The Sunnat Of Rasulullah صلى الله عليه وسلم Regarding The Beard

The Status of the Beard

Sayyidah Aayesha Radiallahu Anha narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:  

‘Ten things are part of Fitrat, i.e. the natural way and the tradition of all the Ambiya of Allah. Among these are trimming the moustache and lengthening the beard.’—Sahih Muslim, Vol. 1, Page 129

Note: The word Fitrat refers to the practices of the Ambiya Alayhimus Salam. The word Fitrat also refers to Islam, [which means that it is part of Islam to adhere to these practices]. —Fath al-Baari, Vol. 10, Page 339  

Ibn Umar Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said:  

‘Oppose the disbelievers; lengthen the beard and trim the moustache very short.‘ —Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 2, Page 87

Note: The Ambiya kept long beards and none of them shaved it. The scholars of Islam unanimously regard the growing of a beard wajib. — Hidayah, Vol 4, Page 571  

The verdict of the Imams  

Ibn Hazam writes: ‘It is obligatory to trim the moustache and lengthen the beard.’—Al-Muhalla, Vol 2, Page 320  

Allamah Shawkani writes that the Persians had the habit of trimming the beard. Islam prohibits us from this practice and commands us to lengthen the beard. — Nayl al-Awtar, Vol 1, Page 116  

The Hambali school of thought also declares it Haraam to trim and shave the beard. This verdict is recorded in al-Iqnaa’.  

Imam Shafi’ii also expresses the same view in al-Umm. He writes: ‘Shaving the beard is Haraam according to the leading scholars of the Muslim ummah and according to Imam Abu Hanifah, Imam Malik and Imam Ahmad.’  

Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam’s beard  

Jabir Radiallahu Anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam’s beard was dense. — Sahih Muslim, Vol. 2, Page 259

Ali Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam had a long beard. Tirmizi/Dalail an-Nubuwwah, Page 216

Note: Rasulullah had black hair. A few strands of white hair appeared towards the latter portion of his life. — Sahih Muslim, Vol 2, Page 259

It is Sunnah to comb the beard  

Anas Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasuiullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam used to comb his beard. —Mishkat, Page 381

Arranging one’s beard whilst looking into a mirror   

Sayyidah Aayesha Radiallahu Anha narrates that Rasulullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam used to look into a mirror when combing his blessed beard. —Majma, Vol 5, Page 174/Fath aUBaari, Vol 10, Page 167  

Sahl Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah would arrange his beard by applying water to it. —Shuab al-lmaan, Vol 5, Page 226

Source: The Sublime Conduct Of Rasuiullah Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam