bamshaheed
8th January 2007, 08:03 AM
My dearest brothers and sisters,
as salaamu 'alaikum
Yes, another discussion about the beard, however, along a bit of a different line. I realize that there are two positions concerning the beard: 1. Growing the beard is wajib. 2. Growing the beard is mustahab. Without discussing the rationale and evidences supporting the two positions, I propose we discuss the implications of both positions beyond just those two assertions. For example:
If one takes the position that growing the beard is indeed wajib, does that place growing a beard on the same level as salaah, zakaat, sawm, etc.? The Hanafi maththab is the only maththab I am aware of that makes a distinction between wajib and fard. For the Hanafi, salaat, zakaat, sawm, etc. are considered fard because they are based on qat'i evidences. So, according to the Hanafi, if one denies a fard obligation then the imputation of kufr is applicable. A wajib, according to the Hanafi, does not carry such a binding obligation (because it is based on zanni evidences) nor can the imputation of kufr be placed on the one who denies a wajib. However, Sheikh al-Albaani, and others, have said that to make a distinction between fard and wajib is a bid'a. If the distinction between fard and wajib is a bid'a, then does that not place growing a beard on the same level as salaat, zakaat, etc.? And if not, why not? Can we then classify the beard as "wajib" if it does not hold the same position as the other things that are indeed wajib?
The discussions about the beard often stop at the assertions "it's wajib" or "it's mustahab", but I have not seen many discussions concerning the implications of either position. I look forward to a good discussion on the matter.
Jazakallahu Khair,
bamshaheed
as salaamu 'alaikum
Yes, another discussion about the beard, however, along a bit of a different line. I realize that there are two positions concerning the beard: 1. Growing the beard is wajib. 2. Growing the beard is mustahab. Without discussing the rationale and evidences supporting the two positions, I propose we discuss the implications of both positions beyond just those two assertions. For example:
If one takes the position that growing the beard is indeed wajib, does that place growing a beard on the same level as salaah, zakaat, sawm, etc.? The Hanafi maththab is the only maththab I am aware of that makes a distinction between wajib and fard. For the Hanafi, salaat, zakaat, sawm, etc. are considered fard because they are based on qat'i evidences. So, according to the Hanafi, if one denies a fard obligation then the imputation of kufr is applicable. A wajib, according to the Hanafi, does not carry such a binding obligation (because it is based on zanni evidences) nor can the imputation of kufr be placed on the one who denies a wajib. However, Sheikh al-Albaani, and others, have said that to make a distinction between fard and wajib is a bid'a. If the distinction between fard and wajib is a bid'a, then does that not place growing a beard on the same level as salaat, zakaat, etc.? And if not, why not? Can we then classify the beard as "wajib" if it does not hold the same position as the other things that are indeed wajib?
The discussions about the beard often stop at the assertions "it's wajib" or "it's mustahab", but I have not seen many discussions concerning the implications of either position. I look forward to a good discussion on the matter.
Jazakallahu Khair,
bamshaheed