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Definition, Limits, and Rulings of the Beard in the Light of Shariah

Source: Fatawa Ulama-e-Hadith, Kitab al-Salat, Volume 1

✦ Definition​

The beard refers to the hair that grows on both cheeks and the chin.

Ibn Manzur رحمه الله states:
"اللحية اسم جامع يجمع من الشعر ما نبت على الخدين و الذقن"

“The term 'beard' comprehensively refers to the hair that grows on the cheeks and the chin.”
(Lisan al-Arab: 15/243)

Limits of the Beard

The beard's hair extends from the elevated bone adjacent to the ear canal to the end of the face.
This includes the hair growing along the edges of the cheeks and jaws, known as "al-‘adhār".
It is not permissible to shave or pluck these hairs, as they are considered part of the beard.

◈ Explanation by Shaykh Muhammad ibn Salih al-‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله​

Regarding the definition of the beard and al-liḥyah:

The hair extending from the bone next to the ear canal and along the edges of the cheeks and jaws up to the end of the face is part of the beard.

Al-Qāmūs al-Muḥīṭ states:
"اللحية: شعر الخدين و الذقن"
“The beard is the hair of the cheeks and the chin.”
(Al-Qāmūs al-Muḥīṭ: 4/387)

✦ Issue Regarding the Hair of the Cheeks​

Those who claim that the hair on the cheeks is not part of the beard must provide evidence for their assertion.

Shaykh al-‘Uthaymeen رحمه الله said:
“Yes, both cheeks are indeed included in the beard because the language in which the Shariah was revealed necessitates this.”

✦ Relationship Between Shariah and Language​

Allah Almighty says:
"إِنّا أَنزَلنـٰهُ قُر‌ء‌ٰنًا عَرَ‌بِيًّا لَعَلَّكُم تَعقِلونَ"
“Indeed, We have revealed it as an Arabic Qur’an so that you may understand.”
(Surah Yusuf: 2)

In Islamic Shariah, the Arabic language holds a fundamental position. If there is no specifically established Shariah definition for the beard, the linguistic definition remains valid.

✦ Application of the Linguistic Definition​

The linguistic definition of the beard encompasses:

The hair growing on the jaws, cheeks, and alongside the ear canal.

Fath al-Bari states:
“It is the name for the hair that grows on the cheeks and the chin.”
(Fath al-Bari: 10/35)

Issue of the Hair on the Neck

The hair that grows below the neck is not included in the beard.

Imam Ahmad رحمه الله said:
“There is no harm in removing the hair below the throat.”
(Al-Insaf: 1/250)

Shaykh Muhammad al-Saffarini said:
“The established view is that there is no prohibition in removing the hair below the throat.”
(Ghidhā’ al-Albāb Sharh Manẓūmat al-Ādāb: 1/433)

❀ Conclusion​

✔ All hair growing on the cheeks, chin, and alongside the ear canal is included within the Shariah definition of the beard.
✔ The hair below the neck is not part of the beard and may be removed.

May Allah grant us the ability to practice the religion and remain steadfast upon the truth. آمين
 
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