Question:-
What is the ruling with regards to an Imaam that trims his beard?
Answer:-
Any person that cuts his beard before (it reaching) a fist length, is considered a Faasiq and the Imaamat of such a person is Makrooh-e-Tahreemi. A pious and religious person should be appointed as an Imaam.
Fataawa Rahimiyya states that continuously trimming or shaving the beard is considered as a major sin. It is for this reason that the Imaam (that shaves or trims his beard below a fist length) is categorised as a Faasiq and his Imaamat is Makrooh. [Re:- Fataawa Rahimiyyah Pg.175 Vol.1]
In conclusion, if the Imaam is not prepared to grow his beard and is adamant on shaving it, then he should be removed and replaced with a pious and righteous Imaam.
ALLAH TA’ALA KNOWS BEST!
ANSWERED BY:
Mufti Mohammed Desai
Date: 24 Shawwal 1443 / 26 May 2022
