Is it true that the length of the beard is a hand's grasp, as reported by 'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), and what was the beard of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) like?
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The questioner : This questioner says, "O honorable Shaykh, is it true that the length of the beard is a hand's grasp, as reported by 'Abd Allah ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both), and what was the beard of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) like?"
The Shaykh : Yes. The beard is not limited to a hand's grasp due to the generality of the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to let it grow. Therefore, it has no specific limit. The action of Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) was an exercise of independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) on his part, and independent legal reasoning does not override an explicit text. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) generalized the matter, saying: So the beard does not have a fixed measure.
As for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), those who reported on his descriptions stated that he (peace and blessings be upon him) had a wide and large beard.
The questioner : May Allah send prayers upon him.
The Shaykh : But they did not mention a specific length for it, to my knowledge. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.
The Shaykh : Yes. The beard is not limited to a hand's grasp due to the generality of the command of the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) to let it grow. Therefore, it has no specific limit. The action of Ibn 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) was an exercise of independent legal reasoning (ijtihad) on his part, and independent legal reasoning does not override an explicit text. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) generalized the matter, saying:
Let the beards grow.
أعفوا اللحىLet the beards grow full.
أوفوا اللحىLet the beards hang down.
أرخوا اللحىLet the beards grow.
وفروا اللحىAs for the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), those who reported on his descriptions stated that he (peace and blessings be upon him) had a wide and large beard.
The questioner : May Allah send prayers upon him.
The Shaykh : But they did not mention a specific length for it, to my knowledge. Yes.
The questioner : May Allah bless you.