Authenticity of Hadeeth pertaining to the beard
Fatwa No: 90437

Question

This is the 3rd or 4th time I am asking you this very same question; so, please do reply for the sake of Allaah. I wish to know the authenticity (Saheeh, Weak, Very Weak, Fabricated, ..) of the Hadeeth, which says that: Ibn 'Umar used to cut his beard when he went on Hajj or 'Umrah. I hope you reply this time, because it seems to be contradicting the following Hadeeth from Al-Bukhaari (Book: 72, Hadeeth: 781). Narrated Ibn 'Umar, Allaah's Apostle said: "Cut the moustaches short and leave the beard (as it is)." Waiting to hear from you soon.

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

 

What is narrated from Ibn 'Umar is sound that when he performed Hajj and shaved his head, he used to trim from his beard what exceeded the length of a fist.

Imaam Maalik reported that when Ibn 'Umar shaved his head after Hajj, he used to trim his beard and mustache.

Trimming what exceeded the length of a fist is also proved, through a good chain, from Abu Hurayrah .

Ibn Hajar reported from Jaabir that he said:  "We used to let the beard grow except in Hajj and 'Umrah."

Ibn Hajar reconciled between the narration of Ibn 'Umar and his action, as he said: "It seems that his act of trimming the beard was not limited only to the time of Hajj or 'Umrah, rather he understood that the command of growing beard is restricted only if the beard does not deface one's face by extra length or width."

Allaah Knows best.

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