What religions prevent you from cutting your hair? Religions such as Orthodox Judaism, Rastafarianism, and Sikhism all prohibit haircuts, the removal of facial hair, or a combination of the two due to beliefs that hair is sacred or a gift from God.
Buddhism. In Buddhism, tonsure (Sanskrit: mundanā) is a part of the rite of pravrajya and also a part of becoming a bhikshu (monk) or bhikshuni (nun). This involves shaving the head and face. This tonsure is renewed as often as required to keep the head cleanly shaven.
There is no specific ethnicity that can't grow facial hair, but East Asian individuals, such as Japanese and Chinese, tend to have less facial hair and slower growth rates compared to other ethnicities. Let's take a closer look at the fascinating differences across various ethnic groups.
The majority of Muslim scholars consider that it is forbidden (haram) to shave the beard as it would be neglecting the tradition and established practice of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) who encouraged followers to strive to imitate him in every way.
In the Orthodox Christian tradition, beards are often seen as a symbol of masculinity and a reflection of the biblical commandment not to "mar the corners of thy beard" (Leviticus 19:27). Many Orthodox clergy members proudly wear long, flowing beards as a visible sign of their commitment to their faith.
Judaism prohibits shaving with a razor on the basis of a rabbinic interpretation of Leviticus 19:27, which states, "Ye shall not round the corners of your heads, neither shalt thou mar the corners of thy beard." The Mishnah interprets this as a prohibition on using a razor on the beard.
All Israelite men grew beards; God commanded it: “You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard” (Leviticus 19:27). Beards were a facial billboard for manhood, distinguishing men, at first glance, from boys and women.
Sikhs consider the beard to be part of the nobility and dignity of their manhood. Sikhs also refrain from cutting their hair and beards out of respect for the God-given form. Keeping the hair uncut is kesh, one of the Five Ks, the compulsory articles of faith for a baptized Sikh.
Historical appearance
Scholars have also suggested that it is likely Jesus had short hair and a beard, in accordance with Jewish practices of the time and the appearance of philosophers. The earliest depictions of Jesus from the Roman catacombs depict him as free of facial hair.
Shaving the beard is muthla (mutilation). Verily the Prophet ﷺ has prohibited muthla. The great Imam of Madinah, Imam Mâlik is reported to have said: The sin of shaving the beard is not only a kabîra (major sin), but it is also bagi (open offence).
In modern Turkmenistan, since the late 1990s, a total ban on the wearing of beards has been unofficially imposed on all segments of the population, with the exception of the elderly over the age of 65 (in Turkmenistan they are called "yashuli") and Russian Orthodox and Armenian Church clerics and priests.
Additionally, genetics play a role in the scarcity of beards in Japan. Japanese men tend to have less facial hair compared to men of other ethnicities. Even if they desired to grow a beard, many simply do not possess the necessary density or coverage.
Traditionally, certain ethnicities have been known for growing thick beards, including those in the Middle East, Mediterranean, and South Asia. Other ethnicities are less likely to have thick, full beards.
Sikhism. Beards and hair generally are such an intrinsic part of the Sikh religion that they form one of the five articles of faith: "Kesh" – maintaining uncut hair all over one's body. According to Sikh teachings, in 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the 10th Sikh spiritual leader, said, "My Sikh shall not use the razor.
Modern Catholic views of beards
While there's no doubt an element of fashion, with beards wholly absent from Rome, there are no strict rules for or against. According to the 1983 Code of Canon Law, questions about beards and grooming are a matter of personal choice.
While a shaved head on a man is often seen as a sign of authority and virility, a shaved head on a woman typically connotes androgyny, especially when combined with traditionally feminine signifiers. Drag queens have sometimes adopted shaved heads to express a genderqueer image.
Of course, Jesus was a Jew. He was born of a Jewish mother, in Galilee, a Jewish part of the world. All of his friends, associates, colleagues, disciples, all of them were Jews. He regularly worshipped in Jewish communal worship, what we call synagogues.
Shaving one's beard and cutting one's hair for normal good grooming is something entirely different and not at all condemned in the Scriptures. In fact, the apostle Paul takes great pains to address proper grooming of one's hair in I Corinthians 11:2-15.
If your motives are to glorify His work in your life (Romans 14:23), the tattoo can be an excellent conversation starter. Just as we are commanded to do all things to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31), we can view the act of tattooing in the same manner.
Religions such as Orthodox Judaism, Rastafarianism, and Sikhism all prohibit haircuts, the removal of facial hair, or a combination of the two due to beliefs that hair is sacred or a gift from God.
The Mormon Church's handbook does not provide specific beards or facial hair guidelines. And yet, full-time missionaries, temple workers, Mormon Church Prophets, and almost all Mormon Apostles since the 1950s have not been allowed to sport beards of any kind.
Muslim and Sikh men generally keep beards
For many Sikh men, having a beard is seen as a religious obligation, and beards are also traditional in several Islamic schools of thought.
Exceptions for religious accommodation
In 2010, the Army granted waivers for a number of Sikh soldiers and one Muslim soldier, permitting them to have beards (and in the case of the Sikh soldiers, to have "unshorn" hair covered by turbans).
From ancient civilizations to modern-day society, beards have been a symbol of power, wisdom, and even rebellion. Beards in Ancient Times: In ancient Egypt, a well-groomed beard was a sign of high social status. Pharaohs even wore fake beards made of metal as a symbol of their divine power.
Muslims learn about the Prophet's views on facial hair not from the Koran, but through hadith - or sayings - attributed to Muhammad. One such hadith, in a collection by Muslim scholar Muhammad al-Bukhari centuries ago, stipulates: "Cut the moustaches short and leave the beard."