Is washing the entirety of the beard obligatory during ablution (Wudu)?
Chapter on the Obligation of Purification
Al-Mughni
Book of Purification
Primary text
Washing the beard, including what extends beyond the boundary of the face, is obligatory. This is the apparent position established by Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) and followed by his school. The evidence is that the beard grows in the place designated for washing the face and thus is included in its name outwardly, similar to an extraneous hand. Furthermore, one confronts others with the face, thus it falls under the designation of 'face' (Wajh). A narration indicates that the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, saw a man covering his beard during prayer and commanded, "Uncover your face, for the beard is part of the face." This contrasts with hair from the head, where the hair that extends beyond its boundary is not included in its designation, and unlike the Khuff (leather sock), where wiping the entirety is not required.
Supporting text
Abu Hanifa and one opinion of Al-Shafi'i hold that washing what hangs down beyond the length and width of the face is not obligatory because it is hair outside the obligatory area, analogous to hair from the head hanging down. A narration from Abu Abdullah (Ahmad) suggests that washing the beard is not from the Sunnah and that only running water through it suffices. Another narration from Abu Hanifa suggests that washing a thick beard is not obligatory because God commanded washing the face, which refers to the skin where confrontation occurs, and hair is not skin. The known position from Abu Hanifa states that one-fourth of the beard must be washed, based on his principle regarding wiping the head.