Title: Regarding Some Practices among Muslims Question: Is it bid`ah or Haraam to recite the Kalimah aloud after Jama`at as several Sunni Muslims do? Is it haraam to have a short back and side hair cut? Jazakallah Hafiz Mubashir United Kingdom Answer: Reciting Kalimah aloud after each prayer will be considered Bida`ah if the adherents to it consider it a part of prayer or if they consistently adopt it at after their collective prayers, otherwise reciting the Kalimah , among other supplications and azkaar is perfectly allowed. Nevertheless, in view of the shape this practice has taken in most of the Barelvi mosques, I would strongly recommend that an abiding Muslim should refrain from joining the congregational recitation of the Kalimah . The style of hair cut is purely a cultural issue and it will not be considered Haram because Haram or Halal can be declared only on the authority of God and there is no such directive in the Shari`ah . There is no harm to adopt a particular style of hair according to ones taste provided it does not give an unnatural look to the person. Regards. Siddiq Bukhary. April 7, 2003