What is the ruling on one who mocks the beard, and what is his punishment?

Question:
What is the ruling on mocking the beard, and what is the punishment for this mocker?

Answer:
If he mocks letting the beard grow, this is apostasy from Islam. If he says that letting the beard grow, or growing the beard, is a farce, or that they say it is mere appearances, or that the religion is not about hair, this is apostasy from Islam because he is mocking a sunnah (recommended practice) of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him).
The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "Let the beards grow," and this man says, "No, letting the beards grow is a farce, or mere appearances, or something similar." This is apostasy from Islam. So one must be careful of such ugly words. As for one who is afflicted with shaving the beard, he should consider himself a sinner and repent to Allah. But as for mocking the growing of the beard, this takes him out of the religion of Islam.
Because he is mocking the sunnah (recommended practice) of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), and the commands of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him)? Yes.