The Ruling on Trimming the Beard During Hajj and 'Umrah

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. He says: What is the ruling on trimming the beard, as it is reported from Ibn 'Umar that he used to do so during Hajj and 'Umrah?

Answer:
Do not trim the beard; rather, leave it. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded that it be let down, allowed to grow, and kept full. There are authentic hadiths regarding this, and one should not touch it. If Ibn 'Umar’s action is authentic, it should not be used as evidence, because the criterion is the evidence, not the action of any individual. Even the Companions are not cited as evidence by their actions if they contradict the evidence. They are, if Allah wills, upon good and upon [guidance], but their actions are not cited as evidence if they contradict the Sunnah.
Ibn 'Umar did not always trim the hair of his beard; rather, he considered it part of the rites. He would take it for Hajj or 'Umrah as an exercise of his independent reasoning, but one should not follow him in that. Yes.