Fatwa #2805820 January 2014Malaysia
Can I braid and plait my beard to make it straight?
Question
I have a question regarding the permissibility of braiding or plaiting one's beard. Alhamdulillah, I have been able to maintain a beard in the tradition of the Prophet(saw), i.e. allowing it to grow while trimming the moustasche.
I was braiding my beard to encourage it to grow straight and for neatness. But I would like to confirm if this practice (braiding the beard) is sound in the light of the Sunnah.
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa rahmatullāhi wa barakātuh.
The Sunnah of Rasūlullāh (sallAllāhu ‘alayhi wasallam) was to frequently comb his beard in order to keep it straight.[1]
It is undesirable to tie the hair of the beard into braids or plaits.[2]
To straighten your beard, consider applying oil before combing. If you find that does not help, you may consider using a hair straightener.
And Allah Ta‘ālā Knows Best
Zameelur Rahman
Student Darul Iftaa
UK
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يكثر دهن رأسه وتسريح لحيته (شمائل الترمذي مع شرح الباجوري، ص١١٦)
[2] قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: أخبر الناس أنه من عقد لحيته...فإن محمدا منه بريء (بذل المجهود، دار الكتب العلمية، ج١ ص٩٢-٣)
Masā’il of the Hairs, Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi, p. 6