Its been a pleasant journey, me and myself and my beard... Here are some stages of growth from 2 weeks to 7 weeks.
I have also included an excellent article on beard maintenance InshAllah it can help brothers who are interested.
2 weeks growth
4 weeks growth
7 weeks growth
My Olive oil :)
Beard Maintenance (1st Edition)So you've got the beard...now all you want is tips on how to keep it. I get the feeling that this is the post everyone has been waiting for! Well here it is... For All the proofs see the end of the note.
Washing the beard:
Wudu five times a day, helps keep the beard clean when you run your fingers though the beard in keeping with the Sunnah.
Everyones beard works differently, shampooing the beard I find does not really do me any favours, however it is just another means to keep it clean. Did those in the past use soap to clean the beard? It seems from hadith that only water and oils were used in beard maintenance, so this is what I prefer to use.
Oils:
Cold Pressed Extra Virgin Olive Oil:
Olive oil is the main component to use when oiling the beard as it comes from a sacred tree, so it should be used. You can buy Olive oil (indeed I mean the same olive oil for cooking) from any normal supermarket or food store, however a tip is to understand that not everything we buy is a product of quality...you have to be careful because the majority of the olive oil in stores is not pure (they do not contain all the nutritional value that olive oil is supposed to have)
In order to find real olive oil, it must meet the following specifications:
(1) Extra virgin olive oil should have a free oleic acid acidity of no more than 1%, whereas ordinary virgin olive oil can have an acidity of up to 3.3% (this is not good).
(2) Extra virgin olive oil is supposed to be cold pressed.
(3) Extra virgin olive oil is supposed to be unfiltered and look cloudy. Most olive oil that you find in the store is factory-produced olive oil that looks clear. If it is clear, then it has been filtered, which further reduces the nutritional quality of the oil. Let me repeat: Real olive oil is not filtered; it looks cloudy.
(4) The oil should be packaged in dark glass bottles to protect it from the damaging effects of light. Avoid buying oil that is stored in plastic containers because the oil can absorb some of the compounds used in the plastic, such as PVC’s (polyvinyl chlorides) which cause cancer.
When you buy your Extra Virgin Olive Oil, it should be stored in a cool cupboard away from sunlight and heat.
Black Seed Oil:
This oil has miraculous properties and has be used by brothers to stimulate beard growth. They massage the beard area with black seed oil ensuring that the oil penetrates to the roots, this stimulates the growth of the beard.
Other oils you can use are Almond oil, Argan oil. Some even use peanut oil and regular vegetable cooking oil. But isnt the best oil one which it's tree is mentioned in the Quran?
Applying Oil to The Beard
So now you know exactly what to buy. Add a moderate amount to a damp and moist beard, probably best after bathing and comb the oil through the beard.
If you think that Olive oil is too strong smelling and you want to add a pleasant smelling fragrance, You can use the olive oil as a base, then add a few drops of fragant oils to the mixture. Then apply to the beard. Here is a list of oils that you can buy which others have used and which work well.
List of Fragrant Oils:
Jojoba Oil
Rosemary Oil
Coconut Oil
Cedarwood Oil
Peppermint Oil
And Many More - Try others and let us know!
Combing The Beard:
Use a wide tooth comb to spare your beard hairs. Hairs will fall out no matter what you do, this is natural, but using a wide toothed comb will evenly distribute the oil in the beard and untangle hairs and removed hairs that have already fallen out and keep the beard clean.
Proofs:
A Muslims natural dispositon (Fitrah) & his perfect state:
'A'isha reported: The Messenger of Allah (may peace be npon him) said: Ten are the acts according to fitra: clipping the moustache, letting the beard grow, using the tooth-stick, snuffing water in the nose, cutting the nails, washing the finger joints, plucking the hair under the armpits, shaving the pubes and cleaning one's private parts with water. The narrator said: I have forgotten the tenth, but it may have been rinsing the mouth.
Muslim :: Book 2 : Hadith 502
The Book of Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)
Wudu (Ablution) & the presence of the beard:
Narrated Anas ibn Malik: Whenever the Messenger of Allah (peace_be_upon_him) performed ablution, he took a handful of water, and, putting it under his chin, made it go through his beard, saying: Thus did my Lord command me.
Dawud :: Book 1 : Hadith 145
Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)
Narrated Grandfather of Talhah: I entered upon the Prophet (peace_be_upon_him) while he was performing ablution, and the water was running down his face and beard to his chest. I saw him rinsing his mouth and snuffing up water separately.
Dawud :: Book 1 : Hadith 139
Purification (Kitab Al-Taharah)
Olive Oil comes from a blessed tree:
"Allah is the light of the galactic heavens and the planet earth. The allegory of His light is that of a concave mirror behind a lamp that is placed inside a glass container. The glass container is like a bright, pearl-like star. The fuel thereof is supplied from a blessed olive tree, that is so vast it encompasses both east and west. Its oil is almost self-radiating; needs no fire to ignite it. Light upon light. Allah guides to His light whomever He wills. Allah thus cites the parables for the people. Allah is fully aware of all things." Qur’aan 24: 35
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “Eat olive oil and anoint yourselves with it, for it comes from a blessed tree.” (Al-Tirmidhi, no. 4221)
Oiling the beard:
'A'isha (Allah be pleased with her) reported that when the Messenger of Allah (may peace be upon him) intended to enter upon the state of Ihram he perfumed himself with the best of perfumes which he could find and after that I saw the glistening of oil on his head and beard.
Muslim :: Book 7 : Hadith 2694
The Book of Pilgrimage (Kitab Al-Hajj)
