❀ Trimming the Beard and Its Shar‘i Ruling – Clarifying the Ahl-e-Hadith Position ❀
Taken from: “Ahkam wa Masail – In Light of Qur’an and Hadith”, Volume 01, Page 521
A person raised the objection that:
If trimming the beard is prohibited, or if the one who trims his beard is considered sinful or of a lower religious standing compared to a practicing person, then how is it that the Ahl-e-Hadith, widely regarded as a devout and practicing group, would ever appoint as their leader someone (i.e., Ehsan Elahi) who is considered to be an opponent of the beard?
Similarly, Ḥakīm Muhammad Ṣādiq Sialkoti (رحمه الله), in his will, instructed that Ehsan Elahi should lead his funeral prayer.
Moreover, Ḥakīm Ṣāḥib regarded Ehsan Elahi as more pious and God-fearing than scholars of other groups, even though those scholars were more outwardly observant.
According to the questioner, this proves that the issue of trimming the beard is a baseless and unnecessary debate.
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
The Ahl-e-Hadith affirm and proclaim the Kalimah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, not of anyone else.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ clearly commanded:
◄ Trim the moustaches
◄ Let the beards grow
◄ Oppose the Magians and the polytheists
Shortening the beard, trimming any part of it, shaping its lines, or shaving it entirely—none of these actions are established from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Appointing someone as a leader (Amīr), guide, or Imam is one matter,
but treating a person’s actions or statements as binding Shar‘i proof is an entirely separate matter.
Hence, citing the leadership status of any individual or their acceptance by a certain group does not nullify or diminish the Shar‘i command regarding the beard.
هَذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I have, and Allah knows best what is correct.
Taken from: “Ahkam wa Masail – In Light of Qur’an and Hadith”, Volume 01, Page 521
❖ Question
A person raised the objection that:
If trimming the beard is prohibited, or if the one who trims his beard is considered sinful or of a lower religious standing compared to a practicing person, then how is it that the Ahl-e-Hadith, widely regarded as a devout and practicing group, would ever appoint as their leader someone (i.e., Ehsan Elahi) who is considered to be an opponent of the beard?
Similarly, Ḥakīm Muhammad Ṣādiq Sialkoti (رحمه الله), in his will, instructed that Ehsan Elahi should lead his funeral prayer.
Moreover, Ḥakīm Ṣāḥib regarded Ehsan Elahi as more pious and God-fearing than scholars of other groups, even though those scholars were more outwardly observant.
According to the questioner, this proves that the issue of trimming the beard is a baseless and unnecessary debate.
❖ Answer
Alḥamdulillāh, and peace and blessings be upon the Messenger of Allah. To proceed:
The Ahl-e-Hadith affirm and proclaim the Kalimah of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, not of anyone else.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ clearly commanded:
◄ Trim the moustaches
◄ Let the beards grow
◄ Oppose the Magians and the polytheists
Shortening the beard, trimming any part of it, shaping its lines, or shaving it entirely—none of these actions are established from the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
Appointing someone as a leader (Amīr), guide, or Imam is one matter,
but treating a person’s actions or statements as binding Shar‘i proof is an entirely separate matter.
Hence, citing the leadership status of any individual or their acceptance by a certain group does not nullify or diminish the Shar‘i command regarding the beard.
هَذَا مَا عِنْدِي وَاللّٰهُ أَعْلَمُ بِالصَّوَابِ
This is what I have, and Allah knows best what is correct.
