Is growing a beard an obligation (fard) or a sunnah, and is its ruling and importance similar to that of the supererogatory (sunnah) prayers?

Many people do not hesitate to delve into Sharia rulings without knowledge, and this is dangerous because it involves declaring things lawful or unlawful without proof from God. God has threatened those who fabricate lies against Him with painful torment and darkened faces on the Day of Resurrection, as mentioned in Surah An-Nahl, Yunus, and Az-Zumar.

Your brother's objection to the obligation of growing a beard is incorrect because there is no evidence to suggest that the command for it deviates from obligation. Rather, there are evidences that confirm its obligation, such as opposing the polytheists, the repetition of the command, the variety of its forms, and the action of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

As for the supererogatory prayers, clear texts indicate that they are not obligatory, such as the hadith of the man who asked the Prophet (peace be upon him) about Islam, and he only informed him of the five prayers. Your companion's statement that the Prophet (peace be upon him) never abandoned the Sunnah prayers, nor did any of the Companions, is incorrect.