Title: Questions Regarding Styling of Beard Question: I have three questions regarding beard; those that I have not found in your responses. What is the definition of the beard i.e. which parts of the face constitute a beard? Most of the people either shave or pluck their hair from the upper part of the cheeks to straighten and to have a clean look of the beard. Some even shave hair from their neck. This is so because some (ulaima) scholars do allow it. What daleel (evidence) these scholars have in this regard? Some people have few strands of hair (Anfaka) just below the lower lip and have a big gap between them and the hair on the chin. Since the hair are not dense, as they grow long they become curly and unmanageable. Whether the hair just below the lip are part of beard or not; and whether we can shave or pluck them or not? Thanks. Jazzakallah khairun Nauman Ilyas. Pakistan Answer: The word 'beard' is not a religious term, which needs to be defined. On the contrary, we use the word 'beard' to refer to the hair on a man's chin, cheek and throat (American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition). As for your second and third question, all these and related practices constitute shaping, styling and maintaining a well kempt beard and, therefore, all these practices should be encouraged. However, the preference relating to the shape and the style of beard can vary from one culture to another and also from one person to another, within the same culture. The style of one's beard is not related to the Shari`ah . I hope this helps. Regards, Moiz Amjad May 19, 2002