Hazrat Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani’s رحمه الله Firmness in Regard To The Mas’alah of The Beard
Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله once mentioned:
Towards the end of his life, Hazrat Moulana Husain Ahmad Madani رحمه الله became more strict and firm with regard to the beard. Some of his companions said to me, “We notice that your approach is completely different to the approach of Hazrat Madani رحمه الله in regard to the beard. Why was it that Hazrat Madani رحمه الله was so staunch in regard to keeping the beard, as though the only thing in Deen to him was the beard?”
The person objecting to Hazrat Madani‟s رحمه الله approach was one of my associates. I responded to him saying: “O ignorant one! My not being so firm in regard to the beard is due to my own weakness. However Hazrat Madani رحمه الله being so firm in regard to this Sunnah (i.e. keeping the beard) was a reflection of his perfect Imaan. Remember, for one to reprimand someone due to not adhering to the commandments of Deen is excellent character and not bad character. Not reprimanding someone (for doing something against the Sunnah) is a sign of weak Imaan. On the other hand, if in a certain place there is a fear that by reprimanding someone, it will cause a commotion or it will lead to the situation getting worse, then that is a separate issue. In that situation, one should sincerely make dua for that person. This is also a branch of Imaan. If one turns a blind eye without any valid reason, then this is a sign of hypocrisy. Continue examining yourself to see whether you are overlooking and favouring your near and dear ones.” (Malfoozaat of Hazrat Shaikh 1/27)
The Harm of Shaving the Beard
Hazrat Shaikh Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya رحمه الله mentioned: Today, people do not regard the shaving of the beard as a sin. Once, two disbelieving messengers, with shaven beards, came to Nabi صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَم
Nabi صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَم turned his blessed face away (from them). Oh my beloved friends! After death when one appears before Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَم, then if at that time Rasulullah صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَم had to turn his blessed face away from one, what will one do? (Malfoozaat of Hazrat Shaikh 2/160)
