Is It Permissible to Shave Beards Temporarily for Work? Sharʿi Guidance
Taken from: Aḥkām wa Masāʾil, Masāʾil al-Buyūʿ, vol.1, p.392
❖ The Question
Respected scholar, I asked you earlier whether taking up the profession of cutting hair and shaving beards is permissible. You replied that doing this work is ḥarām, and income from it is also ḥarām. Alḥamdulillāh, I had already given up this work in Saudi Arabia, even bearing a loss of six lakhs.
Now another issue has arisen: I have been offered to go to Kuwait. Previously I refused, and now again my brother has sent a visa, but I have declined. My parents are very upset with me, and I fear disobeying them and earning Allah’s displeasure.
If I go temporarily, perform this work without taking wages, while searching for another ḥalāl job, and then leave it once I find a permissible means of livelihood — would that be allowed?
❖ The Answer
Al-ḥamdu lillāh, waṣ-ṣalātu wa-s-salāmu ʿalā Rasūlillāh, ammā baʿd:
◈ Ruling on Shaving the Beard
- Shaving, trimming, or cutting the beard is ḥarām and impermissible.
- Adopting this profession is also impermissible, and income from it is ḥarām.
- The Messenger of Allah ﷺ commanded:
«أَعْفُوْا اللُّحٰی»
“Grow your beards.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ ḥadīth)
➡ Therefore, this work is not permissible even if done free of charge or temporarily.
◈ Regarding Obedience to Parents
- Allah commands:
﴿وَبِالْوَالِدَیْنِ إِحْسَانًا﴾
“And be good to your parents.”
- The Prophet ﷺ counted disobedience to parents among the major sins.
- But he ﷺ also said:
«لا طَاعَةَ لِمَخْلُوْقٍ فِیْ مَعْصِيَةِ اﷲِ»
“There is no obedience to the creation if it involves disobedience to Allah.”
(Ṣaḥīḥ ḥadīth)
❖ Conclusion
- If parents command something that involves disobedience to Allah, obedience in that matter is not allowed.
- Hence, even temporarily or without wages, it is not permissible for you to work in shaving beards.
- You must prioritize Allah’s pleasure, while explaining matters to your parents gently, so that their hearts soften and their anger subsides.
ھذا ما عندي والله أعلم بالصواب
