BEARD

Another aspect that the Fuqaha (jurists) have unanimously regarded as an open sin is the shaving off of the beard or trimming it to less than the extent of one fist length. The beard is not "just a sunnat." According to all the four Imaams of fiqh it is waajib to keep a beard to the extent of one fist length. This compulsion has been derived from various Ahadith wherein Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has greatly stressed the keeping of the beard. In many Ahadith Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has given the imperative command of lengthening the beard.

It is reported that once a fire-worshipper, who had shaved his beard and lengthened his moustache, came to Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam). Upon seeing him in this condition Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "What is this you have done?" He replied: "This is our religion." Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "In our religion WE ARE COMMANDED to lengthen the beard and cut the moustache" (Hukmul Lihya Fil Islam).

In another Hadith it is recorded that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) DISLIKED looking at the emissaries that came from the court of Kisra because they shaven their beards. He said to them: "Woe unto you! Who has told you to make your appearance like this?" They replied: "Our lord, the emperor Kisra ordered us to do so." Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) said: "But I have been COMMANDED by my Lord, Allah, to lengthen the beard and cut the moustache" (Al Bidaya wan Nihaya). Consider this narration carefully. Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) DISLIKED looking at the emissaries BECAUSE they had shaven off their beards. The gravity of this matter is apparent from these Ahadith.

COLLECTIVE BURDEN
When this is the injunction for ordinary Muslims, it becomes even more important and significant for an Imaam. Due to the great stress in the Ahadith on having a lengthened beard, the Fuqaha (jurists) have stated that it is makrooh tahrimi to appoint such a person as the Imaam who shaves his beard or trims it to less than one fist length. Makrooh tahrimi is a category that is next to Haraam, therefore such an aspect is also forbidden. If one who shaves his beard is nevertheless appointed as the Imaam, the salaah of the muqtadis (followers) will be makrooh. However, the collective burden of the deficiency in the salaah of the entire congregation will be upon the Imaam and upon those who appointed him to lead the salaah1.

What a huge burden to carry! Can any person afford to take on such a burden? And that also in the month of Ramadhaan, the month wherein you should be earning more rewards, not extra sins? Thus, dear Hafiz, never shave off your beard or trim it to less than the extent of one fist.

PANTS BELOW THE ANKLES
Likewise it is also Makrooh Tahrimi to wear one’s pants below the ankles at all times, whether in salaah or outside it. The salaah that is performed by a person whose pants are below his ankles is makrooh. In numerous Ahadith Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) has warned against wearing the pants below the ankles. It is reported from Abu Hurairah (R.A.) that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Whatever is below the ankles from the izaar (pants or any garment which covers the bottom half of the body), that (portion of the leg which is covered below the ankle) is in the fire" (Sahih Bukhari). In another narration it is reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Beware of lowering your izaar below your ankles, for verily that is from pride. And Allah Ta’ala does not love pride" (Abu Dawood). Therefore, dear Hafiz, totally refrain from this as well at all times, especially while in salaah.

GIFTS
Upon the completion of the Qur’an in Taraweeh salaah many Huffaaz are presented with gifts. If a person makes it a condition that he will only perform Taraweeh if he is given some gift upon completion, such a condition will be impermissible. The thawaab of performing the salaah is totally lost. But what if no formal condition was made? In this regard the Fuqaha have stated the following principle: "al ma’roof kal mashroot," which simply means that something that is customary will be considered to be a condition. Hence since it is a common practice in many places that the Huffaaz are given money, etc., upon the completion of the Qur’an, such "gifts" will be regarded as remuneration for performing Taraweeh. Therefore it will not be permissible to accept such "gifts." All the thawaab (reward) for performing the salaah will be lost in this case as well if such a "gift" is accepted. The Hafiz should therefore respectfully decline such "gifts." Rather, he should make it known from the moment that he accepts to perform the Taraweeh that he will not accept any gifts upon completion. Thus the trustees will be aware of this in advance and any possible embarrassing situation will be averted. Do not ruin your thawaab for a few coppers. Remember that what is in store for you in the Aakhirah is more valuable than the entire world and what it contains.

CONCLUSION
Finally, dear Hafiz, always keep in mind the elevated status and position that Allah Ta’ala has granted you. Never forget that you are a member of Allah Ta’ala’s "family." Hence let the radiance of the Qur’an shine forth from every action and remain eligible for the great rewards that Allah Ta’ala has promised a true Hafiz. Furthermore, when you are appointed as the Imaam to lead the Taraweeh salaah, keep in mind all that has been mentioned above. Also carefully study the masaa’il of Taraweeh that are recorded hereunder.

May Allah Ta’ala keep you steadfast and grant you the best of both the worlds. May He enable you to remain steadfast upon the injunctions of the Qur’an. May He raise you on the day of Qiyama with Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam) and accept the intercession of the Qur’an in your favour.

Aameen.
Was Salaam

¶ 1:44 PM

 Anonymous said...
Assalaamu alaikum wr wb,

Hope all is well sisters:) Ramadhaan mubarak to you all too!

Ameen to the du'as. Remember reading the article. Nicely written, beautiful advice for all. Too bad there's not too many like it. We included it for the info that's gonna come up on sunniforum inshaAllah..

Sis Amatullah, this is gonna sound funny but, last night in my dream I saw this graded paper with your 'name' on it...weird. It's cool that we both are on the same path, with the same duty, the same passion, alhamdulillah. Hope it's all going well and easy for you, esp with fasting and all... you know how in Ramadhaan nafil ibadah is 'graded' like a fardh one, inshaAllah this studying will be too...

Of course taraweeh helps a bunch, alhamdulillah, even though we're not leading, just listening does wonders;) Lol, sis, were you the one who asked to swab advice about hifz...etc by e-mail a while back? Does your e-mail start like 'welcome7..." ?

Hifz is a totally different world... lol. Alhamdulillah... we should be going crazy in search of a way to thank Him... then again remain sane and do that which He, subhana wa ta'alaa, asks :P

Prepared 26th juzz for tomorrow inshaAllah, make dua please, esp in this month... tongue all sore, iftar time! Gotta ruuuun...

...ooops, sorry for the lengthy 'comment'!

Wassalaam
the sis waiting for ur duas, under the tree :P  

 lanallah said...
As salaamu Alaikum sis Hafiz

Jazakillah 4 taking the time 2 comment!Eagerly awaiting the article on SF

Wow masha Allah the dream does sound weird but scary 2 me - i can't help wondering what mark was on my paper, hope it's an A+ insha Allah!my sis (drop_in_the_ocean) is also studying Hifz and she was the one who emailed you for advice .

Yes Alhumdulillah I noticed that Hafiza's are generally 'connected' by the Qur'aan that we have in our hearts.when we were reading ur blog, we could really relate 2 ur experiences and feelings , it was amazing really .

Like u said, it's cool that we all are on the same path, with the same duty, the same passion, alhamdulillah.Although i have no idea why Allah Ta'ala chose a sinner like me to preserve His Book and indeed , how can we all ever thank him???

Bit tough in Ramadhaan but Alhumdulillah sacrifice and Dua in the month of the Qur'aan will definately keep us in good stead!

Plzzz remember us in ur Duas!Will make Dua 4 u as well ,insha Allah the revision and taraweeh goes well!

Take care
Yours in the 'world of Hifz'  

 blogger said...
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 lanallah said...
Was salaamu alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatu sis Hafiz

sorry 4 the late reply.Alhumdulillah everything is going fine with the Mercy and Grace of Allah.Hope all is fine with you.

" Sis Allah gives what we ask for... Wouldn't a sinner need it more? Personally, one of the reasons in doing it is because I know I AM a sinner. Thus I need it badly than anyone else... where better place to start than the Quran?"

I do know of a couple of sisters that have completed but unfortunately they don't have the net.If you want you could email my sis the qs and we could ask if they'd answer it 4 u ( and email it back 2 u )insha Allah.My sister's address is still available.

Please remember us in ur duas , REALLY REALLY looking 4ward to the Hifz section Alhumdulillah!May Allah reward you for your effort n initiative

Was salaam
Amatullah  

 lanallah said...
slmz sis Hafiz

sorry, in my previous comment I quoted ur advice , coz I wanted 2 say : Masha Allah I never looked at it that way , Jazakillah khair 4 that , i'll keep that in mind insha Allah

Was salaam  

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