The Ruling on Trimming and Shortening the Beard

Question:
Finally, peace be upon you and Allah’s mercy and blessings. Please inform us, may Allah reward you with good, about the ruling on trimming and shortening the beard. Is it permissible or what?

Answer:
Yes. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to leave the beard as Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) created it, to let it grow, to honor it, to keep it full, and not to subject it to shaving, plucking, cutting, or any kind of trimming as the questioner mentioned. All of this is prohibited because it conflicts with what the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded regarding the beard. It is beauty for a man and adornment for him, and it does not burden him with anything.
No, it is not heavy such that one would say, “I cannot carry it,” nor is it disfiguring such that one would say, “It disfigures my face.” Rather, it is bad customs that have spread among people, causing them to hate the beard or to be lax about it. It is merely bad customs. Otherwise, this beard is a blessing from Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) upon men; it beautifies them and adorns them, and it has health benefits. Allah (Exalted and Majestic is He) did not create anything in vain. The matters the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to remove are known: the armpits, the pubic hair, and the mustache. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded the removal of these, and they are among the characteristics of the fitrah (the innate natural disposition). Removing these matters and not letting them grow long is among the characteristics of the fitrah and the traditions of the Prophets. As for letting the beard grow, it is among the characteristics of the fitrah and the traditions of the Prophets. Letting it grow means leaving it, honoring it, letting it hang down, and letting it grow loose, as came in the hadiths from the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him).

The presenter:
Yes.