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