Q.  Salamualikum, Respected Moulana, At the MSA I asked a few scholars a question about the importance of the beard. You did not answer my question with clarity. It seems like you are in favor of keeping a beard, as well as not keeping a beard. The other scholars did not even answer the question, and in private talks reduced its significance. By you and the others not taking a position on the subject has caused a problem and unwanted debate between the students and even their parents. As a scholar you must keep us clear on issues. Can you please help us….?

(a brief excerpt of my response)

A. Wa’alaikumussalam. If memory serves me well; I did answer the question pertaining to the beard. However, you had requested proof, and you would be correct in saying that I did not furnish that to you. If I give you a response pertaining to the beard, there is a possibility that you would argue that it is merely my opinion. Since this issue is debated by various ‘modern day’ scholars, I find it best that we go to the ‘root’ scholars to solve our issue.

Proof pertaining to the beard
Imaam Nawawi states that according to the Shaafee Madhab, it is necessary to let the beard grow. It is Makrooh (disliked) to trim the beard whatsoever.’ (al-Majmoo v.1 page 290)

According to Abul Waleed al-Baaji al-Maaliki it has been stated that Imaam Malik had permitted the slight trimming of those hairs that are overgrown. (Hair that is growing wildly, all over the face, in excess of the bearded area as well as hair that falls outside the general growth area of humans – as you can observe, a beard must be left to grow, but neatness is also important.) Imaam Malik was also asked about a beard that had grown extremely long. The honorable Imaam replied that ‘it should be trimmed a bit.’ (Trimmed a bit here means that trimming which is done for neatness once it has exceeded the length of the fist, not the modern day rough rugged look that our youth are aspiring towards.) Thus, according to Imaam Abul Waalid, ‘it has been narrated from Abdulah ibn Umar and Abu Hurayra that they trimmed up to one fist.’ Hence, this is what was meant by Imaam Maalik. (al-Muntaqa v.7 page 266)

Imaam Saamiri, the great jurist of the Hanbali fiqh states, ‘(a man) should not trim any portion from the beard except if he chooses to the extent of the length of one fist. However, it will be best if he does not do so.’ (al-Mustaw’ib v.1 page 260

Imaam Shamsuddeen al-Maqdisi states, ‘It is forbidden to shave the beard, however, it is not Makroh (disliked) to trim what is in excess of the length of a fist, mainly do the fact that this trimming of the excess of a fist is supported by the practice of Sayidinah Abdulah ibn Umar’ (Kitabul Furo vl.1 page 130)

As you can well understand, Islam likes neatness, Islam wants a man to be manly, and Islam also wants us to like others and be liked by others. To shave or cut the beard without a valid reason, based on the above quotations would be wrong. For those who do have beards, they have no right to mock those who do not have a beard of the desired Islamic length. At the same time, people not having the desired length should try and observe that which is correct if circumstances allow them to do so. After all, is not our desire to follow Rasulullah (Sallallaahu alayhi wa sallam)?

Allah certainly knows best.