From `Abdul`Aziz ibn `Abdullah ibn Baz to our honorable brother, may Allah guide him to what pleases Him! May Allah increase his knowledge and Iman (faith) and make him blessed wherever he is. Amen.
Assalamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh (May Allah's Peace, Mercy, and Blessings be upon you!)
I hope that you, your children, and other officials are all well. May Allah bestow upon you from His Bounty and guide us and you to His thankfulness. Indeed, He is the Best to be sought for help. I inform you that your representative mentioned to me your desire that I write to you about the issue of the beard.
Accordingly, it should be known that the Messenger (peace be upon him) let his beard grow and so did his Sahabah (Companions of the Prophet). It is reportedin the Two Sahih (authentic) Books of Hadith (i.e. Al Bukhari and Muslim)that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Trim closely the mustache and let the beard grow to be contradictory to the disbelievers.
It is also related by AlBukhari in his Sahih on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Keep the beards and cut the mustaches short; do the opposite of what the Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship) do.
Also related inSahih Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: Trim closely the mustache and grow the beard, and thus act against the Magian.
All these Sahih Hadith and others having the same meaning prove the obligation that men should let their beards grow long and the prohibition of shaving or trimming them.
You know, may Allah protect you, that all Muslims, wherever they are and regardless of their status, are obliged to obey the command of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him), for Allah (Glorified be He) says:
He who obeys the Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ), has indeed obeyed Allâh
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) also says: And whatsoever the Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) gives you, take it; and whatsoever he forbids you, abstain (from it). And fear Allâh; verily, Allâh is Severe in punishment.
Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) further states: Say: "Obey Allâh and obey the Messenger, but if you turn away, he (Messenger Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) is only responsible for the duty placed on him (i.e. to convey Allâh's Message) and you for that placed on you. If you obey him, you shall be on the right guidance. The Messenger's duty is only to convey (the message) in a clear way (i.e. to preach in a plain way)."
Allah (Glorified be He) also says: And perform AsSalât (IqâmatasSalât), and give Zakât and obey the Messenger (Muhammad ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﷲ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ) that you may receive mercy (from Allâh).
There are many Ayahs (Qur'anic verses) in this regard. Thus, it is incumbent on you to let the beard grow long and thick and to call other Muslims to do the same and to obey Allah and His Messenger (peace be upon him) in every thing. It is only through this way that Muslims will achieve happiness and good end in this life and the Hereafter. May Allah guide you to what is good for both your religion and life! May Allah guide you to all that benefits people and countries, for He is the Most Generous!
Assalamu `alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatuh!