Significance of growing beard in Islam?
Answer:
It is not obligatory for a Muslim to keep a beard, but it is a sunnah, as prophet Mohammad (pbuh) was having beard.Narrated Abu Ma'mar: I asked Khabbab bin Al-Art whether the Prophet used to recite the Qur'an in the Zuhr and the 'Asr prayers. He replied in the affirmative. I said, "How did you come to know that?" He replied, "From the movement of his beard." SAHIH AL-BUKHARI [Volume 1, Book 12, Number 728].
As Muslims, we follow everything the Prophet Mohamed (saws) said or did. He had a beard. All his companions had a beard. And in the below narrations, prophet Mohammad (pbuh) recommended Muslims to keep a beard. .
Narrated Ibn 'Umar: Allah's Apostle said, "Cut the moustaches short and leave the beard (as it is)." SAHIH AL-BUKHARI[Volume 7, Book 72, Number 781] .
Narrated Nafi': Ibn Umar said, The Prophet said, 'Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short.' Whenever Ibn 'Umar performed the Hajj or 'Umra, he used to hold his beard with his hand and cut whatever moustaches. Ibn Umar used to cut his moustache so short that the whiteness of his skin (above the upper lip) was visible, and he used to cut (the hair) between his moustaches and his beard. SAHIH AL-BUKHARI[Volume 7, Book 72, Number 780].
As Muslim, The Prophet (saws) should be our role model in every respect & through all walks of life as Allah says in the Holy Quran : .
“There is indeed the best model for you in the Messenger of Allah, for every such person looks forward to Allah and the Last Day, and remember Allah much”. Quran[33:21].
We should love to copy everything prophet Mohammad (pbuh) did, he had a beard and thus we should keep the beard. As those who keep the beard with the intention to fallow/obey/respect/love prophet Mohammad(pbuh) & for the pleasure of Allah, will get a great reward from Allah. As Allah says in the quran: .
Say (O Mohammad SAW to mankind): "If ye do love Allah, Follow me: Allah will love you and forgive you your sins: For Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful."[Quran 3:31] .
Say (O Mohammad SAW to mankind): "Obey Allah and His Messenger.: But if they turn back, Allah loves not those who reject Faith.[Quran 3:32] .
He who obeys the Messenger, obeys Allah. But if any turn away, We have not sent thee(Mohammad SAW) to watch over their (evil deeds). [Quran 4:80] .
Thus we should strive to follow & obey what prophet Mohammad SAW said or did, so that we may prosper in this world & hereafter. How ever if any Muslim brother does love Allah & his prophet (pbuh), but is unable to keep the beard (what ever reasons), then no doubt he has some weakness in the faith & lack of courage to show Islam on his face. .
The prophet mohammad(pbuh) said: .
Narrated Abu Sa'id Al-Khudri: The Prophet said, "There will emerge from the East some people who will recite the Qur'an but it will not exceed their throats and who will go out of (renounce) the religion (Islam) as an arrow passes through the game, and they will never come back to it unless the arrow, comes back to the middle of the bow (by itself) (i.e., impossible). The people asked, "What will their signs be?" He said, "Their sign will be the habit of shaving (of their beards). (Fateh Al-Bari, Page 322, Vol. 17th) SAHIH AL BUKHARI [Volume 9, Book 93, Number 651] LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
