There are no Superficial Matters in Islam

Question:

What is the ruling in the Islamic law on one who says: "Shaving the beard and shortening one's garment are superficial issues and not part of the fundamentals of the religion", or one who laughs at those who stress these things?

Answer:

Such talk is very dangerous and highly detested; there are no superficial matters in religion, all of them are essentials and righteousness and beneficial. It (the religion) can be divided into two categories: Fundamentals and jurisprudence. The issues of the beard and shortening the garment are matters of jurisprudence not fundamentals, but it is not permissible to call any matter pertaining to the religion superficial. One fears for the one who says such things in disparagement and mockery, that he may be guilty of apostasy from his religion, for Allah, the Most High says:
Say: "Was it Allah and His Ayat (proofs, evidences, verses, lessons, signs, revelations etc.) and His Messenger that you were mocking? Make no excuse, you have disbelieved after you had believed.

It was the Messenger who ordered growing the beard and trimming the moustache; and obedience to him is an obligation, as is respect for his commands and his prohibitions in all matters. Abu Muhammad Ibn Hazm has mentioned that there is complete agreement among the scholars on the obligation of growing the beard and shortening the moustache. And there is no doubt that felicity, salvation, honor, nobility and the praised abode (Paradise) are attained through obedience to Allah and His Messenger and that destruction, loss and an evil abode (Hell) are the result of disobedience to Allah and His Messenger. Likewise raising one's garments above the ankles is an obligation, based upon the words of the Prophet SAW :
"Whatever hangs down below the ankles from the Izar will be in the Fire.

And his word:
"There are three persons to whom Allah will not speak, nor will He look upon them, nor sanctify them on the Day of Resurrection and upon whom will be a painful punishment: The one who lets his Izar hang down, the one who gives away what is given to him and the one who sells his wares by swearing to a lie.

And he said:
"Allah will not look at one who lets his garment hang out of pride.

Therefore it is obligatory for a Muslim man to fear Allah and raise his garment, whether it be a Qamees, an Izar, trousers or a cloak - and not to let it hang below the ankles. It is best for it to be between mid-calf and the ankle. Should its hanging down be due to pride, the sin is greater. If it is due to negligence, rather than pride, then it is detested and the one who does it is a sinner, but his sin does not include that of pride, although there is no doubt that letting the garment hang down is a path to pride, even if the one who does it claims that he does not do so out of pride. Since the warning in the Hadith is general, it is not permissible to be negligent in the matter. As for the story of (Abu Bakr) As-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, and his words to the Prophet: "My Izar hangs down, unless I am careful with it." The Prophet said to him.

You are not one of those who do it out of pride.

This is the truth regarding one whose situation is as that of As- Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, regarding the hanging down of his garment without pride, who takes care with it and endeavors to keep it firm. As for him who deliberately lets his garment hang down, the warning (of punishment) includes him and he is not like As-Siddiq. In addition to what has been mentioned, wearing a long, hanging garment is also a waste of money and it causes it to trail in dirt and impure things, and it is a form of imitating women and a Muslim is obligated to avoid all of these things. And Allah is the Granter of success and the Guide to the Right Way.