Question:
asalaam alaikum beloved Shaykh Hisham,
I just read that “Long hair takes away from men’s spiritual energy .”
But I also read in Martin Lings seerah that the Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him, had hair that came down touching his shoulders, which must surely be considered ‘long hair’. I have also thought of all the other prophets (Issa alayhisalaam especially) as having longer hair.
Please help me to understand better.
May Allah forgive us and bless you and make your connection to mawlana shaykh Nazim increase forever,
your loving student,
Answer:
wa `alaykum salam,
It is from the teachings of our shuyukh that shaving the head is the most preferred Sunnah for the hair, because of its precedence in the verse:
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{muhallaqeen ru’usakum wa muqassireen – shaving their heads and cutting [their hair].} Al-Fath [48:27]
This was revealed regarding Hajj/`Umrah, and the Prophet (s) coming after Yawma `Arafat, on hajj, and returning back to Mina was ordered to shave the hair, or cut the hair. Since shaving is mentioned first, it is preferred. And since our masters seek the way of `azimat ash-shari`ah, the top point of Shari`ah, they choose the higher standard, but either way is from the Sunnah.
And the Prophet said, “O Allah! Be merciful to those who have their head shaved.” The people said, “O Prophet of Allah! And (invoke Allah for) those who get their hair cut short.” The Prophet said, “O Allah! Be merciful to those who have their head shaved.” The people said, “O Prophet of Allah! And those who get their hair cut short.” The Prophet said (the third time), “And to those who get their hair cut short.” Nafi` said that the Prophet had said once or twice, “O Allah! Be merciful to those who get their head shaved,” and on the fourth time he added, “And to those who have their hair cut short.” (Sahih Bukhari)
w ‘Allahu `alam,
Taher Siddiqui
