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His beard grows on one side and not on the other; can he shave it to make them even?

25-11-2008

Question 125995

What is the ruling on having a beard which grows thickly on the right side but only grows a little on the left, i.e., it is not even? I have been told it is because I am young, and if I shave it, it will grow.

Answer

Praise be to Allah.

It is not permissible to shave the beard or to remove any hair from it, even if that is to make it grow or to even it out, because no concession to that effect has been narrated, even though it happens a great deal to young men whose beards are just beginning to grow. If there was any reason to make it permissible to shave, there would be a concession concerning it. Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): “and your Lord is never forgetful” [Maryam 19:64]. 

With regard to the prohibition on shaving the beard, please see the answer to question no. 82720

Is it permissible to take medicine that will make the beard grow more quickly on the left side? That depends: 

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) was asked about taking medicine to make the beard grow and to treat the unevenness that occurs in it. He replied: If there is the hope that it will grow by itself, then do not try, because this is not a fault, since many young men, when their beards first begin to grow, do not grow beards that are even all over, so he should wait and see. 

But if there is a fault, in the sense that we are aware of it and have given up hope that it will grow by itself, then there is nothing wrong with treating it so that the rest will grow, especially if it looks odd. 

But if it does not look odd, then it is better not to treat it with anything, because I am afraid that this may be a kind of hair extensions, and the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) cursed the one who does hair extensions and the one who asks for that to be done. End quote from Liqa’ al-Baab il-Maftooh (41/15). 

And Allaah knows best.

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