Is shaving the beard in the army, out of necessity, considered forbidden (haram)?
It is not permissible to shave the beard because the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, commanded us to let it grow and lengthen it, and to differ from the Majus (Zoroastrians) and the polytheists. Furthermore, obedience to the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, is obligatory, and he, peace and blessings be upon him, had a thick beard.
Imitating the disbelievers is among the reprehensible acts. If the job requires shaving the beard, then there is no obedience in disobedience to the Creator, and one must leave this job. Whoever leaves something for the sake of Allah, Allah will compensate him with something better than it.
However, if military service is compulsory and you are taken against your will, then the sin is upon them and not upon you.
Summarized from the full answer at Ftawy · reviewed Sep 2, 2026
Read the full answer on Ftawyhttps://ftawy.com/en/questions/24142