Why is there such an emphasis on the beard, even though its obligatoriness was not mentioned in the hadiths, nor was it mentioned by the Prophet, peace be upon him, among the rituals of the religion, nor was it mentioned by Jibreel in the hadith explaining the matters of religion, despite the possibility of considering shaving it to be altering Allah’s creation, by analogy with other permissible matters?

First: Trimming nails is not part of the reprehensible alteration of Allah's creation. For the fitra (natural disposition) includes practices that involve removal and others that involve retention. The prohibited alteration is that which occurs without the permission of the Lawgiver. As for trimming nails, it is an authorized alteration, whereas growing a beard is a prohibited alteration.

Second: Scholars differed concerning the ruling on trimming chest hair. Some considered it a prohibited alteration of Allah's creation, while others deemed it permissible because it is not explicitly mentioned, and this is the more preponderant view.

Third: Some scholars held that shaving the beard is among the major sins because its perpetrator resembles the Zoroastrians and idolaters. However, the majority of scholars held that it is originally a minor sin, but by persisting in it, it becomes a major sin.

Fourth: The absence of mention of the beard in the hadiths concerning the laws of Islam is not proof of its lack of obligation. For the Arabs knew about letting it grow, and it did not need explicit mention. Similarly, other prohibitions and obligations were not mentioned in those hadiths, as religion is broader than that. Moreover, there is a confirmed scholarly consensus on the prohibition of shaving the beard and the obligation of letting it grow.

Fifth: Shaving the beard combines several religious transgressions, including: altering Allah's creation, disobeying the command of the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, imitating the Zoroastrians and women, and openly committing and persisting in the sin.