Shaving the Beard and Smoking by a Student of Knowledge

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. This questioner from outside the country says: I came to this country to seek knowledge, but I commit some sins, such as shaving the beard and smoking. He asks: Am I sinful for doing this? And does this contradict my seeking of knowledge?

Answer:
Yes, it is not permissible for a student of knowledge to adorn himself with these things: shaving the beard, lengthening the mustache, and other violations. He should adorn himself with good and lawful characteristics. This is the meaning of a student of knowledge. What is the benefit of a student of knowledge if he does not comply? He applies it to himself. He seeks and applies the knowledge he has acquired to himself first. Yes, and the knowledge includes the prohibition of shaving the beard, the prohibition of shaving and cutting it, because the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded to let it grow, meaning to leave it as it is, and commanded to let it hang down. He (peace and blessings be upon him) had a beard, and he did not take from it, and he did not touch it. Yes.