Beard Length

Question:   Would any one please advise the opinion on Beard length. I would be very grateful if full evidences could be provided.

(This is a rough translation from Ibn Hajr Al-Haytami. Tahfatu L-Muhtaj)

1. The Hadith in Ibn Hibban relates that the Prophet used to trim the length as well as the width of his beard.

2. It is related that 'Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) used to hold his beard with his fist and trim the excess.

3. Bukhari and Muslim relate that the Prophet ordered the beard should be left to grow. (i.e. That it should not be trimmed)

He explains these hadith as follows:

The last hadith is taken into consideration first as it is the most authentic. We can understand the second hadith as a recommendation mandoob) to leave the beard (i.e. not compulsory) (.)

(.) The position of the Madhab is that it is disliked (makrooh) to trim the beard. However, saying that leaving the beard to grow will result in it becoming ugly is not correct. The beard becomes ugly by not being maintained. (E.g. Washing, Oiling, etc)

May Allah Forgive us.

Sulaiman