So let him refer back to those texts. As for letting the beard grow, it is an adornment for men; only one whose insight Allah has blinded would deny this. Allah has made the beard a distinction between men and women. We have already mentioned that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) had a thick, full, and sizeable beard, yet he was the most handsome of all people and the finest in appearance, and he resembled his forefather Abraham, the intimate friend of the Most Merciful. We also cited that Moses (peace be upon him) was thick-bearded, and that Aaron (peace be upon him) resembled his brother Moses. Some versions of the ḥadith of the Night Journey state that Aaron’s beard was so long it almost reached his navel. Given this, can any intelligent Muslim claim that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) marred his appearance with his large, thick beard, or that Abraham, Moses, and Aaron disfigured themselves with their great beards? Never—no one possessing even a trace of reason and faith would say such a thing.

Having understood this, realize also that Muslim men with full beards have a model in the two khalīls—Abraham and Muhammad—and in the other prophets and messengers. Allah the Exalted says, “Those are the ones whom Allah has guided, so follow their guidance” (Q 6:90), and He says, “Indeed, in the Messenger of Allah you have a beautiful example for whoever hopes for Allah and the Last Day” (Q 33:21).