To let the beard grow long

A: All Praise be to Allah Alone and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger, his family (Part No. 5; Page No. 143) and Companions.Yes, letting the beard grow is Wajib and shaving it is Haram (prohibited), due to what is related by Imam Ahmad, Al-Bukhari, Muslim, and others on the authority of Ibn `Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Differ from the Mushriks (those who associate others with Allah in His Divinity or worship), grow the beard and cut off the moustache." It is also related by Ahmad and Muslim on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Cut the moustache and let the beard grow to differ from the Magi." Insisting on shaving the beard is a major sin, this should be repudiated and anyone who does it should be advised, especially if they hold a high position in religious affairs.Differing from the Magi and other Mushriks does not mean to differ from them in everything, even things that are correct and in conformity with Fitrah (natural disposition) and good morals. It means to differ from them in what they have deviated from the truth, what is correct, and the true Fitrah and righteous morals. One of the ways in which the Magi and other Mushriks and Kafirs (disbelievers) differ from the Truth and what is in conformity with the true Fitrah is in their shaving of their beards, which is in contradiction with the Sunnah of the prophets and Messengers. Therefore, it is Wajib upon us to differ from them by letting our beards grow and removing our moustaches, following the guidance of prophets and Messengers, and acting in accordance with Fitrah in this. It has been authentically narrated from the Prophet (peace be upon him) that he said, "There are ten practices of the Fitrah (natural disposition): Trimming moustaches, letting beards grow, using a Miswak (tooth-stick), Istinshaq (sniffing water), cutting nails, washing the knuckles, removing underarm hair, shaving pubic hair, and cleaning the private parts with water." Related by Ahmad, Muslim, and the Four Compilers (Part No. 5; Page No. 144) of Hadith (Imams Abu Dawud, Al-Tirmidhy, Al-Nasa'iy and Ibn Majah) on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her). However, if it is destined for the Kafirs to let their beards grow, this does not make it permissible for Muslims to shave theirs. As was mentioned above, it is not meant to differ them in everything, but just in matters in which they deviate from the Truth and contradict the pure Fitrah.May Allah grant us success. May peace and blessings be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family, and Companions.