Some Shaafi scholars say that according to the Shaafi' Math-hab it is permissible to cut the beard less than a fist-length, and even shaving the beard

Answer

The 'scholar' is a moron. It is compulsory for Shaafis to keep a full beard. While according to the Hanafi Math-hab, the beard is cut after it increases more then a fist length, this is not allowed for Shaafis. They have to allow the beard to grow without cutting, regardless of the lengrth it attains.