Nor shall it ever be. A proper Islam beard is long enough to be grabbed by the fist (sounds like something I would not want in hand-to-hand combat).

During what was called the hostage crisis in Iran, my uncle grew a beard, formally announcing to the family he would not remove it until the U.S. hostages were freed. I don't think anyone has asked him what the holdup is on this, but he still sports that beard.

Anyway, I keep mine nicely trimmed, which my supervisor appreciates, my wife scratches, and which also saves my chin from the ravages of that steel blade I used for more than 20 years (but I still manage the occasional neck-nick).

Dan