13 Reason For Keeping Beard In Islam

Beard has long been identic with muslims and Islam, especially muslim’s man. It is a sunnah to keep beard in Islam. And what comes to sunnah must have certain reason behind it. Maybe some people might questioned about the urgency of keeping beard, since from the view of some people beard consider as of form of impermanence for man.

Some company even want their employees to trim their beard, to keep them in clean and proper visual according to the company’s standard. But do you know that Islam has encourage their people to keep their beard? What is the reason for keeping beard in Islam actually? Why it has not only been a cultural tradition but became an invitation in Islamic religion? Let’s us trying to explain about the reason for keeping beard in Islam, in certain aspects that might open up your mind. You may want to read about virtues of growing beard in Islam.

1. We should not change the creation from Allah SWT

As mentioned in the verse below,

“So direct your face toward the religion, inclining to truth. (Adhere to) the fitrah of Allah upon which He has created (all) people. No change should there be in the creation of Allah . That is the correct religion, but most of the people do not know.

Ar-Rum : 30

There is a statement of that “no change should there be in the creation of Allah.” It can be interpreted to be what created by Allah must be kept as what it should be. So if man should have a beard then they should not cut it off. There is also law of maintaining beards according to Islam that muslims should know.

2. To distinct muslims from the disbeliever

Yes, keeping beard in Islam is a way from a long time ago to distinct them from the disbeliever or mushreeken or pagan. Rasulullah said in the following hadith,

“Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short.” Whenever Ibn ‘Umar performed the Hajj or Umrah, he used to hold his beard with his hand and cut whatever moustaches. Ibn Umar used to cut his moustache so short that the whiteness of his skin (above the upper lip) was visible, and he used to cut (the hair) between his moustaches and his beard.”

Narrated by Bukhari

That muslims should do the opposite things what pagan’s did in the past. Read also about is it allowed to color

3. It keeps our fitrah

There are several things that consider as keeping our fitrah which will be the next reason for keeping beard in Islam. Aisyah narrated that Rasulullah said as follows,

“Ten are the acts according to fitrah: clipping the moustache, letting the beard grow, using the tooth-stick, snuffing up water in the nose, cutting the nails, washing the finger joints, plucking the hair under the armpits, shaving the pubes, and cleaning one’s private parts with water. The narrator said: I have forgotten the tenth, but it may have been rinsing the mouth.”

4. Shaving beard is satanic act

Shaving our beard till it’s gone in considered as a satanic act. Since it equal to change the creation of Allah as mentioned before, while Allah SWT has made beard as the part of men. Muslim’s men should understand about the rules of shaving in Islam.

5. It’s the command from Allah SWT

To keep our body at it’s original condition is part of the command from Allah. What we posses including our body, mind and even our soul are belong to Allah. It is our obligation to keep and reserve it at it’s original conditions.

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6. It strengthened our identity as muslims

Aside of being different to pagan or disbeliever beard also a symbol of our identity as muslims. And Rasulullah encourage his people to commit it, to have a sole identity and character which does not imitate and stand alone from the infidel both physically and spiritually, both appearance and way of life. You might want know about law of cutting nails when fasting.

7. Distinguish men and women

While it might sounds funny, but can you saw it nowadays that there are more people can not be distinguish their gender. More women looks or appear like men and vice versa. There is possibility for this. And this is another reason for keeping beard in Islam, hormonally women could not grow their beard while men could. It’s a clear way to separate men and women physically.

8. Looks more masculine

Well, you could see it too that there are certain products that becomes virals today to grow beard. And how man could look more mature and more masculine with their beard. Keeping beard could make a man look even more gentle than usual without any beard.

9. Decrease the possibility of skin cancer

Yes, accoding to the research of scientist in University of Southern Queensland which published on the Radiation Protection Dosimetry that 90-95% of UV exposure from the sun toward our face can be blocked by a beard. This will reduce skin aging and the possibility of skin cancer caused by UV light. Read also about cleanliness in Islam.

10. Reduce skin aging

As mentioned before that growing your beard could reduce skin aging. Well, not to mentioned that it also applied for woman. That man and woman skin especially face area will easily get damaged by sun rays. But when the grow enough hair and beard to cover up some of their face area it could be a natural protection to againts the danger of sun rays.

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11. Reducing and avoid infection

We have start to see the reason for keeping beard in Islam from the medical or health issues. From reducing skin aging, protect us from skin cancer, and now keeping beard also reducing and avoiding man from an infection.

Rash that caused by shaving could be minimized by just growing or keeping your beard instead of shaving it. The benefits of not shaving your beard is it’s reduce a chance for razor blade to touch your skin which can cause an allergic, infection, rash, and even injury. Hair that doesn’t grow or a dirty razor can trigger bacteria.

12. Natural moisturizer

Beard can be a natural moisturizer for our skin since it protect our skin from dry wind and air.

13. It is a sunnah from Rasulullah

For the conclusion of the reason for keeping beard in Islam is it is a sunnah from Rasulullah and he already show muslims by doing it. It is fitting that we follow his example because what he show us will give a good impact in our life.