What is the meaning of the beard in Islam?

God created men in such a way that a beard grows on their faces. Whoever lets it grow and keeps it well groomed is following the nature God has given him.

Why do men grow beards while women do not? This already contains part of the answer. God created men and women differently, and the beard is part of a man’s natural appearance. Someone who lets it grow is not doing anything artificial. He is simply allowing what God placed in him to show.

The verse above describes faith as a path in harmony with human nature. The two sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (saw) also mention letting the beard grow alongside things like cleaning the teeth and cutting the nails. So the point is a natural, clean and well kept way of life.

It is also partly a matter of taste, and taste adapts to its surroundings. A person living in a society where almost every man is clean shaven may at first find a beard unusual. After a while we tend to find beautiful whatever we see around us every day. Where beards are common, people feel exactly the opposite.

What matters most is care. An unkempt beard looks careless. A beard that is kept clean and neatly trimmed, on the other hand, looks dignified and handsome. Whoever chooses to wear a beard is following nature and can at the same time look neat and well groomed.