48/2. Chapter:
Sunan an-Nasai 5045 — Trim the Mustache and Let the Beard Grow
Trimming the Mustache
Hadith About Beard and Mustache: Trim and Let Grow
Sunan an-Nasai : 5045
Sunan an-NasaiHadith Number 5045
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ بَشَّارٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " أَحْفُوا الشَّوَارِبَ وَأَعْفُوا اللِّحَى " .
Ibn 'Umar Narrated from:
The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "Trim the mustache and let the beard grow."
[1] Some scholars consider Ihfâ' to mean shave, while considering all of the narrations, and those most popularly reported, then the implication is cut, clip, trim short, etc.Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 5045In-book reference : Book 48, Hadith 6English translation : Vol. 6, Book 48, Hadith 5048
Summary of Sunan an-Nasai Hadith 5045
This hadith about beard and mustache care is very brief, but its meaning is clear from the words given. Ibn Umar narrates that the Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: “Trim the mustache and let the beard grow.” The narration places two grooming actions side by side. The mustache is to be trimmed, while the beard is to be left to grow. Because the text is short, the explanation should not add details about length, methods, or legal debate that are not stated here. The main point for readers is simple: Islamic grooming in this narration is not random. It follows the Prophet’s [SAW] direct wording about the mustache and beard.
What we learn from this hadith
- The hadith gives a direct command about mustache and beard care.
- The mustache is mentioned with trimming.
- The beard is mentioned with being left to grow.
- The short wording should be explained without adding extra conditions.
