Fear The Beard! (Or Don't)

'Pogonophobia' is a funny word. No, it's not some random fear of pogo sticks. Rather, its one of the most common phobias that has beset our modern yuppie generation (Generation X, Y or Z, I can't keep track). Pogonophobia relates to the fear of beards. The longer the beard usually corresponds to the higher the degree of anxiety it instills in the onlooker. While not all of us suffer the common symptoms (shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, excessive sweating, nausea), many still do experience varying degrees of discomfort when confronted with a patch of facial follicles.

Yet for those afflicted with said illness, there is hope. Latest news is that beards in the West are all in vogue again, courtesy of a hipster resurgence. As per the theory of trickle down culture, it may take somewhere between six-months to a year (or sooner) before beard fashion crosses the Atlantic and makes its way to the Muslim urban world once again. What a curious way back to the Sunnah that will be. At the very least, it may provide a bit of a mental relief for those touchy-feely Muslims who still squirm when they see their bearded brethren.  Perhaps it is time to make a diagnosis of why so many ostensible Muslims treat such facial hair with such unease.

There was time when sporting a beard was simply the status quo, and the hairless chin would be the outlier. But modernity has reversed this reality. The period of conquest and colonization during the 18^th century by the British and co. coincided with a curious phenomenon, the rise of the clean-shaven gentlemen. No longer was the beard the symbol of wisdom, vigor and manhood, but rather of a caveman-like backwardness. The fresh-face was the look of the Enlightenment, of youth and clarity, with a readiness to lead mankind out of the savage darkness and into the light. Generations of the colonized masses, beginning with their leaders, slowly internalized and externalized this message. This was especially odd given that throughout Muslim history, so self-assured generally was the Muslim community in their identity that copying the appearance of an outsider was an anathema.  Yet now the beard, trimmed or untouched, would no longer be a norm. 

What are you looking at?

Since 9/11, the anxiety has only been heightened to a ridiculous degree. Media portrayals of the Taliban have cemented a stereotype of the poor, uncultured, regressive and aggressive long-bearded Muslim out of step with modern world. In countries with a widening secular-religious divide (Pakistan being a prime example), one is expected to join one of two rival camps, hardcore secularists who conflate any Islamic symbol or beard with encroaching Talibanisation, or an increasingly shrill and reactionary religious establishment. Any middle space there was over a decade ago is fast shrinking. Can’t I just grow a beard and have nothing to do with any of that? Apparently not.

My advice to all those yet unconvinced by my beard rant, please chill out and let your biases take a backseat. Yes, there are plenty of self-righteous bearded folk who like to use their beards as an outward stamp of their own religiosity. But there are plenty more for whom this is not the case, for whom growing a beard is merely a personal attempt to reconnect with their spiritual tradition and to emulate the best of creation, while for some it has nothing to do with religion whatsoever. And of course let us not to forget a minority who grow it due to sheer laziness in having to pick up a razor. So would it be so hard to check your knee-jerk reactions at the door and give the fellow some breathing room before you character assassinate him?

Granted, a beard in itself is no guarantee at all of a sound character or good spiritual health. Nobody should expect or give excessive veneration to beard-growers, which can be a problem as well. But the stigmatization has frankly become tiresome, especially from so-called educated and moderate Muslims who like to bleat on and on about ‘respect’ and ‘tolerance’. I shouldn’t have to remind you that your Prophet (pbuh) had a rather long beard, and yes, 1400+ years on, it is still relevant.