If there is ijma on fistful length beard,why do many contemporary Shafi and Maliki ulema have very short beards and have also given fatwa on the permissibility of such?JazaakAllahu Khair

The rulings of contempory Ulama do not effect the ijma (consensus) of the
illustrious Fuqaha. Imam Malik (RA), Imam Shafi (RA), Imam Ahmed ibn Hambal
(RA), and Imam Abu Hanifa (RA) on keeping a fistful length beard.
Furthermore, it is the responsibility of the Ulama to encourage people
towards the sunnah of Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam). Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam), as well as every prophet of Allah had a full
beard. To issue a fatwa contrary to the practise and sunnah of Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) contravenes the prime responsibility of the
Ulama - practising and promoting the mubarak sunnah of Rasulullah
(Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam).

and Allah Ta'ala Knows Best

Mufti Ebrahim Desai
FATWA DEPT.