This wording, then, conveys both a command to differ from them and a ban on resembling them. For if he forbade our resembling them by merely keeping the white of grey hairs as it is—something that occurs without any action on our part—how much more fitting is it that he forbid us from proactively creating resemblance to them? Accordingly, this kind of imitation is unlawful, unlike the first.
Furthermore, in the Two Ṣaḥīḥs it is reported from Ibn ʿUmar (may Allah be pleased with them both) that the Messenger of Allah—peace and blessings be upon him—said: “Differ from the polytheists: trim closely the moustaches and let the beards grow.” Al-Bukhārī and Muslim both recorded it, and this is Muslim’s wording. He first enjoined a general divergence from the polytheists, then said: “Clip the moustaches and leave the beards.” This second clause functions as a substitute (badal) for the first, for
(1) In MS B and in the printed edition the reading is: “adallu” (more conclusive).
(2) MS B reads: “li-mukhalafatihim” (because of their contravention).
(3) This word is absent from MS A.
(4) The printed edition reads: “al-tashabbuh bihim yakun” (“imitating them takes place”).
(5) MS A reads: “huffu” (“clip closely”).
(6) In the printed edition: “wa aʿfu” (“and let [the beard] grow”).
(7) Al-Bukhari transmits it with the wording: “anhiku al-shawarib wa aʿfu al-liha” (thin the mustaches and leave the beards). See: Fath al-Bari, Book of Dress, Chapter on Leaving the Beard, Ḥadith no. 5893 (10:351). Muslim narrates it with the wording cited by the author, as well as: “ahfu al-shawarib wa aʿfu al-liha” (trim the mustaches and leave the beards) and “juzzu al-shawarib wa arkhu al-liha, wa khalifu al-majus” (shorten the mustaches, let the beards grow, and differ from the Magians); all convey the same meaning. See: Sahih Muslim, Book of Purification, Chapter on the Traits of Fitra, Ḥadith nos. 259–260 (1:222).
(8) MS T reads: “al-sharib”; this is likely a copyist’s slip.
(9) The printed edition again reads: “wa aʿfu” (“and let [the beard] grow”).