Question

Is it permissible to trim the beard?

Answer

If it is very big – more than one fist – then you are allowed to trim it up to one fist, however, having a goatee beard is not allowed.  Imam Bukhari rahmatullahi alayh has narrated is his Sahih that Abdullah ibn Umar radiallahu anhuma would take from the length and the width of his beard what was more than one fist – this would be after completing Haj or Umrah (Bukhari, p. 875).  This is also reported from Umar and Abu Hurayrah radiallahu anhuma – in fact, Imam Tirmizi rahmatullahi alayh has narrated this from Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam as well.