• Faiths & Beliefs >> Hadith & Sunnah

    Question ID: 69681Country: India

    Title: Growing beard while serving in Indian Air Force

    Question: I am working in Indian Air Force . When I joined service at early age I was not having beard. I have completed my 10 years of service .I feel because of this service I came close to Islam because I meet different types of people at different places in India like tabligh jamat and other religious people. Now I want to keep beard but in Air Force there is no permission to keep beard at this stage. I have to go for daily shaving. I have two options either get discharge from service (without any pension benefit) or continue with daily shaving. So please suggest what should I do? Should I leave the service or continue?

    Answer ID: 69681

    Bismillah hir-Rahman nir-Rahim !

    (Fatwa: 1032/864/=12/1437)

    If it is not permissible to grow beard as per the Rules (bylaws) of India Air Force and you signed on the agreement in the beginning of your service then in this case you have only the two options, so if you are financially well off and you can find out any other income source comfortably after leaving this job then in such a case you may prefer quitting this job. But in case you cannot arrange for suitable income source then in such a case continue your present job and keep on doing taubah and istighfar. Also keep on looking for suitable job and when you get one leave this job.

    And if as per the rules (bylaws) of Indian Air Force there is no restriction on growing beard rather you enjoy religious freedom of each type and there is no ban in adopting your religious customs as it is written in Indian Constitution, yet the department does not allow you to grow the beard then you should consult any expert advocate and materialize the religious freedom mentioned in the Indian Law.

    Allah (Subhana Wa Ta'ala) knows Best

    Darul Ifta,

    Darul Uloom Deoband, India