Is shaving the beard one of the major sins?

Question:
Honorable Shaykh! The questioner asks: Is the persistence in shaving the beard considered one of the major sins?

Answer:
Yes, if he knows that it is forbidden and that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) prohibited it, and he persists in it, it becomes a major sin, because persisting in a minor sin makes it a major one. Likewise, openly committing a sin is more severe than committing it in secret. Shaving the beard involves both openness and persistence, so it is not far-fetched that it reaches the level of a major sin for one who knows the ruling of the Shari'ah. As for the one who does not know the ruling of the Shari'ah and is merely following a scholar, there is no doubt that he is not considered to be committing a major sin; he is considered to be committing a sin until it is clarified to him. Yes.