Question:
assalamualaikum,
I would like to know what is the length of the beard in the light of Shafi’i Madhab?
Country: India
Answer:
Wa alaykum salam wa rahmatuLlahi wa barakatuHu,
The Prophet Muhammad commanded that one keep a beard. He said,
خالفوا المشركين أحفوا الشوارب وأوفوا اللحى
“Be different than the polytheists, trim the mustaches and leave the beards.” (Sahih Muslim v. 3, p. 501)
Imam Nawawi stated,
والصحيح كراهة الأخذ منها مطلقا بل يتركها على حالها كيف كانت للحديث الصحيح واعفوا اللحي
“The relied-upon opinion is that taking from it [the beard] is absolutely disliked; rather, one should leave it as it is, as established in the well-authenticated narration, ‘…leave the beards….’” (Sharh al-Muhadhdhab v. 1, p. 290)
Therefore, one should avoid taking anything from his beard.
And Allah knows best.
Shafiifiqh.com Fatwa Dept.