Muslim Beards: Islamic Beard Styles for Muslims
When we think about a Muslim beard, a large and unkempt beard often comes to mind. Many people believe that Muslims are forced to wear beards by their religion. This is actually not true. The Quran doesn’t dictate that people must wear a beard.
However, it is a ‘Sunnah,’ which means following a tradition practiced by all the prophets, including the final Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). Many people of other religions believe that if a person is Muslim, they must be wearing a beard. That’s not true; many Muslims adopt it, and many don’t. But it’s highly encouraged to grow and lengthen the beard and trim the mustache according to the Hadiths (sayings of Prophet ﷺ). If the length of the beard is over a fist, it’s recommended to trim it.
Is It Mandatory For A Muslim to Grow A Beard?
According to Sahih Hadiths (sayings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ):
Narrated by Ibn ‘Umar that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “Trim the mustache and leave the beard to grow.”
Reference: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2763
In-book reference: Book 43, Hadith 33
Ibn Umar said: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) said: Act against the polytheists, trim closely the mustache and grow beard.
Sahih Muslim 259c
In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 69
A’isha (ra:) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Ten are the acts according to fitra: clipping the mustache, letting the beard grow, using the tooth-stick, snuffing water in the nose, cutting the nails, washing the finger joints, plucking the hair under the armpits, shaving the pubes and cleaning one’s private parts with water. The narrator said: I have forgotten the tenth, but it may have been rinsing the mouth.
Reference: Sahih Muslim 261a
In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 71
A Muslim beard that follows the sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) should be a long and full beard. The mustache is preferably trimmed.
You’ll see many practicing Muslims opting for a very short mustache, reminiscent of stubble, and combine it with a full and long beard. Others believe that a Muslim beard is something absolutely unkempt and allows their facial hair to grow as it pleases. This is not a very good idea as Islam encourages cleanliness.
A Muslim beard should be long, neat, and outlined. Otherwise, the impression it creates is quite unpleasant.
Before starting to grow such a beard, take some time to browse the different images we are offering here. You might be surprised to discover an amazing variation of many Muslim beard styles. A Muslim beard should follow the Sunnah of the Prophet (S:) and adhere to the Hadiths (authentic collection of his sayings).
Even the image of Jesus (considered a highly ranked Prophet or Messenger of God in Islam) also features a long, full beard, as mentioned in the Hadiths of the final Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)!
Note: The photos shown in the list below are not perfect Muslim beards (as mentioned in Hadiths). Muslims should adopt a beard that is long, full, neat, and clean. If it’s over a fist length, then trim it to maintain a neat and clean shape. The mustache should be trimmed or shaved. Natural colors like Mehendi are permissible to use on the beard, but not artificial colors.
