Is it permissible to trim the beard when traveling to a country that harasses bearded men, in order to avoid harassment for the wife's family?
Growing a beard is a religious obligation, and shaving it is forbidden. It is not permissible to shave or trim it unless there is a necessity or compulsion, such as a strong likelihood of arrest or harm. For compulsion to be valid, the threat must come from someone capable of carrying it out, there must be a strong presumption that harm will occur, and the harm must be significant, such as death, severe beating, or lengthy imprisonment. If harm can be averted by trimming instead of shaving, then trimming suffices. If the reason for shaving is travel, there must be a genuine need for that travel; otherwise, it is not permissible.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Source platform
- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 23702
- Added here
- . This is when the answer was added to El Fatwa, not the fatwa's date.
- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy