The Ruling Of The Beard 101

All of the Traditional Schools of The Ahlus Sunnah Wal Jamaah say that growing the beard is Waajib (compulsory) for all males Muslims.

The beard should be grown to a fist length at least, as this was the minimum length of Rasulullah SAW's beard when he (SAW) trimmed it.

Without any valid Sharée excuse - to cut or shave the beard is Haraam (prohibited). He who does so is a Faasiq (sinful Muslim) and to shorten it less than a fist length is Makruh (undesirable), whilst other scholars go to define the ruling to the extent of Makruh Tahrimi (undesirability which is near to Haraam).

It must be marked here that the sin of not having a beard is not like that of most sins, as the sin of not having a beard is continuous i.e. for every second a person is in the state contrary to the physical looks attributed to Rasulullah SAW and his Companions RA; the Tabi'in RA and the Tabi-Tabi'in RA - he is in sin.

It would be a great calamity to die clean-shaven. We do not know when we will die, and the beard is the only Sunnah which a Muslim literally carries with him into his grave.