to the length of a spear, and again at sunset, lest we resemble the unbelievers who bow to the sun at those moments—although a Muslim means by his prostration none but God Most High.

Letting the beard grow is an adornment and an honor

Allah, Exalted is He, says: “We have certainly honored the children of Adam” (Al-Isrāʾ 17:70).

Some scholars commented: “Part of that honor is that He created them in the most complete and beautiful form.”
Others listed, among the tokens of this honor, that He adorned men with beards and women with braids.

He, Glorious is He, also says: “The coloring of Allah—and who is better than Allah in coloring?” (Al-Baqarah 2:138).

And He says: “We have indeed created man in the best of stature” (At-Tīn 95:4).

And His words: “O mankind! What has lured you away from your Generous Lord, who created you, proportioned you, and balanced you, assembling you in whatever form He willed?” (Al-Infitar 82:6-8).

And He says: “It is the handiwork of Allah, who perfected all things” (An-Naml 27:88).