SOCIETY — February 17, 2026
Taliban in Helmand set religious punishment for shaving beards
Taliban authorities in Helmand province announced that men shaving their beards will face religious punishment under the Amr bil Ma'ruf law, following a provincial committee meeting on the relevant legal clause.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — 2 min read
The Taliban in Helmand province have warned that individuals who shave their beards will face 'ta'zir shar'i,' or discretionary religious punishment. This decision was made as part of implementing the group's Amr bil Ma'ruf law.
The Taliban's media office in Helmand stated that the provincial committee for enforcing the Amr bil Ma'ruf law held a meeting to discuss clause 18 of article 22, which addresses the 'prohibition and ugliness of shaving beards.' Article 22 specifies that the muhtasib, or enforcer, is responsible for preventing certain listed vices, with clause 18 referring to shaving or trimming the beard shorter than the prescribed length.
According to the media office's announcement, the meeting resolved to take action against violators and impose ta'zir shar'i on them.
The Taliban have previously issued warnings to barbers in some provinces to refrain from shaving or excessively trimming customers' beards.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Single source with direct, on-record attribution from the Taliban's media office in Helmand, including concrete details such as the specific law clause (article 22, clause 18) and the decision from a described meeting; not a high-stakes or volatile event.
Across the newsrooms
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Afghanistan International
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Society — Helmand, Taliban, Amr bil Ma'ruf, beard, ta'zir
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