Fatwa #4533812 July 2020United Kingdom
Motivation to keep a beard - Will my perseverance count as Mujahadah?
Question
I am nearly 16 years old. Alhamdulillah, Allah has blessed me with a full beard at this age. Which is very rare in UK. My beard is so far about 2 inches long ( i have not trimmed).
However, i face an issue in which people think i am older than my actual age. So therefore i get judged for things, EG recently i was once refused a child bus pass( when i was under 16). Also some people always make fun of me
My question is: Whether my perseverence with regards to not trimming despite this will be counted as Mujahadah?
i wish to use this as motivation to become better muslim
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has said,
“A time will come when the one who is steadfast on his Deen will be like a person holding a burning coal.” (Tirmidhi)[1]
There are numerous rewards which have been promised for the one who holds firm to his religion despite these adverse conditions. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said,
“After you there will be days of patience; patience on those days will be like holding on a burning coal. The reward of the person who carries out (good deeds) will be like that of fifty people who did that same action.” (Abu Dawood)[2]
Do not feel despondent or overwhelmed about being different from others. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) has given glad tidings for the one who practises Deen when it seems strange to the
people. Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) said,
“Verily Islam has started as something strange. It will soon return to the condition in which it began, so goodness be on those who practice on it when it is strange.”(Muslim)[3]
We commend you on your zeal to grow a beard. This was a salient feature of our beloved Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Surely, you will be rewarded greatly for your bravery and sacrifices in keeping a beard. We make du’a that Allah Ta’ala keep you steadfast and grant you the full reward of following the Sunnah of our beloved Nabi (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam).
You should feel proud for practising on the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). Your determination and self-confidence will inspire others, and will be a means of promoting the Sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam). While you feel different today, your sacrifices and determination will lead to many people following you or atleast admiring your determination.
In the UK we observe people of strong cultures. Sikhs also keep the beard and tie turbans. They are not deterred by anyone since they believe in what they do. Why should you, who is practising on the Sunnah, be deterred or feel different. Be strong and steadfast.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abu ‘Umar Muhammad bin Zayn Patel
Student Darul Iftaa
South Africa
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Ebrahim Desai.
[1] سنن الترمذي (8/ 215)
2186 - حَدَّثَنَا إِسْمَعِيلُ بْنُ مُوسَى الْفَزَارِيُّ ابْنُ بِنْتِ السُّدِّيِّ الْكُوفِيِّ حَدَّثَنَا عُمَرُ بْنُ شَاكِرٍ عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَأْتِي عَلَى النَّاسِ زَمَانٌ الصَّابِرُ فِيهِمْ عَلَى دِينِهِ كَالْقَابِضِ عَلَى الْجَمْ
[2] سنن أبي داود - تحقيق عوامة (5/ 57)
4341- حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الرَّبِيعِ سُلَيْمَانُ بْنُ دَاوُدَ الْعَتَكِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ الْمُبَارَكِ، عَنْ عُتْبَةَ بْنِ أَبِي حَكِيمٍ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ جَارِيَةَ اللَّخْمِيُّ، حَدَّثَنِي أَبُو أُمَيَّةَ الشَّعْبَانِيُّ، قَالَ: سَأَلْتُ أَبَا ثَعْلَبَةَ الْخُشَنِيَّ، فَقُلْتُ: يَا أَبَا ثَعْلَبَةَ، كَيْفَ تَقُولُ فِي هَذِهِ الآيَةِ: {عَلَيْكُمْ أَنْفُسَكُمْ} ؟ قَالَ: أَمَا وَاللهِ لَقَدْ سَأَلْتَ عَنْهَا خَبِيرًا، سَأَلْتُ عَنْهَا رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلى الله عَلَيهِ وَسَلمَ، فَقَالَ: بَلِ ائْتَمِرُوا بِالْمَعْرُوفِ، وَتَنَاهَوْا عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ، حَتَّى إِذَا رَأَيْتَ شُحًّا مُطَاعًا، وَهَوًى مُتَّبَعًا، وَدُنْيَا مُؤْثَرَةً، وَإِعْجَابَ كُلِّ ذِي رَأْيٍ بِرَأْيِهِ، فَعَلَيْكَ، يَعْنِي، بِنَفْسِكَ، وَدَعْ عَنْكَ الْعَوَامَّ، فَإِنَّ مِنْ وَرَائِكُمْ أَيَّامَ الصَّبْرِ، الصَّبْرُ فِيهِ مِثْلُ قَبْضٍ عَلَى الْجَمْرِ، لِلْعَامِلِ فِيهِمْ مِثْلُ أَجْرِ خَمْسِينَ رَجُلاً يَعْمَلُونَ مِثْلَ عَمَلِهِ، وَزَادَنِي غَيْرُهُ قَالَ: يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ، أَجْرُ خَمْسِينَ مِنْهُمْ ؟ قَالَ: أَجْرُ خَمْسِينَ مِنْكُمْ.
صحيح مسلم (1/ 90)
69- باب بدأ الإسلام غريبًا
289- [232-145] حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبَّادٍ ، وَابْنُ أَبِي عُمَرَ ، جَمِيعًا عَنْ مَرْوَانَ الْفَزَارِيِّ ، قَالَ ابْنُ عَبَّادٍ : حَدَّثَنَا مَرْوَانُ ، عَنْ يَزِيدَ ، يَعْنِي ابْنَ كَيْسَانَ ، عَنْ أَبِي حَازِمٍ ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ، قَالَ : قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ : بَدَأَ الإِسْلاَمُ غَرِيبًا ، وَسَيَعُودُ كَمَا بَدَأَ غَرِيبًا ، فَطُوبَى لِلْغُرَبَاءِ.