What is the ruling on growing the beard?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success. The questioner says: We have one of the doctors at the university who tells the students that growing the beard is a recommended practice (mustahabb) and not obligatory. He debates us on this issue and casts doubt on it. He asks: What is the correct opinion on this issue?

Answer:
What is needed is the correct opinion. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded to let the beard grow, to keep it, and to let it hang down, and he did not specify a length for it. So this person comes and specifies it. It is not permissible to specify something that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) did not specify. Rather, he commanded to let the beard hang down, to let it grow, to honor it, to keep it, and to let it grow long, and he (peace and blessings be upon him) did not specify a length. So a person comes and specifies this. Where does he bring the evidence for this from? If he does not stop this work, report him to the dean of the college. The dean, yes, so that he can take action against him. Yes.