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
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?
◈ 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.
◈ 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).
The Prophet ﷺ said:
"Let the beard grow."
◈ Going against this is a direct violation of his command.
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):
➌ Imām Aḥmad (رحمه الله):
✔ Shaving the hair below the throat or trimming beard beyond the handful is permissible.
(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
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)
✔ 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.
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.
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
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
✔ 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).
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)
✔ 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
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
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
