Shaikh Abdul Azeez Bin Baz, is one of most popular Islamic Scholar in the Middle East. People respect his knowledge and Fatawa here in the Middle East. The following is a fatwa excerpted from his book. I am quoting him here for all my Salafi friends who respect the opinion of this scholar more than other Islamic Scholars.
The Ruling on Shaving the Cheeks
Question:
What is the ruling on shaving the beard, and the ruling on shaving the cheeks and leaving the beard and moustache?
Answer:
Shaving the beard is not permissible, according to the saying of the Prophet Salallaahu alayhi wasallam in an authentic Hadith:
"Clip your moustaches and grow your beards, differ from the polytheists." (Al-Bukhari no.5892 and Muslim no.259)
and his words:
"Pare your moustaches and leave your beards, differ from the Zoroastrians." (Muslim no.260)
The beard is what grows on the cheeks and on the chin, as defined by the author of Al-Lisan and Al-Qamus. It is obligatory to leave the hair which grows on the cheeks and chin and not to shave it or cut it. May Allaah correct the situation of all the Muslims.
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Lisanul-'Arab and Al-Qamus al-Muhit: Two famous Arabic dictionaries.
Shaykh `Abdul-`Azeez Bin Baz
Fatawa Islamiyah vol.8, p.240, DARUSSALAM
