Is It Permissible to Shave the Beard for Firefighting If a Seal Is Needed for Breathing Equipment?
Answered by Mawlana Ilyas Patel
Question
Is it permissible to shave the beard for firefighting if a seal is needed for breathing equipment? During smoke diving, a proper seal for masks is essential, and alternative gear may not suffice. Is shaving the beard allowed in this situation?
Answer
In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful and Compassionate
I pray you are in good faith and health. Thank you for your question and for seeking guidance for an important job and work in the community.
It will be impermissible to shave the beard for a firefighting job. However, you may want to request them to allow you on religious grounds and allow you to keep the bare minimum if you are currently working or intend to work.
- Seek Accommodation: Request a religious exemption from your employer, supported by a letter from your local masjid.
- Compromise: Allow you to keep a bare minimum beard and facilitate equipment and work within the firefighting service that allows it. If no other option exists, you may work in such a place temporarily while actively searching for a more suitable job.
- Alternative Jobs: If denied, consider finding work with an employer who respects your religious values. Trust that leaving something for Allah’s sake brings something better in return.
Abu Qatada (Allah be pleased with him) reports that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said, “Verily, you will never leave anything for the sake of Allah Most High but that Allah will replace it with something better for you.” [Ahmad]
I would like you to go through the valuable answers and links below. In sha Allah, you will receive guidance and direction.
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I pray this helps with your question.
Wassalam,
[Mawlana] Ilyas Patel
Checked and Approved by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani
Mawlana Ilyas Patel has received a traditional education in various countries. He started his schooling in the UK and completed his hifz of the Quran in India. After that, he joined an Islamic seminary in the UK, where he studied secular and Aalimiyya sciences. Later, he traveled to Karachi, Pakistan, and other Middle Eastern countries to further his education. Mawlana has served as an Imam in the Republic of Ireland for several years and taught the Quran and other Islamic sciences to both children and adults. He also worked as a teacher and librarian at a local Islamic seminary in the UK for 12 years. Presently, he lives in the UK with his wife and is interested in books and gardening.
