Does shortening the hair in the rites include the beard?

Question:
May Allah reward you, Honorable Shaykh. This questioner says: Does the meaning of those who shorten [their hair] include shortening one's own beard?

Answer:
No, he does not shorten his beard, and it is not permissible to shorten the beard. He shortens the head. [It says] "shaving your heads and shortening," and it did not say "shortening your beards." The shortening pertains to the heads. Yes.