Is the famous Hadith regarding the beard authentic?
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Do the opposite of what the pagans do. Keep the beards and cut the moustaches short.”
Answer
Yes. This narration is recorded in Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. It is therefore authentic.
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) reported that Nabi (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Oppose the idolaters. Lengthen the beards and shorten the moustache.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5892-5893, Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 259)
One Version in Sahih Bukhari adds:
“When Ibn ‘Umar (radiyallahu ‘anhuma) would go on Hajj or ‘Umrah, he would take hold of his beard [with his fist] and [cut] whatever was longer than it.”
(Sahih Bukhari, Hadith: 5892)
Imam Muslim (rahimahullah) has also recorded a similar Hadith on the authority of Sayyiduna Abu Hurayrah (radiyallahu ‘anhu).
(Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 260)
Also see here.
And Allah Ta’ala Knows best.
Answered by: Moulana Suhail Motala
Approved by: Moulana Muhammad Abasoomar