Most-asked question

What if my employer does not allow a beard or topi?

17 fatawa in the archive answer questions on this, from 2 South African Darul Iftas (AskImam, Mufti Online). Below, each Darul Ifta’s answer is quoted word for word from the opening of one of its fatawa.

Based on the fatawa linked below. Please read the sources and double-check with a Darul Ifta for your situation.

Consult a mufti for your situation. Fatawa SA is a read-only archive and issues no rulings of its own.

What the Darul Iftas say

“To keep a beard equivalent to the length of one's fist is compulsory. If you cannot keep a beard due to your employment, you should seek employment elsewhere. If you do not have an alternative, make istighfar (repent) and continue searching for alternative employment. Your earnings will not be haram.”

AskImam — Is my money haram that i make because my job will not allow me to keep a beard. · 28 Oct 2005

“We advise you to explain to the company that this is a compulsory religious requirement and they should respect your religious sentiments. Just as other obligations such as Jumu’ah and the other fardh salaah cannot be left out on account of a labour requirement, similar is the case of keeping a beard.”

Mufti Online — Working for a chemical engineering company and not keeping a beard · 13 Feb 2013

Quotes are the opening words of each answer as published; the full answer, its conditions and references are on the fatwa page. Answers depend on the exact details of each question.

Read the fatawa

  1. What do I do? I need to trim my beard to get this sales job. AskImam · 25 Jan 2025
  2. Working for a chemical engineering company and not keeping a beard Mufti Online · 13 Feb 2013
  3. Hijab with workers in the house AskImam · 13 Apr 2019
  4. Trimming the beard to get a job Mufti Online · 25 May 2016
  5. Why is it allowed for Muslim females to not make Hijab from the the slaves or workers? AskImam · 27 Feb 2009
  6. Working for SAPS and growing a beard Mufti Online · 14 Nov 2015
  7. Am i allowed to work as a Doctor whilst donning the Niqab? AskImam · 29 Mar 2008
  8. Is my money haram that i make because my job will not allow me to keep a beard. AskImam · 28 Oct 2005
  9. First, May Allah reward you on the good work you brothers are doing. Inshallah. Now here is my question. Keeping a beard is not wajib? AskImam · 25 Oct 2000
  10. the muazzin has been told not to shave(beard) yet he persists in doing so.What is the position of 1)azaan & salaat and 2)employment. AskImam · 6 Jul 2002
  11. some women wear hair extension, to make their hair grow and it works.i have heard that hair extension is prohibited in islam, is this true? if no, a woman who wears hijab and.... AskImam · 10 Mar 2009
  12. I work in a professional environment and Alhumdolliah have a beard to the extent of a fist's size. The problem is some of the hair of my beard are very curly... AskImam · 21 Feb 2008
  13. I work in a muslim company with muslim people. we have our own jamaat khanna for salaah. Is it wrong to feel uncomfortable performing salaah behind an imaan that does not have a beard. We have a huffaz who makes imaamat AskImam · 18 Feb 2008
  14. married woman and i am working in US. I have started to wear Hijaab, my husband wants me to work because he is always in doubt about his job ...is it halaal to work here or not AskImam · 16 Aug 2003
  15. What is the purpose of Masturat Jamat? Questions regarding women, Hijab and their education: Was masturat work designed for women only away from deen? AskImam · 28 Oct 2002

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