What is the ruling on shaving the beard, and what is the obligatory length for letting it grow, and how should one care for it?

Shaving the beard is forbidden according to the majority of scholars. Texts from the Sunnah have been reported that encourage growing it and prohibit shaving it. Among these is what Al-Bukhari transmitted from Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: "Trim closely the moustaches and leave the beard."

There are ten characteristics that are disliked regarding the beard: dyeing it black for reasons other than jihad, dyeing it with colors other than black to feign piety, whitening it to hasten old age, plucking it to maintain youthfulness, or plucking grey hairs (which Al-Nawawi deemed most likely forbidden), styling it strand by strand out of artificiality and vanity, combing it, excessive attention to its length and width, leaving it disheveled to feign asceticism, and looking at it with admiration. Al-Nawawi added: and braiding it.