Q: We are all keen to follow our Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) as he has ordained us to grow the beard. My question is: Did the Messenger (peace be upon him) shorten or trim his beard like most of the bearded men are seen doing?

A: All Praise be to Allah Alone and peace and blessings be upon Messenger, his family and Companions. The Sunnah (supererogatory act of worship following the example of the Prophet) of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) in this regard is stipulated both in speech and action, for it is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) commanded to let the beard grow and become thick. It was narrated by Al-Bukhari, Muslim and others on the authority of `Abdullah ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: Trim closely the mustache, and let the beard grow. In another narration: Be unlike the disbelievers, let the beards grow and shorten the moustaches. (Part No. 5; Page No. 137)  It was also related by Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that he said: The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) stated: Trim closely the moustache, and grow the beard, be unlike the Magis (fire-worshippers). What is meant by letting the beard grow is leaving it and not trimming it, so that it grows thick. This is his verbal guidance (peace be upon him). As for his actions, there is no authentic report that he (peace be upon him) cut any part of his beard. As for the Hadith related by Al-Tirmidhy on the authority of `Amr ibn Shu`ayb from his father from his grandfather that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to trim from the length and the width of his beard, Al-Tirmidhy said about it: This Hadith is Gharib (a Hadith with a single narrator usually at the beginning of the chain of narration). The Sanad (chain of narrators) of this Hadith includes `Umar ibn Harun and he is classed as Matruk (his narration is rejected) as Al-Hafizh Ibn Hajar said in Al-Taqrib. Hence, it is known that this Hadith is not Sahih and cannot be used as evidence to oppose the Sahih Hadiths indicating the obligation to leave the beard and let it grow. Whereas, what some people do, of shaving the beard or trimming something from its thickness and length, is impermissible because it goes against the conduct of the Messenger (peace be upon him) and his command to let the beard grow. The command denotes obligation unless otherwise directed, and we know of no other directive.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.