The Ruling on Shaving the Beard, Trimming It, or Defining Its Shape

Question:
He says: May Allah preserve you, what is your guidance for one who shaves his beard, trims it, or defines its shape, especially if the one doing so is a committed Muslim? We ask you to please provide an answer.

Answer:
This is from Shaytan, because the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded to honor the beard, to let it grow, to let it hang down, and to leave it long. Since he commanded this, Shaytan exerts his influence over them and makes shaving the beard attractive to them. If they do not accept shaving from him, he is content with trimming and defining the beard, as they say, here and there. Shaytan does not leave them alone; he leads them step by step. It is obligatory for the Muslim to follow the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) by leaving his beard as it is. It is beauty, and praise be to Allah, there is no deficiency in it; rather, it is beauty and adornment for the man. And what happened to those who messed with their beards? They are among the ugliest of people in appearance, and everyone knows this. As for the one who lets his beard grow, he is among the most beautiful of people in appearance, and this is a well-known fact.