For Medical reasons, my doctor has asked me to shave my beard for treatment.

Question:

For Medical reasons, my doctor has asked me to shave my beard for treatment.
My beard is prominent under my chin and neck, and starting to form around my jaw. The hair on my jaw is thin compared to the hair on my chin. The problem with my beard according to my doctors is that as it grows I’ll lose some of the hair, and it would form small holes around my beard. This is the biggest health concern.

Is it permissible to shave for this reason?

Answer:

In the name of Allāh, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.

Assalamualaikum Warahmatullahi Wabarakatuhu

It is Waajib (compulsory) for a Muslim male to grow a beard till a fist length. It is prohibited (Makrooh – Tahrimi) to cut or shave the beard. He who does so is a Faasiq (sinner).This is the view of the majority of scholars.

Allaamah ibnul Humaam Rahmatullahi Allayhi has mentioned that nobody has permitted the trimming of the beard lesser than a fist length.[1]

 

According to our understanding of your beard, it does not grow straight and curls up creating holes within the beard. If our understanding is correct, then that is no reason in Shariah for you to cut or shave your beard. You should search for other means to straighten your beard.[2]

And Allah Ta‘ala knows best
Mufti Luqman Hansrot
Fatwa Dept.



[1] (Fathul Qadeer; Shaami; Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah vol.5 pgs.93, 105, 108)

[2] يحرم على الرجل قطع لحيته
(رد المحتار ،سعيد، ص407،ج6)
حدثنا نافع عن ابن عمر قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم خالفوا المشركين أحفوا الشوارب وأوفوا اللحى.
(صحيح مسلم ،دار المعرفه،بيروت، ص142،ج3،ح599)

(فتاوى محموديه،جامعه فاروقيه ، ص،409،418،ج19)

(فتاوى رحيميه،دار الإشاعت ، ص،105،111،ج10)