Is it permissible for men to gel their beards to make them look (1) neater and/ or (2) shorter?

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said:

“Whoever has hair should look after it.” (Sunan Abu Dawud p.220 v.2)

On one occasion the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam saw a person whose hair was dishelved. The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam remarked:   “Does he not find such a thing (oil etc.) by which he can gather / straighten his hair.” (Mishkat p.375)

In another hadith Saaiduna Abu Qatadah (RA) once asked The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam: “I have long hair, should I comb it?” The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam replied, “Yes, and look after your hair”. Hence Abu Qatadah (RA) used to sometimes apply oil twice a day (i.e. apply oil and comb it) because of the order of The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam. (Mishkaat p. 384)

Saaiduna Anas Radiallahu Anhu reports that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam often rubbed oil on his head and also often combed his beard.  He put a cloth over his head which became like an oil cloth due to the frequent use of oil.    (Shamaail Tirmizi p.3)

From the aforementioned ahadith we can derive that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam would encourage and make sure that the hair was kept neat and tidy.

With regards to your question as long as the gel does not have any impure substances then it will be permissible to use it to make the hair neat and tidy. With regards to applying gel to make it look shorter depends on whether you are doing it with the intention to deceive or not. If it is with the intention to deceive then it will not be permissible as the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam has said; “Whoever bears arms against us is not one of us and whoever cheats us is not one of us.” (Sahih Muslim p.70 v.1)

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham