The ruling on whether leaving the beard to grow is subject to custom

Question:
The questioner says: There is a man who claims that leaving the beard to grow or shaving it off is subject to the custom of the country. If shaving beards becomes widespread in a Muslim country, then leaving the beard to grow is no longer considered prestigious. What is your guidance?

Answer:
This is a false statement. It contradicts the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), "Let the beards grow," and it opposes his practical Sunnah. For he (peace and blessings be upon him) had a beard that filled the space between his shoulders. It is not subject to custom; it is subject to the Sunnah. The Muslim follows the Sunnah and does not follow custom. If it contradicts custom, he abandons the custom. The criterion is the Sunnah. So this is a comprehensive false statement. The one who says it is either ignorant, or he does not care, may Allah protect us from that. Is the Sunnah to be practiced in this way? Yes.