Attending recitals of beardless Qurrah
The A’immah of all four Madhaahib are unanimous that it is Waajib for Muslim males to grow their beards equivalent to a fist length. The beard should be equal to a fist length on all sides, and it is not permissible to trim the beard, if the beard has not exceeded a fist length.
Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Trim the moustache and allow the beard to grow, contradict the fire worshippers.” [Muslim Pg.129 Vol.1]
Allama Ayni Rahimahullah has written that the method of opposing the Mushrikeen is by allowing our beards to grow, as the polytheists used to keep their beards short. [Umdatul Qaari Pg.90 Vol.15]
Ibn Humaam Rahimahullah, a leading Hanafi jurist writes, “Trimming of the beard when less than the Masnoon length –a fist length – as carried out by some of the western people and the male hermaphrodites has not been permitted by anyone.” [Fathul Qadeer Pg.348 Vol.2]
Yes, when the beard exceeds a fist length then, based on the narration of Abdullah Ibn Umar Radiallahu Anhu, it will be permissible to trim the beard and thereby reduce it to a fist length. It is recorded in Bukhari Sharif that when Abdullah Bin Umar Radiallahu Anhu would perform Hajj or Umrah, he would grip his beard, and trim what was beyond his fist. [Bukhari Pg.875 Vol.2]
عن ابن عمر عن النبى صلي الله عليه وسلم قال خالفوا المشركين وفروا اللحى واحفوا الشوارب وكان ابن عمر اذا حج واعتمر قبض على لحيته فما فضل اخذه
بخارى كتاب اللباس ص 875ج2
Allama Shaami Rahimahullah has written,
يحرم على الرجل قطع لحيته (شامى ص 402 ج6)
It is Haraam for a man to cut his beard (less than a fist length).
Shaami states that a person that shaves off the beard (or even trims his beard less than a fist length) is termed as a Faasiq in Shariah. It is Makrooh-e-Tahreemi to allow such a person to lead the congregational prayer. [Re:- Shaami pg.298 vl.2]
It is recorded in a narration of Baihaqi, “When a Faasiq is praised, then Allah Ta’ala becomes displeased and the Arsh (of Allah) trembles and shakes.” [Baihaqi – Shua’bul Imaan]
Based on the above explanation, Qiraat gatherings of Qurrah that trim and shave their beards should be avoided, whether locally or abroad. Similarly, we should avoid listening to their recitals over the internet or CD’s, as we will inevitably praise them at some point or the other, whereas, the Hadith states that Allah Ta’ala becomes displeased and His throne trembles when a Faasiq is praised. By speaking of the Qaaris excellent recital, granting him a lofty status by seating him on our Mimbars, attaching praiseworthy titles to his name (when posters are prepared) and referring to those respectable titles when speaking amongst ourselves, are all ways of praising them, which we are required to refrain from.
In conclusion, refraining from gatherings of beardless Qurrah is necessary, particularly when there is no shortage of righteous Quraah in our country.