Can I shave my beard for a job as a Muslim?

What Islam says about the beard

The Prophet ﷺ said, "Trim the moustache and let the beard grow" (Sahih al-Bukhari 5892, Sahih Muslim 259). Based on this, the Hanafi, Maliki and Hanbali schools, and many Shafi'i scholars, hold that shaving the beard is not allowed. Some Shafi'i scholars consider it disliked (makruh) rather than forbidden. Either way, keeping it is the better and safer choice. If you're new to Islam, growing a beard can also take time. See Do I have to grow a beard right away?

When a job may really need it

• Safety masks: firefighters, some lab workers, healthcare staff and industrial workers need a tight seal on respirators. A beard can break the seal. See Can Muslims become firefighters?
• Food hygiene: this almost never requires shaving; a beard net is the normal solution.
• "Look" or dress codes: a preference for a "clean-shaven image" is not a real need. In the UK and USA, religious beards are usually protected, and employers must consider reasonable accommodation.

Try alternatives first

Islam asks you to do what you can:

• Ask about powered air-purifying respirators (PAPR) or loose-fitting hoods, which work with beards.
• Ask HR for a religious accommodation in writing, explaining it's part of your faith.
• Keep the beard neat and short; trimming is fine, and a tidy beard answers most "professional look" concerns.
• Look for a role in the same field that doesn't need a sealed mask.

If there's truly no other option

If the job is your income and you have no realistic alternative, many scholars say you may shave as a need, keep the intention to grow it back, and keep looking for a better solution. Shave only as much as the job requires; some masks only need the seal area cleared. Don't feel you've left Islam or that your prayers don't count: this is a question of one practice, not of your faith as a whole. If you can, ask a local scholar who knows your exact situation.