Part 63

tah y Ckal ue deg O uh “Could he not have found something to comb his hair with?”

And he #% saw a man who was wearing dirty clothes; he # then said,

‘Could he not have found something to wash his clothes with

And Abu Hurairah # reported that the Messenger of Allah 3% said, “If a person has hair [on his head], then let him honor it)

However, that a man should honor his hair by grooming it and keeping it clean does not mean that he should become extravagant with his hair, whereby he styles it in the same manner that a woman styles her hair, or spends as much time on it as a woman spends on her hair. To take care of one’s hair by spending a lot of time on grooming it is something that is specific to women, and so men should not imitate them in this regard, for ‘Abdullah Ibn Mughaffal 2 reported that the Prophet #¢ forbade

) Related by Ahmad (14436), An-Nassaaee (5236), and Abu Dawood (4062). Ton Hajr said, “Both Abu Daawood and An-Nassaaee related this hadith with a Hasan chain (Al-Fath: 10/379-380). And Al-Albaanee declared that Abu Daawood and An-Nassaaee’s narrations of the hadith are both authentic.

"1 Abu Daawood related the hadith (4163), and in grading it, Al-Albaanee said, “Hasan Sahech.”

Chapter - 15 The Manners Of Adornment And Attire 383,

the practice of combing one’s hair unless it is done at reasonable intervals.) Hameed Ibn ‘Abdur-Rahmaan said, ” I met a man who was a Companion of the Prophet #% for the same amount of time that Abu Hurairah 4 accompanied him - for four years. That man said, ‘ The Messenger of Allah # forbade that one of us should comb his hair every day.)

As for the practice of completely shaving one’s hair, one should first know that is better to leave one’s hair as it is, allowing it to grow until it reaches the flesh of one’s ears, for that was how the Prophet # kept his hair. Al-Baraa Ibn ‘Aazib & said, ‘The Prophet # was of medium height. He was broad-shouldered, and he had hair that reached the flesh of his ear...” Muslim related it thus: “ With a very large Al-Jummah (a part of a person’s hair that falls down to one’s shoulders), until the flesh of his ears.)

The ruling for shaving one’s hair can, depending on the situation, be compulsory, forbidden, recommended, or permissible. It is compulsory to shave one’s hair during Hajj and ‘Umrah if one does not at least cut his hair. Also, if one keeps a hairstyle that is an imitation of a hairstyle common among non-Muslims, and if shaving his hair is the only way to rectify the situation, then it is compulsory for him to shave his hair.

It is forbidden to shave one’s hair if one shaves it as an act of worship - with the exception of Hajj and ‘Umrah - which is practiced among certain Sufi circles. When a person accepts Islam, it is recommended for him to shave his hair, especially if he has a lot of hair on his head. Also, it is recommended for the guardian of a baby to shave the baby’s hair seven days after his

" Related by Ahmad (16351); At-Tirmidhee (1756); Abu Daawood (4159), and Al-Albaanee declared his narration to be authentic; and An-Nassaaee

"I Related by An-Nassaaee (5054) and Abu Daawood (28). And Ibn Hajr said, “An-Nassaaee related it with an authentic chain.” Al-Albaanee also declared it to be authentic.

"1 Related by Bukhaaree (3551), Muslim (2337), Ahmad (18086), AtTirmidhee (1724), An-Nassaaee (5060), and Abu Daawood (4183).

or her birth. Finally, it is recommended for one to shave his hair if it makes him look so handsome that he becomes a source of Fitnah (trial and temptation) to either men or women. And it is recommended not to shave but to at least cut one’s hair if it surpasses the length of the Prophet's hair.

It is permissible to shave one’s hair if a person is so busy or preoccupied with important matters that he cannot properly take care of his hair. Imam Ahmad said, “It is Sunnah (i.e., to allow one’s hair to grow), and were we able to, we would have applied it (Le., allowed our hair to grow); however, hair requires a certain amount of effort and upkeep.” It is also permissible to shave one’s hair if one does so for some medical benefit.

Related Issue: These days, many among the youth are keeping a hairstyle that the Shariah expressly forbade: the practice of shaving a part of one’s head and leaving the rest of it. In the Arabic language and as a term in the Shariah, this practice is known by the name ‘Al-Qaz‘a’. Ibn ‘Umar # reported that the Messenger of Allah #% forbade the practice of Al-Qaz’a. In Muslim's narration of the hadith, Naa’fai was asked, ‘““What is Al-Qaz’a. He said, “’ To shave part of a baby’s head, and to leave a part of it”) And Ibn Al-Qayyim said, ” There are four kinds of Al-Qaz’a: first, to shave here and there (at random or in a pattern, but without shaving the entire head)... Second, shaving the middle of one’s head and leaving the sides, a practice that is common among Christian monks. Third, shaving the sides of one’s head and leaving the middle, a practice that is common among the foolish members of society. Fourth, shaving the front of one’s head and leaving the back. All of these practices are categories of Al-Qaz’a, and Allah 3% knows best.”

Related Issue: If one wants to shave his head, he should begin with the right side and then move on to the left side. Anas Ibn Maalik <s said, ‘’ The Messenger of Allah #¢ arrived at Minah; he went to Al-Jamarah and pelted it. He then went to his place at

"I Related by Bukhaaree (5921), Muslim (2120), Ahmad (4459), An-Nassaaee (6050), Abu Daawood (4194), and Ibn Maajah (3637).

Chapter - 15 The Manners Of Adornment And Attire 385,

Minah and slaughtered [his sacrifice]. Next, he #8 said to the haircutter,

“Take (i.e., shave), and he pointed to his right side, and then to his left side...""1)

17) It Is Sunnah For Men To Grow Their Beards And Trim Their Moustaches

It is in facta compulsory Sunnah for men to trim their mustaches and to allow their beards to grow and flourish. Men have no choice in the matter; they must simply listen and obey, for Allah 3¢ said:

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“Tt is not for a believer, man or woman, when Allah and His

Messenger have decreed a matier that they should have any

option in their decision. And whoever disobeys Allah and His

Messenger has indeed strayed in a plain error.” (Quran 33:36)

It is not for a believer, means that it is most inappropriate for a person who has Eemaan (faith, belief) in his heart to do anything other than race and strive to obey Allah 3 and His Messenger # and flee from their anger. This involves obeying their commands and staying away from that which they prohibited. To truly be a believer, one must give priority to the Messenger’s commands over the strongest of one’s inner desires.

There are a number of Ahadeeth in which the Messenger of Allah #8 ordered Muslims to grow their beards and trim their mustaches; basically, those Ahadeeth impart the same command but are worded differently. Here is one example: “Differ from the polytheists: trim your mustaches and allow your beards to grow. “PI

The Prophet’s command in this hadith involves two reasons why a Muslim should grow his beard and trim his mustache: First, it is compulsory upon a Muslim to obey the command of the Prophet #, and second, a Muslim should differ from the polytheists - and this too we know from the Prophet’s command, for the Prophet 2% elsewhere stated in unequivocal terms that it is prohibited to imitate the polytheists. A Muslim should submit to Allah and His Messenger’s command, so that he is not put to trial and so that he is not punished by a painful torment:

ef be ok Jha es Sale ae Salt cp “And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad 3%) commandment (i.e, his Sunnah - legal ways, orders, acts of worship, statements, etc.) (among the sects) beware, lest some Fitnah (disbelief, trials, afflictions, earthquakes, killing, becoming overpowered by a tyrant, etc.) befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” (Quran 24:63)

Based on certain narrations from our pious predecessors, some scholars have discussed the matter of trimming the beard, both in length and in width; however, those narrations are superfluous in light of the fact that we have clearly-worded narrations from the Prophet #%, narrations that leave no doubt about the matter. The Messenger of Allah’s sayings and deeds represent conclusive proof in all matters, and that is not the case for the sayings and deeds of his Companions # and followers.

An-Nawawee said, “The chosen (i.e., correct) view in this issue is that one should allow his beard to grow without trimming it at all and that one should not completely remove his mustache, but should instead trim enough of it to allow the edge of his lip to be

18) The Sunnah Is To Dye White Hair, But Not To The Color Black

When the hair on a person’s head or face turns white, it is Sunnah for him to change the color with dye, for the Prophet #¢ said,

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Chapter - 15 The Manners Of Adornment And Attire 387

“Verily, the Jews and Christians do not dye [their hair], so differ from them {in regard to this matter (and in regard to all matters)].’44)

However, one should stay away from the color black, for the Prophet #% forbade Muslims from using black dye for one’s hair. In the year of the Makkah Conquest, when Abu Quhaafah 4% was brought to the Prophet 3%, his hair and beard were white. The Prophet # said

WS EN 6255 segbs Wik 15 Z20 “Change this with something (i.e, change the color of Abu

Quhaafah’s hair with some kind of dye), but stay away from black,’"2)

“Stay away from black” is a clear prohibition, and it applies equally to both men and women.

19) What Is Related About The Use Of Kohl (A Powder Used As Eye Make-Up And As Eye Ointment)