14 Shar‘i Guidelines on Beard, Cheeks, and Chin Hair (ʿAnfaqah) — In Light of Islamic Teachings
Source: Fatāwā al-Dīn al-Khāliṣ, Vol. 1, Page 427
❖ Question:
If it is impermissible to cut the hair below the lower lip (ʿanfaqah), then is it permissible to trim or pluck the side hairs of the beard, moustache edges, or other facial hair?
✿ ① Definition and Ruling of ʿAnfaqah (Hair Beneath Lower Lip):
◈ The ʿanfaqah refers to the hair that grows below the lower lip.
✔ These hairs are part of the beard and therefore should not be removed.
✿ ② Ruling on Cheek and Side Hairs:
◈ The hairs around the cheeks, especially those aligned with the ears or jawline, are also considered part of the beard.
✔ Trimming or plucking them is not permissible.
✔ Lexicographers have included these areas in the definition of “liḥyah” (beard).
✿ ③ Clear Prophetic Command:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Let the beard grow.”
◈ Going against this is a direct violation of his command.
✿ ④ Statements of Scholars & Jurists:
➊ Ḥāshiyah of Nayl al-Awṭār (1/143):
Imām Aḥmad ibn Ḥanbal (رحمه الله) was asked about removing facial hair. He said:
“There is no harm for women; but for men, it is disliked (makrūh).”
➋ al-Majmūʿ (1/29), Imām al-Ghazālī (رحمه الله):
- Reducing the beard, whether little or more, is disliked.
- Shaving some beard while shaving the head is makrūh.
- Plucking beard hairs from the cheeks is makrūh.
- No form of alteration should be made.
➌ Imām Aḥmad (رحمه الله):
✔ Shaving the hair below the throat or trimming beard beyond the handful is permissible.
✿ ⑤ Prohibited Practices Related to Beard (Makrūh Characteristics):
(Cited from: Iḥyāʾ al-ʿUlūm 1/245, al-Majmūʿ 1/291, Sharḥ Muslim 1/129, Nayl al-Awṭār 1/143)
❌ Applying black dye to deceive
❌ Intentionally turning beard white using sulfur etc., to appear elderly and gain praise
❌ Plucking newly grown beard hairs to appear younger or more attractive
❌ Plucking white hairs
❌ Excessive styling of beard to attract women
❌ Altering the natural structure of the beard
❌ Leaving the beard messy for a false display of piety
❌ Twisting or tying the beard unnaturally
❌ Gazing at one’s beard vainly to take pride in youth or old age
✿ ⑥ Hadith Against Tying the Beard:
Narrated by Rufayʿ ibn Thābit (رضي الله عنه):
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Whoever ties his beard, wears a string necklace (for amulet), or uses dung or bone for cleansing, then Muhammad ﷺ has nothing to do with him.”
(Abū Dāwūd)
✿ ⑦ Shaving for Women:
✔ If a woman grows a beard, she is permitted to remove it.
✔ Applying yellow color for mere resemblance is not Sunnah unless done with intention of following the Sunnah.
✿ ⑧ Excessive Grooming:
The Prophet ﷺ said:
“We were prohibited from excessive luxury and indulgence.”
(al-Nasāʾī 8/185, Ḥadīth 5239)
✔ For example, combing the beard after every wuḍū’, as done by some Sufis, is discouraged.
✿ ⑨ Shar‘ī and Linguistic Definition of the Beard:
Shāh Walīullāh Dehlawī (رحمه الله) in Masāʾil al-Liḥyah (p. 29):
✔ Length-wise: From below the lower lip (ʿanfaqah) to under the chin
✔ Width-wise: Hair on cheeks and temples that extend under the jawbone
✿ ⑩ Linguistic Support:
➊ Lisān al-ʿArab (Ibn Sīda):
✔ Beard includes hair on cheeks and chin
➋ Tāj al-ʿArūs and al-Qāmūs al-Muḥīṭ:
✔ Defined beard as hair that grows on both sides of the face and chin
✿ ⑪ Shar‘ī Conclusion:
✔ Qur’an and Hadith instruct:
“وَفِّرُوا اللِّحَى” — Let the beards grow
✔ Thus, preserving its natural form is commanded.
✔ Any form of alteration is considered prohibited (ḥarām).
✿ ⑫ Refutation of Incorrect Views:
❌ The claim that shaving cheek hair is permissible is invalid — as seen in Tātārkhāniyyah
❌ Likewise, trimming beard hairs is also not permitted — Ref: Adillah Taḥrīm Ḥalq al-Liḥyah (p. 83)
✿ ⑬ Moustache Edges (Sibālīn):
✔ Leaving them untrimmed is permissible — practiced by ʿUmar ibn al-Khaṭṭāb (رضي الله عنه)
✔ Trimming them is also allowed
Reported by Imām al-Bayhaqī from Ibn ʿUmar (رضي الله عنه) — Ref: Adillah Taḥrīm al-Liḥyah, p. 73
✿ ⑭ Summary of 14 Shar‘i Guidelines:
① ʿAnfaqah hair (below lower lip) is part of beard — not to be removed
② Cheek and jawline hairs also belong to beard — must be preserved
③ Obeying the command to grow the beard is obligatory
④ Trimming facial hair for men is disliked
⑤ Altering natural beard structure is makrūh or ḥarām
⑥ Plucking white or early beard hairs is prohibited
⑦ Tying, twisting, or playing with beard in vanity is forbidden
⑧ Women may remove beard growth
⑨ Excessive grooming of beard discouraged
⑩ Beard includes chin, jawline, and cheeks linguistically and Sharʿan
⑪ Any alteration to beard’s natural form is ḥarām
⑫ Cheek hair shaving is not allowed
⑬ Trimming moustache edges is permissible
⑭ Following the Companions’ practice is mandatory
ھٰذا ما عندي، واللہ أعلم بالصواب
