of Islam—chief among them the Islamic practice of growing the beard, emulating the Messenger of Allah ﷺ in this regard, adhering to his guidance, and obeying his command.

As for his remark, “They have latched on to the beard, as though Islam were nothing but a beard,” the reply is as follows. Allowing the beard to grow is one of the qualities of the fiṭrah (natural disposition), as stated in the ḥadith of ʿĀʾishah—related by Imām Aḥmad, Muslim, and the compilers of the Sunan, and cited earlier. The fiṭrah is the sunnah upon which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ stood, as did the prophets and messengers before him. Allah the Exalted says, “Those are the ones whom Allah has guided; so follow their guidance” ⦗6:90⦘.

It is authentically reported that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ had a copious, thick, and sizeable beard. Allah, Most High, also says, “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have an excellent example for whoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day” ⦗33:21⦘; and He says, “So believe in Allah and His Messenger, the unlettered Prophet who believes in Allah and His words. Follow him that you may be guided” ⦗7:158⦘.

The Prophet ﷺ expressly instructed his community to let their beards grow and to differ from the polytheists who shave theirs. Allah, Mighty and Majestic, warns: “Let those who oppose his command beware, lest a trial afflict them or befall them…” ⦗24:63⦘