Logic on the Importance of the Beard

The Logic Used by Imam Farahi to convince Shaykh Islahi about the Importance of the Beard

Once Imam Hameed ud-din Farahi was trying to convince Shaykh Ameed Ahsan Islahi about the importance of the beard. Shaykh Islahi argued that the beard does not hold a pivotal position in Islam. Imam Farahi explained to him the meanings of the traditions of the Prophet sallAllahu 'alayhi wa sallam about allowing the beard to grow. When Imam Farahi felt that Shaykh Islahi was still not convinced, he said to him:

"Let's suppose that the beard does not hold an important position in Islam. But can you deny the fact that this small thing informs you of big things."

Shaykh Islahi asked: "How?" Imam Farahi replied:

"Just as throwing a pinch of ashes in the air tells us about the direction of such a huge thing as the wind, similarly, based on the presence or absence of the beard on a Muslim's face, we learn whetehr that Muslim has an inclination towards Islam or not."

When Shaykh Islahi heard this reply, he was convinced and became silent. He afterwards wrote:

"As far as a Muslim is concerned, the beard serves as a barometer for the preferences and predilection of his heart for Islam. Based on that there is no doubt that the beard holds a very important position in Islam and it deserves that position."[99]

[Taken from the book, "Growing a Beard: In Light of the Qur'an, Sunnah and Modern Science" by Dr. Gohar Mushtaq.]

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Footnotes:
[99] Sheikh Ameen Ahsan Islahi, Biography of Imam Faraahi quoted in Faraahi, Hameed-ud-din, Majmooa Tafaaseer Faraahi (Lahore, Faraan Foundation, 1991)