Mutilation

Shaving the beard is a kind of mutilation which Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) has prevented. Mutilation is a way to disfigure the face of a person. A person shaves his beard in order to look handsome, but according to the Shari'ah he is disfigured and appears ugly in front of Allah Ta'ala. The Habeeb of Allah Ta'ala, our Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) and his disciples, that is, the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radiyallahu Anhum) and the pious personalities have always kept a beard. Allah Ta'ala likes to glance at His servants who resemble His privileged servants. This will be realised when a person does not shave his beard. Shaving the beard makes a person look ugly just like a lady looks ugly when she shaves the hair on her head. If long tresses is a means of beauty for a woman, then the beard is a means to beautify a man.

According to the Qur'an-e-Kareem, changing the form that Allah Ta'ala gave to Insaan is a satanic inspiration. Any change in the physical body of a person is prohibited. Unless there is some evidence that authorises this change or imposes it. For example, there is evidence to cut the nails, shave the moustache, trim the beard, remove the hair under the armpits, below the navel etc, thus these changes should be carried out. But where there is no proof, it should be left as it is. According to this principle, if Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) had not ordered to keep a beard, in that case also, it would not have been permissible to shave the beard. Because shaving the beard is a change and a modification in the body which requires proof to be able to carry it out.

According to this principle, it is those who authorise the shaving of the beard who should have furnished the proof of authorisation. The fact that there is no evidence that allows it, shaving the beard will remain prohibited. And the fact that Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) ordered to keep the beard, has reinforced this interdiction to a greater extent. And the permanent and continual practice of Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam), the Sahaba-e-Kiraam (Radiyallaahu Anhum) and the pious personalities has added another degree of emphasis and importance to this practice.

It is this ugly/bad behaviour of imitating others which led us to a situation where we prefer the outlook of the Kuffaar and the Mushrikeen. Both girls and boys find their friends more beautiful in the outlook of the Kuffaar and the Mushrikeen. A Muslim should love Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam). This love should surpass all love. The sign of love for Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) is in following his Sunnah. Claiming to love Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) without practicing his Sunnah is an uncertain/dubious love. It is a kind of love that we ourselves will not accept from others. Without hesitation, we can label this love as treachery, dishonesty and lies.

[English version of "Mutilation" – Al Jamiat – Vol.7 No.15]