Title: Islamic Directive Regarding Beard Question: What are the directives regarding growing and keeping beards for Muslim men. Please explain in the light of sayings of Prophet (PBUH). I know that Qur'an is silent about this matter. Answer: The two sources of the Shari`ah - the Qur'an and the Sunnah - are silent as far as the matter of beard is concerned. Beard, in fact, is something, which is in the nature of a man (i.e. the male gender of the human species). Allah has created man with hair on his face, which is the single most prominent difference between the face of a man and a woman. This difference should show from a man's face. Because Islam is a religion, which encourages its followers to preserve the nature on which Allah has created them, therefore, in the light of this simple principle, all those things which are part of human nature must be followed or preserved even though they are not mentioned in the Shari`ah. Thus, it is because of this reason that a man should keep beard. There are however, a few narratives of the Prophet (pbuh) in this regard. The directives in these narratives refer to particular and specific contexts. For instance, if the Prophet (pbuh) saw some deviances in this nature of man or where a particular style of beard was wrongly held to be divinely ordained, the Prophet (pbuh) gave the ascribed remarks to correct the concept. It is primarily in such contexts that the Prophet (pbuh) gave the ascribed directives regarding beard. It is not the Shari`ah that is explained in such narratives, but the directive to adhere to the nature on which God has created man. It should be remembered that one of the primary teachings of the prophets of is to bring man to the path that his nature has prescribed for him. I hope this explanation answers your question. You can always get back if you are still unclear. However, this is only my opinion in this regard and I admit any chance of mistake in forming this opinion. I would be open to other points of view if based on stronger reasons. May Allah guide us all towards the right path. Note : This response was written by Mr. Amar Ellahi Lone