Must Muslim Men Wear Beards?

Many Muslim men wear a beard to follow the example of the Prophet (pbuh). The beard can be a sign of religiosity within the Muslim community and an identifying mark of a practicing Muslim man. The beard is not mentioned in the Qur'an, but a number of hadith speak positively of the beard and the way in which it is to be kept. Some Muslims believe the beard is a religious obligation and grow their beard to fist length or longer in keeping with what they believe was the example of Muhammad (pbuh) and his companions. Others maintain a short beard and do not consider the length of the beard to be important or a sign of piety.