Ruling on shaving the moustache

Some Brothers of mine growing the beard but there are shaving there mustaches. There are saying, that Omar, may Allah be pleased with him, did this and so it is good to do it. I read some answers on your website regarding the trimming of the mustaches, but it is permissible to shave it.

Praise be to Allaah.

The scholars differed concerning the mustahabb Sunnah regarding the moustache, and there are two views: 

1-

The first view is that it is Sunnah to shave it off altogether. This is the view of the Hanafis and Hanbalis. They quoted as evidence the apparent meaning of the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) that were narrated concerning this, such as “Trim the moustache” [narrated by al-Bukhaari (5892) and Muslim (259)] and other similar reports in al-Bukhaari and Muslim. 

Al-Tahhaawi said in Sharh Ma’aani al-Athaar (4/230): 

Shaving is better than trimming. This is the view of Abu Haneefah, Abu Yoosuf and Muhammad (may Allaah have mercy on them). End quote. 

Ibn ‘Aabideen narrated in Radd al-Muhtaar (2/550) that later scholars preferred to trim it and said: 

The (Hanafi) view according to some later scholars among our Shaykhs is that it should be trimmed. It says in al-Badaa’i’: This is the correct view. End quote. 

2-

The second view is that the Sunnah is to trim the moustache, and that shaving it is makrooh. This is the view of the Maalikis and Shaafa’is. Imam Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) was very strict concerning that. 

They quoted the following as evidence: 

(i)

It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that he heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) say: "The fitrah is five things: circumcision, shaving the pubes, trimming the moustache, trimming the nails and plucking the armpit hairs." Narrated by al-Bukhaari (5891) and Muslim (257). 

(ii)

It was narrated that al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: My moustache grew too long and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) trimmed it for me on a siwaak.” Narrated by Abu Dawood (188); classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh Abi Dawood. 

Al-Bayhaqi narrated in al-Sunan al-Kubra (1/151) with his isnaad that ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn ‘Abd-Allaah al-Uwaysi said: Maalik ibn Anas mentioned that some people shave their moustaches, and he said: The one who does that should be beaten. The hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about the moustache does not speak of shaving, rather it should be trimmed just enough to let the edge of the lips and the mouth show.  

Maalik ibn Anas said: Shaving the moustache is a bid’ah (innovation) that has appeared among the people. End quote. 

Abu’l-Waleed al-Baaji said in al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta’ (7/266): 

Ibn ‘Abd al-Hakam narrated from Maalik: Trimming the moustache does not mean shaving it. I think that the one who shaves his moustache should be disciplined. Ashhab ibn Maalik narrated: Shaving it is a bid’ah (innovation). 

Maalik (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: It was narrated from ‘Umar ibn al-Khattaab (may Allaah be pleased with him) that when he was upset by something, he would twist his moustache. If it was shaved off, there would be nothing to twist. End quote. See al-Tamheed (21/62-68). 

Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Majmoo’ (1/34-341): 

The guideline on trimming the moustache is that it should be trimmed so that the edge of the lip can be seen, but it should not be shaved off completely. This is our view. End quote. 

In Nihaayat al-Muhtaaj by al-Ramli (8/148), who is one of the Shaafa’i imams, it says: It is makrooh to shave the moustache. End quote.  

This opinion was also narrated from a number of the salaf. 

Al-Bayhaqi narrated in al-Sunan al-Kubra (1/151) with his isnaad that Shurahbeel ibn Muslim al-Khawlaani said: I saw five of the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) trimming their moustaches and letting their beards grow and dyeing them with saffron: Abu Umaamah al-Baahili, ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Bisr, ‘Utbah ibn ‘Abd al-Sulami, al-Hajjaaj ibn ‘Aamir al-Thamaali and al-Miqdaam ibn Ma’di Yakrib al-Kindi. They used to trim their moustaches to the edge of the lip.  

They responded to the evidence quoted in favour of the first view in two ways: 

1 – What is meant by trimming is trimming the edge of the hair which grows over the lip, not shaving off the hair completely, based on the evidence of the reports which mention trimming only. 

Abu’l-Waleed al-Baaji said in al-Muntaqa Sharh al-Muwatta’ (7/266): 

Ibn al-Qaasim narrated from Maalik that the explanation of the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) about trimming the moustache is that it is to be trimmed enough to let the red part of the lips show and the edges of the mouth. end quote. 

Al-Nawawi said in al-Majmoo’ (1/340): 

These reports – i.e. the reports which speak of trimming the moustache – are understood by us to mean trimming it to the edge of the lips, not shaving it off completely. End quote. 

2 – Trimming does not mean removing it altogether, rather it means removing part of it. 

The more correct view – and Allaah knows best – is the second one, which is that the Sunnah is to trim the moustache and not to shave it. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Majmoo’ al-Fataawa (11/Baab al-Siwaak wa Sunan al-Fitrah/question no. 54): 

The best is to trim the moustache as is the Sunnah. As for shaving it, that is not Sunnah. The analogy drawn by some of them, that it is prescribed to shave it as the head is shaved in Hajj is an analogy when a clear text states something else, so this analogy does not carry any weight. Hence Maalik said concerning shaving the moustache: It is an innovation that has appeared among the people, but we should not turn away from what is mentioned in the Sunnah, because following it is guidance, righteousness, happiness and success. End quote. 

The Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas was asked: In a number of ahaadeeth it says “trim the moustache”. Is shaving different from trimming? Some people trim the first part of the moustache that is closest to the upper lip, and they leave the hair of the moustache, so they trim nearly half of the moustache and leave the rest. Is this what is meant? Or does trimming the moustache mean shaving off all of it? Please advise me of the manner in which the moustache should be trimmed. 

They replied: 

The saheeh ahaadeeth from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) indicate that it is prescribed to trim the moustache. For example, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Trim the moustache and let the beard grow; be different from the mushrikeen.” (Agreed upon). And he (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Trim the moustache and let the beard grow; be different from the Magians,” and in some versions it says: “Trim the moustache.” Trimming means cutting it very short. The one who cuts his moustache very short so that the upper lip is visible or trims it is not to blame, because the ahaadeeth mention two things, but it is not permissible to leave the edges of the moustache, rather the whole moustache should be trimmed or cut, in accordance with the Sunnah. End quote.  

Shaykh ‘Abd al-‘Azeez ibn Baaz, Shaykh ‘Abd al-Razzaaq ‘Afeefi, Shaykh ‘Abd-Allaah ibn Qa’ood. 

Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah (5/149). 

Al-Tabari and al-Qaadi ‘Iyaad favoured the view that both are permissible: shaving and trimming; al-Haafiz Ibn Hajar also inclined towards this view in Fath al-Baari (10/347). 

See: al-Mawsoo’ah al-Fiqhiyyah (25/320). 

And Allaah knows best.

The time for circumcision

When should circumcision be done? At adolescence or when the child is small?.

Praise be to Allaah.

It is better for circumcision to be done when the child is small, because that is kinder to the child, and so that the child may grow up in a perfect form. 

Al-Nawawi said: 

It is mustahabb for the child’s guardian to have him circumcised when he is small, because that is kinder to him. 

Al-Majmoo’, 1/351. 

Al-Bayhaqi (8/324) narrated that Jaabir said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) did ‘aqeeqah for al-Hasan and al-Husayn, and he circumcised them when they were seven days old.  

The isnaad of this hadeeth is da’eef (weak). See Irwa’ al-Ghaleel, 4/383 

Hence Imam Ahmad was asked about the time of circumcision, and he said, We have not heard anything about that. 

Ibn al-Mundhir said: 

There is no report that may be referred to concerning the time of circumcision, and no Sunnah to be followed. 

With regard to the time when it becomes obligatory: 

Some of the scholars were of the view that it is not obligatory until after puberty, because the duties of sharee’ah are not obligatory until one reaches puberty. 

Al-Nawawi said: 

Our companions said: The time when circumcision becomes obligatory is after puberty. 

Al-Majmoo’, 1/351 

Ibn al-Qayyim (may Allaah have mercy on him) favoured the view that it is obligatory before puberty, so that the child will reach puberty in a circumcised state, but the obligation here is upon the guardian, not the child. 

Ibn al-Qayyim said: 

In my view it is obligatory for the guardian to circumcise the child before puberty, so that he will grow up in a circumcised state, because the duty can only be done in this manner… The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) enjoined fathers to tell their children to pray when they are seven and to smack them if they do not pray when they are ten, so what justification can there be for not circumcising them until after they have reached puberty? 

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: 

With regard to circumcision, whenever he wants he can be circumcised, but if he is approaching the age of puberty he should be circumcised as the  Arabs used to do, to make sure he does not reach puberty when he is not circumcised. 

Al-Fataawa al-Kubra, 1/275.

Ruling on circumcision for one who has become Muslim

What is the ruling on circumcision for a new Muslim, and when should he get circumcised?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Circumcision for the new Muslim is obligatory, as it is for one is born Muslim, and he has to get circumcised when he becomes Muslim, but if delaying it could serve some interest, such as avoiding putting him off Islam, because Islam not yet established in his heart, there is nothing wrong with that, because the evil that results from delaying circumcision is less serious than the evil that results from his apostasy from Islam after becoming Muslim. End quote. 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) 

Removing armpit hairs with the help of another person

Is it allowed to get one's armpit hairs to be removed by another lady using wax?.

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly: 

Allaah has prescribed for His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his ummah the Sunan al-Fitrah (practices that are in accordance with the natural inclinations of man). These are mentioned in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her), who said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Ten things are part of the fitrah: cutting the moustache, letting the beard grow, using siwaak (tooth-stick), snuffing up water into the nose, cutting the nails, washing the finger-joints, plucking the armpit hairs, shaving the pubes and washing the private parts after relieving oneself.” Zakariya said: Mus’ab said: I have forgotten the tenth but I think it was rinsing the mouth. 

Narrated by Muslim, 261. 

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) set a time limit with regard to some of these sunnahs, stating that they should not be left for more than forty days, as narrated in the hadeeth of Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him) who said: A time limit was set for us with regard to cutting the moustache, clipping the nails, plucking the armpit hairs and shaving the pubes – we were not to leave these for more than forty days. 

(Narrated by Muslim, 258) 

Secondly: 

It is not permissible for a man to look at the ‘awrah of another man or for a woman to look at the ‘awrah of another woman. 

It was narrated that Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “No man should look at the ‘awrah of another man and no woman should look at the ‘awrah of another woman. No man should be with another man under one cover and no woman should be with another woman under one cover.” 

Narrated by Muslim, 338. 

Al-Nawawi said: 

This indicates that it is haraam for a man to look at the ‘awrah of another man and for a woman to look at the ‘awrah of another woman. There is no dispute among the scholars on this point. Similarly it is haraam, according to scholarly consensus, for a man to look at the ‘awrah of a woman and for a woman to look at the ‘awrah of a man. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against a man looking at the ‘awrah of another man and woman looking at the ‘awrah of another woman, and this is more applicable in the case of a man looking at the ‘awrah of a woman and vice versa.  

An exception is made in the case of a married couple, each of whom may look at the ‘awrah of the other. In the case of mahrams, it is permissible for them to look at one another from above the navel and below the knee. All that we have said about looking being forbidden applies when there is no need to do so, and what we have said about it being permissible (among mahrams) applies when there is no desire involved. 

See Fath al-Baari, 9/339 

Thirdly: 

It is permissible for a woman to remove the armpit hair of another woman, because the armpit of a woman is not ‘awrah to another woman, so long as there is no risk of fitnah and so long as there is the certainty that she will not describe the body of the woman she has seen to her husband or any other man or to any other woman.  

See Tafseer Ibn Katheer, 3/258. 

Fourthly: 

With regard to using wax instead of plucking, this is permissible, The Standing Committee was asked: is it permissible for a man to use wax to remove hair such as armpit and pubic hair? 

They replied: 

Yes, it is permissible to use that to remove armpit and pubic hair. 

Fatawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 5/171 

And Allaah knows best.

Ruling on letting nails grow long

What is the ruling on those who let all or some of their nails grow long?

Praise be to Allaah.

Letting the nails grow long is makrooh, if not haraam, because the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) set a time limit for cutting the nails, and said that they should not be left for more than forty days. (Narrated by Muslim in al-Tahaarah, 258).

 It is strange that those who claim to be civilized leave their nails to grow even though they trap dirt and make a person look like an animal. The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Use whatever causes blood to flow, and eat the animals if the name of Allaah is mentioned on slaughtering them. Do not slaughter with teeth or fingernails and I will tell you why: it is because teeth are bones (i.e., cannot cut properly) and fingernails are the tools used by the Ethiopians (whom we should not imitate for they are infidels).” (Narrated by al-Bukhaari in al-Sharikah, 3507; Muslim in al-Adaahi, 1968). This refers to the fact that they used to use their fingernails as knives to slaughter animals and cut the meat, etc. This is the way of those who resemble animals.

What is the ruling on neglecting the Sunan al-Fitrah, and does that have any effect on tahaarah (purity)?

I have noted that some worshippers let their nails grow long and they are filled with dirt. Is this befitting for a Muslim? Is their wudoo’ valid? Is there a specified time limit for cutting the nails, or for doing other things that are Sunan al-Fitrah (specific sunnahs connected to the natural disposition of man)?

Praise be to Allaah.

The nails must be cut within forty days (of the last cutting), because the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) specified a time limit within which people should cut their nails, shave their pubic hair, pluck their armpit hair and trim their moustaches, and not leave it for more than forty days. This was proven from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Anas (may Allaah be pleased with him), who was the servant of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “He set a time for us to trim our moustaches, cut our nails, pluck our armpit hair and shave our pubic hair; we were not to leave that for more than forty days.” Narrated by Imaam Muslim in al-Saheeh (258). It was also narrated by Imaam Ahmad (11823) and by al-Nasaa’i (14) and a group with the wording: “The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) set a time limit for us, we were not to neglect our nails and moustaches, and shaving the pubic hair and plucking the armpit hair beyond forty days.” Both men and women must pay attention to this matter and not leave the nails, moustache, pubic hair or armpit hair for more than forty days. Wudoo’ is valid and is not affected by whatever dirt is under the fingernails, because it is a small amount and may be forgiven. 

Wearing false eyelashes and nails

Is wearing false nails and eyelashes permissible or not?

Praise be to Allaah.

It is not permissible to wear false eyelashes because this comes under the ruling on wearing hair extensions. Wearing false nails that are long and look like the claws of wild animals is something that has come to us from the kuffaar; our sharee’ah enjoins us to cut our nails and not let them grow long, so why would we want to go against our sharee’ah? We ask Allaah to guide us.