Wife's permission for a man to wear a beard

7-7-2004 | IslamWeb

Question:

Does a man need to ask his wife's permission to let his beard grow? Or, rather if a woman dislikes her husband's beard saying that it makes the man seem older or some other reasons, does the man have to listen to her?

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Answer:

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Growing beard does not need the wife’s or any one else’s permission since it is an obligation on a Muslim and he has to abide by it. Implementation of the obligatory rulings of Shariah does not need any permission.

As for the claim of a woman that a husband looks aged because of his beard this is not correct.  Allaah beautifies men by their beards as he beautifies women by their forelocks.

Moreover, there are many benefits in growing a beard, such as looking good, getting veneration, being respectful and also being distinguished from women, etc.  These qualities are not found in children and women.

A Muslim’s wife is supposed to encourage her husband to follow the rulings of Shariah and should not help Satan against him.  As for the rulings of beard, please refer to Fataawa 84474 and 82143.

Allaah knows best.