By Emmanuel Nduka
The Taliban Government in Afghanistan has set out a new decree ordering barbers and barbershops to refrain from shaving or trimming customers’ beards, citing that it is forbidden in Islam.
The decree was contained in a copy of the instructions signed by the extremist Minister Sheikh Muhammad Khalid Haqqani, for the Ministry for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice,
Haqqani himself, had been declared wanted for terrorism by the American Government prior to the Taliban’s taking over of power in August 2021.
In the new decree, several verses from the Quran and hadith were referenced, reminding residents of their duty to follow whatever the Prophet Muhammad has asked Muslims to do.
Thus, barbers and barbershops have been instructed to consider the Islamic Sharia and Islamic injunctions while attending to their customers and cutting hair.
“Growing a beard is a natural deed and the Sunnah [the way of life and legal precedent] of all Prophets and Islamic Sharia has repeatedly emphasised it.
“Shaving or trimming a beard is forbidden under a unanimous decision by the religious scholars. Companions of the Prophet Muhammad, their followers, their successors, Mujahideen [holy warriors] and other scholars do not agree on shaving or trimming the beard. So, it is understood that shaving or trimming a beard is against human nature and the action is against Islamic Sharia,” the decree stated.
VOA reports that the instructions were issued in Pashto by a Taliban official, but its authenticity is yet to be confirmed publicly.
The VOA report notes that Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid did not dispute the order’s authenticity but said he was still “trying to get information” about the decree.
Earlier in September this year, the Taliban had alerted barbers in the Helmand province of the country that they would be punished if they cut or shaved beards. Notices were pasted outside barbershops.
