Why do muslims sport unusually long unkempt beards..is it to identify themselves as serious muslims.?

Question

Or does this make them permanent members of the various radical groups ?

Answer 1

All I can say is, please don't hate us Muslims so much.

Not all Muslims with "unusually long, unkempt beard" are radical Muslims, or terrorists for that matter. And not all the "Islamic" militants and terrorists have beard. If you have noticed the terrorists who were caught by Law Enforcers across the world, not too many of them sport their beard.

Keeping beard is just an indovidual choice; trust me! It's not even mandatory by Islamic Law. Nowhere in Quran does it ask us to keep long beard. It's just that our Prophet is belived to have long beard on his face; therefore, many Muslims do feel good keeping beard following him. It is an individual's right to follow a role model or icon, isn't it? The provision / practice of following the Prophet's lifestyle is called Hadith. Hadith examples are non an absolute obligation, unlike Quran which is a mandatory set of guidelines.

My dad is a very regular, religious Muslim. I have never seen him miss his daily prayres. He is a clean shaved person with many non Muslim friends at home and abroad. My younger brother has beard; and he hardly goes to the mosque. You may call him a non-practising Mulim :)

I hope I have made my point clear.

Answer 2

Unkempt Beard

Answer 3

Yes it is very true that we get to see more and more people sporting beards......it is interesting to note that while they crumcise and shave clean certain parts why would they have to grow a long beard.
It is just goes to show that changes in every religion is imminent however some seem to be holding some of these ideals closely though they really do not help an individual.Contradictions are there in any religion but it is how one approaches in explaining the query shows the maturity of that belief.
I am sorry not many share my way of analysing this observation.Cleanliness is next to Godliness atleast for many of us.

Answer 4

Because like the Jews, they are still following the Mosaic Law. That's why both Jews and Muslims (staunch ones only, usually modern ones have neat and short beards and mustaches) have similar long unkempt beards.

Answer 5

Not all do. I think that racial stereotypes are not helpful, and are often held by those who are not at peace with their neighbours, or are insecure about their own identity.

Here in the UK we share our small island with many different types of people, and usually try our best to get on with each other in a neighbourly way - I mean we actually TRY to do it. This does not mean that there is no racism here, its just that we do not, as a society, approve of it.

Your question would be a good one if it were motivated by an attempt to grow in understanding of those who are different from yourself, or who have different cultures and customs.

My own understanding of this is that people of all kinds often experience a desire to mark themselves as being distinct and different from those around them. Distinctive clothing, hair-styles, beards, etc all do this - think of hippies, goths, orthodox Jews, etc. These people are making a statement about themselves that they feel to be important ('I belong to a certain group', or 'we are better than you in some respect', etc). In the case of Moslems and beards it is probably what you say -'we take our religion more seriously than others do'....

Answer 6

For what it's worth, I think out-of-control, natty old beards, especially on young guys, just strikes me as their idea of manliness, but in the West ... only weirdos and dirty, pee-soaked rubbies let their beards grow like a facial tumbleweed. No racism here. I hate tatty old beards on white Anglo Saxon protestants as well. Ick.

I just cringe at the thought of all the germs and food hiding in those hairs, which BTW, resemble another part of the anatomy that you don't want to see.

I'm not ignorant because I prefer cleanliness.


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Answer 7

That's a good question...

The Ahkam of the Beard; states that:

1- It must not be too big, a size of a fist\ Punch away from your chin.

2- It must be clean.. Shaped in a tidy form.

3- It must be always combed like the hair on your head.

4- It must not be connected with the Mostache.

And it does not make them permanent members of the various radical groups; This is the Sunna of our prophet Salla Allah Alayeh Wa Sallam.. And If you don't like it, we wont care.. we wont shave it for your sake.

Freedom provides that everyone is free to do anything as long as it's not harmful.. some people choose to be ignorant and I respect that.. some choose other things.. I suggest you respect that as well.

Answer 8

A beard is usually recommended in Islam cz the Prophet had it... BUT it is NOT part of the faith...

My father never had one (shaves clean n smooth)... my grandfathers n uncles never had one...
AND... one of my grandfathers was a very serious Muslim... but he shaved... so... there is nothing significance about the beard other than the fact that the Prophets had them... n so did the Saints... :)

Answer 9

I'm not really sure. I'm Muslim and I know the qurran did not have anything that said grow a ugly long beard. I think its just what they think is religious. oh well its not like its are bodies. and not necessarily it means there part of a radical group.

Answer 10

They are not unkempt and not all are long some dont have a beard at all. But hey stereotypes never get old do they?