Ibn ‘Abbās (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that a donkey that had been branded on the face passed by the Prophet (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) so he said: “May Allah curse the one who branded it.” Another narration by Imām Muslim reads: "The Messenger of Allah (may Allah's peace and blessings be upon him) forbade striking the face and branding on the face."
This Hadīth includes an absolute prohibition and serious threat to the person who brands an animal on its face or strikes the face. Scholars considered these practices as major sins. The scholars explained the reasons behind this prohibition by stating that the face is delicate and it is the center of beauty. Its organs are precious and delicate, and most perception is achieved through them. Striking the face may cause damage or defectiveness to these organs and it may deform the face. In fact, any disfigurement in the face is hideous because it is visible and difficult to conceal. When struck, the face will most likely sustain some sort of disfigurement.