• 🌟 Support the Mission of Spreading Authentic Islamic Knowledge 🌟

    Tohed.com is dedicated to sharing the pure teachings of Islam based on the Qur’an & Sunnah.

    📦 Your donation = Sadaqah Jariyah!

    “The most beloved of deeds to Allah are those that are most consistent, even if small.” – Bukhari

Appointing a Clean-Shaven Person as a Permanent Imam

Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani حفظه الله

❀ Question:​

Our mosque’s Imam trims his beard and it is shorter than a fist-length. Is it permissible to pray behind him? And what is the ruling on appointing such a person as a permanent Imam?

✔ Answer:​

A mosque Imam should be someone who:
Adheres strictly to Shari‘ah,
Lives according to the Qur’an and Sunnah,
✔ Is most knowledgeable in Islamic teachings.

❖ Ruling on the Beard:​

Keeping a beard is obligatory upon every Muslim man. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded:

"Be different from the polytheists—grow your beards and trim your moustaches."
[Bukhari, Book of Dress, Hadith 5893]


Another narration states:
"Trim the moustaches thoroughly and grow the beards."

The Prophet ﷺ himself had a full, thick beard. He never shaved or trimmed it, nor did he command anyone to do so.

Hence, obeying the Prophet ﷺ is obligatory, and the mosque Imam must maintain a full beard.

One who shaves or trims the beard is regarded as a faasiq (open sinner). Therefore:
➤ Such a person should not be appointed as a permanent Imam.

❖ Prayer Validity:​

If he happens to lead the prayer occasionally, the prayer remains valid,
→ because it is agreed upon that prayer behind a faasiq is valid, though not ideal.

🕊 Advice:​

The mosque management should:

Gently advise the Imam to keep a proper beard,
✔ If he refuses to comply, seek a suitable and righteous replacement,
✔ Make decisions with wisdom and avoid causing any fitnah or discord within the community.
 
Back
Top