Authored by: Shaykh Mubashir Ahmad Rabbani (حفظه الله)
Question:
Is a barber who shaves beards also sinful? What is the ruling on his income?
Answer:
Allah Almighty has created human beings in the best of forms, and among the distinguishing features between men and women is the beard, which is a symbol of manliness and dignity. Allah adorned all His Prophets and Messengers with beards. If it were a source of ugliness or disgrace, Allah would not have granted it to His chosen ones. The beard is part of the natural disposition (Fitrah) of Islam.
It is narrated from Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"عَشْرٌ مِّنَ الْفِطْرَةِ قَصُّ الشَّارِبِ وَاِعْفَاءُ اللِّحْيَةِ"
“Ten things are from the Fitrah: trimming the mustache and letting the beard grow...”
[Muslim, Book of Purification: Chapter on the Traits of Fitrah, Hadith 261]
The phrase “I‘faa’ al-lihyah” means to let the beard grow naturally, without trimming or cutting it.
Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) mentioned five expressions from different narrations—‘a‘fū, awfū, arkhū, arjū, waffirū’—and explained:
“All of these mean to leave the beard as it is.”
[Sharh Sahih Muslim 1/129]
Qadi Shawkani (رحمه الله) wrote:
"These practices, when observed, define a person as one who conforms to the Fitrah upon which Allah has created His servants. He has encouraged and preferred them, so they may possess the most complete and noble physical characteristics."
[Nayl al-Awtar 1/130]
He further states:
"These are the ancient Sunnahs chosen by the Prophets, agreed upon by all divine laws. It is as if it is a natural command, unanimously accepted."
[Nayl al-Awtar 1/130]
This Hadith from Sahih Muslim clearly shows that letting the beard grow is a natural and inherent trait. To shave or trim it is to alter this nature and constitutes a satanic act. Numerous other authentic Hadiths command the keeping of a beard. As a rule, a command (amr) in Islamic law implies obligation (wujūb). Failing to fulfill an obligation invites the wrath of Allah.
Hence, a person who shaves another’s beard is assisting in a sinful act, which is explicitly prohibited in Islam. When beard shaving is a major sin and haram, then cooperating in this act also becomes haram.
It is also important to remember that any income earned through a haram action is itself haram. Therefore, shaving beards and accepting payment for it is haram. Additionally, renting out a shop to someone who shaves beards constitutes cooperation in sin, and is likewise haram.
Conclusion:
Shaving the beard is a major sin, and assisting in it—whether by performing it, renting space for it, or taking payment for it—is also impermissible and sinful. The income earned from such acts is considered haram in Islamic law.
✿ The Income of a Barber Who Shaves Beards
Question:
Is a barber who shaves beards also sinful? What is the ruling on his income?
Answer:
Allah Almighty has created human beings in the best of forms, and among the distinguishing features between men and women is the beard, which is a symbol of manliness and dignity. Allah adorned all His Prophets and Messengers with beards. If it were a source of ugliness or disgrace, Allah would not have granted it to His chosen ones. The beard is part of the natural disposition (Fitrah) of Islam.
It is narrated from Sayyidah Aisha (رضي الله عنها) that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said:
"عَشْرٌ مِّنَ الْفِطْرَةِ قَصُّ الشَّارِبِ وَاِعْفَاءُ اللِّحْيَةِ"
“Ten things are from the Fitrah: trimming the mustache and letting the beard grow...”
[Muslim, Book of Purification: Chapter on the Traits of Fitrah, Hadith 261]
The phrase “I‘faa’ al-lihyah” means to let the beard grow naturally, without trimming or cutting it.
Imam Nawawi (رحمه الله) mentioned five expressions from different narrations—‘a‘fū, awfū, arkhū, arjū, waffirū’—and explained:
“All of these mean to leave the beard as it is.”
[Sharh Sahih Muslim 1/129]
Qadi Shawkani (رحمه الله) wrote:
"These practices, when observed, define a person as one who conforms to the Fitrah upon which Allah has created His servants. He has encouraged and preferred them, so they may possess the most complete and noble physical characteristics."
[Nayl al-Awtar 1/130]
He further states:
"These are the ancient Sunnahs chosen by the Prophets, agreed upon by all divine laws. It is as if it is a natural command, unanimously accepted."
[Nayl al-Awtar 1/130]
This Hadith from Sahih Muslim clearly shows that letting the beard grow is a natural and inherent trait. To shave or trim it is to alter this nature and constitutes a satanic act. Numerous other authentic Hadiths command the keeping of a beard. As a rule, a command (amr) in Islamic law implies obligation (wujūb). Failing to fulfill an obligation invites the wrath of Allah.
Hence, a person who shaves another’s beard is assisting in a sinful act, which is explicitly prohibited in Islam. When beard shaving is a major sin and haram, then cooperating in this act also becomes haram.
It is also important to remember that any income earned through a haram action is itself haram. Therefore, shaving beards and accepting payment for it is haram. Additionally, renting out a shop to someone who shaves beards constitutes cooperation in sin, and is likewise haram.
Conclusion:
Shaving the beard is a major sin, and assisting in it—whether by performing it, renting space for it, or taking payment for it—is also impermissible and sinful. The income earned from such acts is considered haram in Islamic law.
