[Q 639] Shaping Beard In Dhul Hijjah

QUESTION:

Can you shape your beard line during in the next 10 days

ANSWER:

When the moon of Dhul Hijjah is sighted, then for the person who intends to perform Qurbani (sacrifice), it is Mustahab (recommended) that from the 1st of Dhul Hijjah until performing the Qurbani, he should not cut his hair, nails, etc. Shaping the beard line is also included under this ruling. Therefore, in order to act upon this Mustahab (recommended act), you should also avoid shaping your beard line during these ten days.

However, if so many days have passed since cutting unwanted hair or nails that forty days will be completed during these ten days, then it is necessary to trim them now, and delaying further will be sinful.

In Sahih Muslim, it is narrated from حضرت ام سلمہ رضي الله تعالى عنها that the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said:

’’من کان لہ ذبح، یذبحہ فاذا اھل ھلال ذی الحجۃ، فلا یاخذن من شعرہ و لا من اظفارہ شیئاً حتی یضحی‘‘
(Sahih Muslim, Kitab al-Adahi, Bab Nahi Man Dakhala… al-Kh, Vol. 2, Pg. 160, Published in Karachi)

In Mirat al-Manajih it is stated:

“The wealthy person who intends to offer Qurbani (sacrifice) as Wajib (necessary), or the poor person who intends to offer it voluntarily, should not cut or have cut their nails, hair, dead skin, etc. from the sighting of the Eid moon until performing the sacrifice, so that some resemblance is attained with the pilgrims, because those in Ihram cannot have their hair cut. Also, so that the sacrifice becomes a ransom for every hair and nail. This ruling is one of Istihbab (recommendation), not obligation. Therefore, it is better for the one offering sacrifice not to have a haircut, but it is not compulsory. From this, it is also understood that resembling the righteous is good.”

(Mirat al-Manajih, Vol. 2, Pg. 370, Naeemi Kutub Khanah, Gujrat)

In Fatawa Razawiyyah it is mentioned:

“This ruling is only Mustahab (recommended). If one acts upon it, it is better, and if one does not, then there is no issue. It cannot be called disobedience, nor is there any deficiency in the sacrifice because of it. Rather, if a person has not trimmed his nails or shaped his beard line for 31 days, whether due to an excuse or without excuse, and then the moon of Dhul Hijjah is sighted, then even if he intends to perform Qurbani, he cannot act upon this Mustahab (recommended act). If he waits until the 10th, then it will become the 41st day since trimming the nails or beard line, and leaving them beyond forty days is sinful. One cannot commit a sin in order to act upon a Mustahab (recommended act).”

(Fatawa Razawiyyah, Vol. 20, Pg. 353, Raza Foundation, Lahore)

Similarly, a person who cannot perform Qurbani (sacrifice), if he also acts upon this ruling, will receive the reward of Qurbani.

Thus, in Sunan Abu Dawud and Sunan Nasai, it is narrated from حضرت عبد اللہ بن عمرو بن عاص رضي الله تعالى عنه that the Noble Prophet صلى الله عليه وآله وسلم said:

’’امرت بیوم الاضحی عیداً، جعلہ اللہ عزوجل لھذہ الامۃ، فقال الرجل: ا رایت ان لم اجد الّا منیحۃ انثی، ا فاضحی بھا؟ قال: لا، لکن تاخذ من شعرک و تقلم اظفارک و تقص شاربک و تحلق عانتک، فذلک تمام اضحیک عند اللہ عزوجل‘‘
(Sunan Nasai, Kitab al-Dahaya, Bab Man Lam Yajid al-Udhiyah, Vol. 2, Pg. 201, Published in Lahore)

Answered by: Mubashir Attari (AskMufti Scholar)
Verified by: Mufti Sajid Attari
Translated answer
Date: 21st May 2026.