Ruling on one who trims his beard

It is obligatory to leave
the beard alone and let it grow, and not do anything to it, because
it was proven that the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Trim the moustache
and let the beard grow; be different from the mushrikeen.” (Saheeh,
agreed upon, narrated from Ibn ‘Umar). Al-Bukhaari (may Allaah have
mercy on him) narrated in his Saheeh from ‘Ibn ‘Umar (may Allaah
be pleased with him) that the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Cut the moustache
and leave the beard alone; be different from the mushrikeen.” Muslim
narrated in his Saheeh from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased
with him) that the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Trim the moustache
and let the beard grow; be different from the Magians (Zoroastrians).” 

All of these ahaadeeth indicate
that it is obligatory to leave the beard alone and let it grow, and
that it is obligatory to trim the moustache. This is what is obligatory
as taught and enjoined by the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). This was the example set
by the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) and his companions (may
Allaah be pleased with them), to be different from the mushrikeen and
to avoid resembling them or resembling women. 

With regard to the report
narrated by al-Tirmidhi (may Allaah have mercy on him), that the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to trim something from
the length and breadth of his beard, this is a false report according
to the scholars, and it is not a saheeh report from the Prophet

(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Some people clung to this
hadeeth to prove their point, but it is a report which is not saheeh,
because its isnaad includes ‘Umar ibn Haaroon al-Balkhi, who was accused
of lying. 

It is not permissible for
the believer to pay any attention to this false hadeeth, or to take
what some of the scholars say as a concession. The Sunnah applies to
everyone, and Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning): 

“He who obeys
the Messenger (Muhammad), has indeed obeyed Allaah”

[al-Nisa’ 4:80] 

“Say: ‘Obey Allaah
and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (Messenger Muhammad)
is only responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e. to convey Allaah’s
Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall
be on the right guidance. The Messenger’s duty is only to convey (the
message) in a clear way (i.e. to preach in a plain way)’”

[al-Noor 24:54] 

“O you who believe!
Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims)
who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves,
refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in
the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination”

[al-Nisa’ 4:59]