Hadith Text & Reference

"Trim the mustache and leave the beard to grow." (Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2763)

Legal Ruling & Significance

This hadith establishes the obligation (wujub) of maintaining the beard according to the majority of classical scholars. The command "leave the beard" indicates a required practice (farḍ/wājib) that distinguishes Muslim men in appearance.

Trimming the mustache is likewise obligatory, serving both hygienic purposes and differentiating Muslims from polytheists who used to grow long mustaches.

Scholarly Commentary

Imam al-Nawawi states this hadith demonstrates the completeness of Islamic law, regulating even personal grooming to cultivate purity and distinct religious identity.

Ibn al-Qayyim explains that the beard represents natural disposition (fiṭrah) and masculine dignity, while trimming the mustache prevents food particles from accumulating and maintains cleanliness during worship.

Practical Implementation

Scholars differ on the minimum beard length required, with most holding that one should not shave any facial hair growing naturally on cheeks and chin.

The mustache should be trimmed short enough that it doesn't cover the upper lip or interfere with eating and drinking, typically to the skin line according to Hanafi scholars or shortened significantly per Shafi'i interpretation.