
Ok... so this much is clear.
Please, if you don't want to grow a beard, be it. Don't do it. You are independant people, free of will and can do whatever you want.
But for God's sake do not muddy the very basics of the orders of our Prophet (SAWW), by clouding it in mirade and obscure arguments.
Pristine, as far as my understanding is concerned ( which is not much ) is that “The Learner” says that it is desirable to have a beard. As far as I know there are broadly, five categories of Do’s and Don’ts in Islam:
i.‘Fard’ i.e. compulsory or obligatory.
ii.‘Mustahab’ i.e. recommended or encouraged.
iii.‘Mubah’ i.e. permissible or allowed.
iv.‘Makruh’ i.e. not recommended or discouraged.
v.‘Haraam’ i.e. prohibited or forbidden.
There is no clear directive that I know of which prohibits it. Furthermore, there is no clear directive in the Shar’iah which has made it obligatory. It is actually a case of deciding its desirability or undesirability, and in so doing there may arise a difference of opinion between two or more scholars. The reason why it is desirable is given in the above reply where it is said that:
Allah has created man with hair on his face, which is the single most prominent difference between the face of a man and a woman. This difference should show from a man’s face. Because Islam is a religion, which encourages its followers to preserve the nature on which Allah has created them, therefore, in the light of this simple principle, all those things which are part of human nature must be followed or preserved even though they are not mentioned in the Shari`ah. Thus, it is because of this reason that a man should keep beard.
To answer your specific question, according to the Learner, it would appear that growing a beard would fall under the category of Mustahab. I do not know what is Mandooh. Sorry.
The only thing that The Learner was trying to point out in his reply by saying that no-one has the jurisdiction to say something is halal or haram, except Allah(swt) and his Last Apostle (pbuh). Otherwise it amounts to bid’ah.
Some other scholars, including Sheikh Riyad Ul Haq of the London Shariah Institute, are of the opinion that it is wajib to keep a beard. I apolgise for not being able to back this up since I heard this on one of his tapes.
After reading that section, I felt as I was being told off.
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
Pristine, I am not trying to cloud this issue. In fact, I am trying to do the opposite. All I am asking is what does the Qur’an and Sunnah say about it. Simple as that. After that has been established then, of course, we are able to see the issue of the beard in its proper context. And thats how it should be… isn’t it? Am I wrong?
When you said that if you don’t want to grow a beard, then don’t, I felt that you were misreading my motives. I myself do keep a beard. So I am not looking for excuses. If I gave the picture that I was, I apologise.
They shoot partypoopers, don’t they?
Hijab is farz and beard is sunnah… simple as that… so there no reason how a women can come in and say “well if u dont have a beard ur not following islam…” whereas a man can say “without hijab … ur not following islam…”.
simple as that Girls…
BTW I have beard at times… too lazy to shave..
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/wink.gif
“Dont ask what Pakistan can do for you, Ask what YOU can do for Pakistan!”
IF GUYS KEEP BEARD 4 A WHILE (CAUSE HE'S TOO LAZY TO SHAVE IT OUR WAT EVA) IS'NT IT AGAINST OUR RELIGION TO SHAVE IT LATZ
IS'NT IT U EITHER SHOULD'NT KEEP BEARD IN THE 1ST PLACE, IF U DO U SHOULD'NT SHAVE IT
And what is mandooh?Sorry never heard the term before.
**
Then you agree sir that it is sunnah?hmm?
**
And your point here is what sir?So is beard the only thing common among these great people?If not what are the other things.And are those things fard or sunnah?Is there no concept of a muslim man without them either??
Every muslim knows that there are certain categories of Islamic ‘Ihkam’.i.e.Fard,Wajib,Sunnah etc.
And that’s all I pointed out.
Perhaps there is a reason for such division too?hmmm?
**
Bash ok but is this a sunnah to begin with?Afterall sunnahs are there to be followed.Or aren’t they?So do YOU follow them?
**
Which direct order?BTW wine being haram is mentioned in the Quran.Didn’t you know?
**
With this for a change I agree
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
.Though I found ‘the learner’s’ reponse interesting I didn’t agree with it.
You see while reading your reply just like Mr.Partypooper I felt I was being told off and hence this reply.
BTW I do keep a beard myself.But fact remains it is not a fardh.And this thread started by comparing it with hijaab for women.Could you please offer your views on that comparison?
Lastly,
**
Really?You agree with this?So there can be pious muslims without beards then?hmmm.
BTW do you know of any criterea where a person would not be allowed to lead prayers?
Do women’s prayer even get accepted without proper hijab?
[This message has been edited by Ahmed (edited December 24, 2000).]
"we, the muslim men, have grown vain. We do not like hair on our faces. We like the clean-cut looks propagated by the western media. We want to look attractive. It might be for our own vanity or for attracting the opposite sex. Therefore, we try to find excuses for our behaviour"
Speak for yourself! BTW who cares if you have a beard or wear a hijab or not!? Let Allah deal with that. Only He knows best.
You people waste time arguing about the stupidest things (to argue about)! How many of you live productive lives? How many of you are constructive members of society who make a positive impact on the lives around you?
(Now watch some of you are gonna get after me for calling these things stupid.)
[This message has been edited by waqas72 (edited December 24, 2000).]
For me, something which the Prophet (SAWW) ordered us to do (the words in Bukhari, are infact an order), doesn’t require anything more. I don’t offer excuses. I don’t go after Quran to say “See, its not there”. I don’t say, so its a Sunnah, and its not fard, so its ‘optional’. I don’t say “Ok, if I have a beard I will get more sawaab, and so I am willing to give up that sawaab, because it is NOT FARD”. Sorry for being blunt, but these are all excuses.
If any muslim scholar says that growing a beard is “optional” - I am sorry, but personally I won’t trust that scholar any more. Ofcourse, you folks go ahead and decide for yourselves. After all this is a free world!
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/wink.gif
For those of you who want some extra proof, go ahead, and look for it. Till you find one, sure, shave every morning, and admire your clean-cut featrures
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
There was a time, when I used to have elaborate discusions with some of my collegues on this issue, beard. But now I don’t care anymore. Those who don’t want to have beard will invariably find 101 excuses and taweels. They will inevitably find a way to try and prove that it is “JUST A SUNNAH” and “NOT FARD”, hence we won’t have it.
So be it.
What should I care, or what should you care? Our responsibility is to convey the message and the order of the Prophet (SAWW). Everyone has a right to make their own decisions. And after all, each of us, will be responsible for our own deeds. Ofcourse, my and your job is to provide guidance whereever we can. Then the other person is free to follow it or not.
Re: Wine… its a separate discussion. You and I know it is forbidden. But for those who want to find excuses, will always come back and tell you that in Quran wine is not said a “haraam” - i.e. the exact word “haraam” is not used for intoxicants. The actual wordings for complete prohibition for intoxicants is 5:90 "O you who believe! Intoxicants, gambling, AlAnsâb, and AlAzlâm are an abomination of Shaitân’s (Satan) handiwork. So avoid (strictly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful].. How can it be more severe then the way Quran equated intoxicants with Al-Azlam (similar to shirk) - the worst of all gunnah? But those who want to find excuses, will just keep on doing so. They are blind, and thus we should not waste too much time on them.
As far as the last question, the difference between hijaab and beard… the exact wordings for hijaab are in 24:31. The order for beard is in Ahadith (Bukhari). If you feel the order of the Prophet (SAWW) is less important, then yes, there is a difference. But for those who have wisdom and have also read 2:151 - there is no excuse!
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
Best of luck!
Pristine, I respect your opinion. What I don't appreciate is that you seem to carry the idea that all other opinions other than your own are just some form of an invalid excuse. I have given you my view. It is based on a scholar's opinion. It is one that I feel comfortable with. I hope you can see where I am coming from.
[quote]
Originally posted by Pristine:
**
If any muslim scholar says that growing a beard is "optional" - I am sorry, but personally I won't trust that scholar any more.
**
[/quote]
I was confused by this. What do you expect a scholar who bases his opinion on the Qur'an and Sunnah to say? That it is "fard"?
I really don't understand why your first reply was so hostile to me? I really felt that you were giving me the lowdown. Why? I know that you have said a few times before about me is that I seem to be a "liberal" muslim as opposed to a conservative muslim. Where did this "liberal" thing come from? I do my best to base my opinions directly on the Qur'an and Sunnah with the help of a teacher who I respect a lot. Does that automatically put my intentions and actions under the category of "suspicious"?
At the end of the day, Islam is based on the Qur'an and Sunnah. I know you agree with that. You and I both know that the sole source of the Shariah is the Prophet (pbuh). The teachings of the Prophet (pbuh), which form the Shariah, have been transmitted to us through the Qur’an and the Sunnah. Anything or any idea, which is not backed by a clear directive entailed in the Qur’an and the Sunnah cannot be included in the corpus of the Shari`ah.
Keeping the above point in perspective, it should be clear if something is not clearly mad obligatory by the Shariah, it can then fall anywhere between "lawful" or "allowed" and "disliked" and "haram", but it can not be termed as obligatory. The case of growing a beard, as the scholar sees it, has not been expressly made obligatory by the Shariah and due to this reason, no one has the authority to declare it to be "fard". This is precisely what I have expressed in my reply. However, if you feel that there is, on the contrary, an express directive of the Shari`ah, which clearly makes grwing and keeping a beard obligatory upon every Muslim, kindly guide me to it. You shall, insha’Allah, find the scholar absolutely open to all revisions in his opinion in the light of any truth that comes my way.
Nevertheless, if you expect me to revise my opinion in the light of the opinions of Muslim scholars or imams, then I am afraid I will not be able to meet your expectations. My allegiance is not with the opinion of the Muslim scholars – and I am sure neither is yours. On the contrary, my allegiance is only with the directives of God and His messenger.
I honestly feel that you still are misreading my motives. I think that the level of this discussion is such that we cannot learn anything from each other on this issue.
They shoot partypoopers, don't they?
[This message has been edited by Mr Partypooper (edited December 25, 2000).]
First of all, perish the thought that what I have written is directed against you or someone else in particular. My comments are addressed to those who make it a habit to offer “taweel” in order to find ways of avoiding what is prescribed in the deen by Allah and the Prophet (SAWW).
I remain deeply impressed by your quest for knoweledge and you understanding of various issues. At the same time, I must confess, that I tend to follow the classical scholars of Islam, in obtaining knoweldge about issues. With due respect, the site understanding-islam.com, generally provides a more, how can I say it, unconventional interpretation of islamic rulings.
Can I suggest that you also cross-check some of the answers provided by a more experienced scholar? The site which I trust (and you are free to refer to any other site) is www.islam-qa.com. Here the answers are provided by Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid, a known Islamic lecturer and author.
Here are a few excerpts from this site. The first is on neglecting “Sunnah”
The next is the ruling on “beard”.
I hope this helps. Yet again, may I remind once again that you or anyone else is free to do whatever you wish. You are free to consult or accept any opinion you want. These are just the opinions which I find more credible.
… & Allah Knows Best.
http://www3.pak.org/gupshup/smilies/smile.gif
[This message has been edited by Pristine (edited December 25, 2000).]*
Pristine... thank you kindly. I will go through the islam-qa.com articles.
They shoot partypoopers, don't they?
If it had been my own personal opinion, I wouldn’t even be posting it here. I know that in religious matters, I’d rather keep my own opinions to myself. Unfortunately, in this matter, the opinion, which I posted, is the one which is provided by a majority of scholars. If it is wrong, due to whatever reason, then, I am sorry.
All muslim scholars tend to base their opinion on Quran and Sunnah. This is indeed a vast field, and anyone can make a mistake in interpreting the fiqha. I have already provided the opinion of another scholar which suggests that growing beard is different from ordinary sunnah.
This is a misconception. Indeed I do not believe that there is a distinction between muslims like ‘liberal’ or ‘conservative’. You are either a muslim or you are not. What I have, however, said, is that the opinions expressed by the website which you refer, are usually different from the ones offered by classical scholars of Islam. This in no way disputes the fact that you really work hard in researching an issue and providing opinion.
This is true from all muslim students. I don’t know about your intellectual level, maybe you have sufficient knoweldge to derive islamic rulings directly by reading Quran and Ahadith. I have seen on many instances, that there are so many nuances in deriving islamic rulings that a simple reading of isolated verses of quran and ahadith is not enough. You need to have a deeper understanding of the complete set of islamic rules to provide an authentic response. It is for this reason that for issues, I, or indeed everyone, must turn to an authentic islamic scholar who has more knowledge that our own. Does it mean that the scholar is deriving his own fiqha..? No. It just means that this person has more knoweldge of Quran and Ahaidth to guide us to the correct meaning of a particulat ayat or hadith or a solution to a particular issue.
I don’t want to come across as hostile on Islamic issues. As I have said repeatedly, we are all free to live our lives as we deem proper. Our responsibility is to provide valid, references islamic responses. What a person choses to do with them is entirely between them and Allah Ta’lla.
However, I have no wish to engage in elaborate discussions on such topics, which in a broader picture, are perhaps not as important as some other issues facing the ummah. It is for this reason, that I hope, you will agree, that since now I have provided you all the responses you requested, with website references, and my own point of view, no further communication from my end is required, unless you come up with a question, where you feel I must respond to clarify a point I have already made.
I thank you, and all others, for providing an opportunity to discuss this issue. Your opinions, whether concuring or opposing, provide a fresh insight. This issue may seem inane to some, but it provides us an opportunity on the examine the methodology to define islamic sharia.
Good luck!
Pristine,
Thanks very much for posting the response of the scholar that you did.It helps.I am never averse to changing my opinion about anything if I feel that arguments in the favour of an opinion are good and strong.And so I appreciate your post.I felt it did give good and strong arguments.Infact I always thought that keeping a beard was very important for a muslim man and that opinion of mine was based on these same arguments.
But the thing is that I have had the oppurtunity of listening to more than one scholar on this issue 'with these arguments in mind' and they did not all maintain it being a strict fardh.Why would scholars do that?They are not unaware of ahadith you know.And they were not liberals I can assure you.
This is the reason that I cannot be convinced (yet) just by reading that reply of this being a fardh.However I may after doing a bit more research upon it.So thanks for providing that Oppurtunity.
Personally I think there are many other aspacts of this that have not been discussed and I think they have a bearing on the issue but I don't really want to take this discussion any further as we have all said our piece.
I am not looking for any excuses here as I mentioned earlier that I keep a beard myslef and personally I normally tend to follow traditional Islam too.
But I am always more interested in 'content' of an opinion and thus I particularly apreciate your words "but it provides us an opportunity on the examine the methodology to define islamic sharia."
That's the only reason for my participation too and I think it is on that basis that I am not 'yet' convinced of your opinion.
Alhamdulillah, I have a beard and I love it because our beloved Prophet (PBUH) had beard, He (PBUH) disliked the men without beard. This is enough reason for men to have beards. Why get into discussions about fard and what ever else regarding beards when we do not even fullfill the basics of Islam which we know are fard. Personally I will disregard any so-called scholars who are controversial and hold opposite view from the majority of great Islamic scholars in different matters. It is against the spirit of our DEEN to follow selective Islam to justify our present life style and follow our whims and desires rather then the truth. There is a Hadeeth of Prophet (PBUH)it more or less goes like this that this Ummah will have 73 sects and all but one will go to hellfire, when asked which one will enter paradise, Prophet (PBUH) said the main body.
[This message has been edited by Musalman (edited December 25, 2000).]
The weakest hadith I have heard is that a man should have some hair on his face.
Hmmmm,
Cooldude which hadith are you refferring to and how do you know it's weak?