Q 5: Some people claim that there is no prohibition reported from the early prominent Imams, like the Four Imams (Abu Hanifah, Malik, Al-Shafi`y, and Ahmad) and others, on removing what exceeds a fist length from one's beard. On the other hand, you forbid this. What is your opinion in this regard?Some people say that the Hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) concerning those who will dye their hair black at the end of time does not entail an apparent prohibition, but it means that they will be described as black because of their evil deeds. They believe in this claim regardless of the Hadith that states: ...but avoid black (dye). Is it true that when women dye their hair yellow or any color other than black it is considered a form of imitating Kafirs (disbelievers)? A: The claim that the preceding Imams did not forbid removing what exceeds a fist length from one's beard is not acceptable and has no effect. Those who claim this have made a great mistake and have opposed the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in the command of letting the beard grow and the prohibition of cutting anything from it. This is proven in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) in the Hadith narrated on the authority of (Part No. 4; Page No. 52

A: The claim that the preceding Imams did not forbid removing what exceeds a fist length from one's beard is not acceptable and has no effect. Those who claim this have made a great mistake and have opposed the guidance of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in the command of letting the beard grow and the prohibition of cutting anything from it. This is proven in the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al-Bukhari and Muslim) in the Hadith narrated on the authority of (Part No. 4; Page No. 52)  Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) narrated that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Do the opposite of what the Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) do: Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short. Moreover, Muslim related in his Sahih on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: Cut the moustache short and let the beard grow; be different from the Magi. Also, the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Closely trim the moustache and let the beard grow; be different from the Mushriks. (Agreed upon by Al-Bukhari and Muslim) Letting the beard grow means to leave it as it is without shaving, plucking, or cutting anything from it. The command to let the beard grow indicates obligation.There is no evidence that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to cut from the width or length of his beard or shorten what exceeds a fist length. The view of those who oppose this ruling has no effect. The effective rulings must be taken from what is said by Allah (Exalted be He) or that which is authentically reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him). Regarding those who claim that the Hadith: At the end of time, there will be people who will dye their hair with black tint does not indicate an explicit prohibition to use black dye, but it means that they are described as black because of their evil deeds, their claim is false and is of no consideration. There are authentically reported Hadiths with regard to the prohibition on dying hair black and a general command of avoiding this. For example, Abu Dawud related through his Sanad (chain of narrators) on the authority of Jabir ibn `Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) who said: Abu Quhafah was brought (to the Prophet) on the Day of the Liberation of Makkah while his hair and beard were like a white cloud. The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, 'Change the color of this grey hair but avoid using the black dye.' (Related by Muslim, Al-Nasa'y, and Ibn Majah) Also, Ahmad related in his "Musnad", Abu Dawud, and Al-Nasa'y on the authority of Ibn `Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him and his father) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: At the end of time, there will come people who will dye (their hair) (Part No. 4; Page No. 53) with black like the crops of pigeons. They shall not smell the fragrance of Jannah (Paradise). As they deserve such a threat, we can conclude the prohibition of their act and the obligation of avoiding it.Consequently, it is Mustahab (desirable) to color grey hair with non-black colors, like henna (a plant that produces a reddish-orange dye) and Katam (a plant from Yemen that produces a reddish-black dye) to give the hair a reddish or yellowish color and the like. It was related by Muslim that Abu Bakr used to dye his hair with henna and Katam, and `Umar used to dye his hair with henna. Also, it was reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to dye his beard with saffron.It is permissible for women to dye their hair with a yellowish tint and other colors, such as henna and Katam, but not black; rather, it is even Mustahab to color grey hair.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.