Question
I am working in the army and always shave my beard unwillingly; is this Haram (prohibited)?
Answer
It is not permissible to shave the beard, for the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) ordered us to let it grow in many Sahih (authentic) Hadiths. He (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said that growing the beard entails contradicting the Magians and Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship). The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) had a bushy beard. It is obligatory upon Muslims to obey the Prophet and imitate his morals and deeds. Allah (سبحانه) says: “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allâh (Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)) you have a good example to follow.” [Surah Al¬Ahzab, 33: 21] And: “And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it).” [Surah Al-Hashr, 59: 7] And “And let those who oppose the Messenger’s (Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم)) 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, overpowered by a tyrant) should befall them or a painful torment be inflicted on them.” [Surah An-Nur, 24: 63]
Imitating the Kafirs (disbelievers/non-Muslims) is one of the greatest abominable acts, which leads to being gathered with them on the Day of resurrection, on account of the Prophet’s saying: “He who imitates any people is one of them.” If you work in a place where you are obliged to shave your beard, you should not obey them, for the Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “There is no obedience to a creature in disobedience to the Creator.” If they force you to shave your beard, you should quit this work which calls you to do what displeases Allah. The means of livelihood are numerous, praise be to Allah. If anyone gives up something for the sake of Allah, He will compensate them with something better.
Source: Majmoo ’al-Fataawa Ibn Baaz, Vol.: 8; pp. 376 – 377.
