What is the ruling on running water through the beard (takhleel al-lihya) during wudu, and what is the preponderant opinion among scholars on this issue?

If the beard is sparse and the skin of the face is visible beneath it, then it is obligatory to run water through it (takhleel) and wash what is beneath it. However, if it is thick and the skin of the face is not visible beneath it, then it is not obligatory to wash what is beneath it, but it is recommended to run water through it, according to the majority of scholars.

They based this on the fact that takhleel was not mentioned in most narrations describing the ablution (wudu) of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, and because his beard was thick, he sufficed by washing its outer part.

As for the hadiths that indicate the obligation of takhleel, they are interpreted as recommending it, in order to reconcile them with other evidence. It is obligatory to wash the outer part of a thick beard, even its hanging part, because it is considered part of the face.