How do we leave aside acting upon the explicit text (Let the beards grow) for the action of a Companion that may be subject to several possibilities?

The questioner : Regarding this issue.

The Shaykh : Yes?

The questioner : Regarding this matter, O Shaykh, this is a text that is clear to the observer that it is This is a command or request, and it is for obligation. Does this mean that we transfer this obligation to the mere action of, for example, a Companion, even if he is the one most attached to the Prophetic Sunnah? And the rule is known, for example, that it may have been the ijtihad of 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, or it may have been a specific understanding of 'Abdullah ibn 'Umar, and that this particular athar is binding? The apparent text indicates obligation, but is it by the action of Ibn 'Umar or by the action of Ahmad ibn Hanbal?

The Shaykh : What is the text for obligation? What is it?

The questioner : Let the beards grow.

The Shaykh : Well, we are not in the position of determining whether the command is for obligation or not, are we?

The questioner : An absolute action, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : Is that not so?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : The issue is not whether the command is for obligation or not, correct? Tell me?

The questioner : Yes.

The Shaykh : Do you see it? Yes, it is a weak dead point. Say, O my brother, you do not believe that our research is whether the command in this hadith is for obligation or for recommendation. No, we say it is for obligation. Are we done with this?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Well, it is still weak, but what do we want to do for you? The research is whether the letting grow mentioned in this hadith is in its absolute and comprehensive sense or not, correct?

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Ah, this one is stronger than that one. It is as if you have not benefited from the previous examples, especially If you and I entered the mosque at the time of the midday prayer or another time, and we wanted to pray the night prayer and we wanted to pray two rak'ahs, and we said to you, come, let us pray in congregation, and the Messenger said so, what would you do?

The questioner : I would not pray.

The Shaykh : You have contradicted the Messenger. Contradicted means, in other words, I said you contradicted the Messenger according to your logic. But I, according to my logic, would say to you: you contradicted the generality of the Messenger's hadith. He said: And he said: And we are a congregation, so why did you contradict?

The questioner : The fact that the righteous Salaf did not do it, and the fact that the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) did not apply this meaning that you mentioned.

The Shaykh : Well, what led you to this? You have a text...

The questioner : It was not transmitted to us that he prayed this congregational obligatory prayer.

The Shaykh : Go back to my previous statement. It was transmitted from the Salaf that they took it, and it was not transmitted that they did the opposite.

The questioner : I mean, O Shaykh, their action transfers... Ah...

The Shaykh: You did not answer me.

The questioner : The answer, O Shaykh, is in the question: their action transfers this absoluteness.

The Shaykh : There is no need for you to say this. How did you transfer By what did you transfer it?

The questioner : The application of the Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him), because...

The Shaykh : Do not say "application," because you have no transmission. You say "it was not reported to us," correct? The matter has precision.

The questioner : The matter is devotional, O Shaykh.

The Shaykh : And I say it is not devotional?

The questioner : Based on...

The Shaykh : Do you know this devotion by a text, namely that the Messenger and the Companions did not pray before the midday prayer or before the afternoon prayer in congregation?

The questioner: No.

The Shaykh : So by what did you know it?

The questioner : It was not transmitted to us.

The Shaykh : It was not transmitted. Remember this word: "It was not transmitted." Well, what is behind the word "it was not transmitted"? Behind it is that if it had been done, it would have been transmitted.

The questioner : It would have been transmitted, yes.

The Shaykh : Okay?

The questioner: Good.

The Shaykh : Well, now my position regarding the matter is much stronger than your position, O my brother. May Allah guide us and you.

The questioner: Yes.

The Shaykh : Say "Ameen" and make a supplication for me. Why? You are saying "it was not transmitted that the Messenger did this." I am saying "it was not transmitted that any of the Companions, neither the Messenger nor the Companions, did not take from their beards." This is one thing, and the opposite was transmitted. So which position is stronger, yours or mine?

The questioner : From this angle, your position.

The Shaykh : We have a second angle. May Allah guide you?