The Ruling on Trimming the Beard

Question:
No. It did not benefit me, except… Yes. Honorable Shaykh, may Allah grant you success, there are many questions on one topic, and this is one of them. He says: In recent years, it has become widespread that some students of knowledge have started trimming their beards, citing the actions of the Companions and the action of Imam Ahmad. They ask: Is what they mention correct? And is it permissible for a person to trim his beard?

Answer:
It is not permissible. The Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said: Therefore, it is not permissible to cut the beard or to trim the beard. I do not know that Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) used to do this; rather, this is narrated from Ibn 'Umar when he came out of the state of ihram, and not that he always trimmed his beard. And this is not from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him); the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not trim his beard when he came out of the state of ihram. It was the independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) of Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him); he wanted, just as he trims his head, to trim his beard as an act of worship to Allah. This is an ijtihad that is not agreed upon (may Allah be pleased with him). So the beard is to be left as is, and nothing is ever taken from it. And what is narrated from the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) that he trims its length and width is a fabricated hadith, or close to being fabricated; because there are defects in its chain of narration.