Is it Permissible to Shave My Beard for my Acne Scar Treatment?


Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel

Question

I have to go for acne scar treatment, for which my doctor has asked me to shave off my beard since my beard has grown over some of my scars. Would I be a sinner (fasiq) in doing so?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate

I pray you are in good faith and health.

If you are required to shave your beard for medical reasons, such as acne treatment, you will not be considered a sinner (fasiq) as long as you intend to let your beard grow back.

Your intention is not to disregard the sunna or imitate other non-Muslims or people of disobedience out of admiration of them, but for the above reason, it would be permissible in this case.

Nafi‘ from Ibn ‘Umar (Allah be pleased with both of them) narrated from the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) that he said,  “Be different from the polytheists: let your beards grow full and shorten your moustaches.” [Bukhari]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. You will receive guidance and direction in sha Allah.

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I pray this helps with your question.

Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Abdul-Rahim Reasat

Mawlana Ilyas Patel is a traditionally-trained scholar who has studied in the UK, India, Pakistan, Syria, Jordan, and Turkey. He started his early education in the UK. He went on to complete the hifz of the Quran in India, then enrolled in an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied the secular and ‘Aalimiyya sciences. He then traveled to Karachi, Pakistan. He has been an Imam in Rep of Ireland for several years. He has taught hifz of the Quran, Tajwid, Fiqh, and many other Islamic sciences to children and adults onsite and online extensively in the UK and Ireland. He taught at a local Islamic seminary for 12 years in the UK, where he was a librarian and a teacher of Islamic sciences. He currently resides in the UK with his wife. His interest is a love of books and gardening.