As-Salāmu ‘Alaykum,
Bismillāh:
Before the noble reader is an article discussing a few points on basic Islamic hygiene. The article is taken from Shaykh, Dr. Ṣāliḥ Fawzān’s “Explanation of Akhṣar al-Mukhtaṣirāt (1).” The organizer of the book, Dr. Salmān al-Suwaylim, provided the aḥādīth in the footnotes.
[1]: Cleaning One’s Teeth: Using the siwāk (2) is a highly recommend sunnah. There are many aḥādīth that mention the Messenger of Allāh, prayers and peace upon him, encouraged the use of the siwāk. The siwāk cleanses the mouth and removes foul odors. Using it is from Islamic etiquette.
The Messenger of Allāh, prayers and peace upon him, said: “If it wasn’t for the fact that I do not want to cause hardship on my nation, I would have ordered that the siwāk be used for every wuḍū.” [Bukhārī]
[2]: Moisturizing One’s Hair: It is recommended to moisturize one’s hair every other day, just as the Messenger, prayers and peace upon him, would do. (3)
[3]: Looking at One’s Self in the Mirror: It is recommended to look at one’s self in the mirror when he finishes cleaning and beautifying himself. One looks in the mirror because there is a possibility that something needs to be adjusted or tweaked. Thus, one looks in the mirror before going out to meet people. This is the sunnah. The Messenger of Allah, prayers and peace upon him, used to look in the mirror (4).
[4]: Using Delightful Fragrances (5): This is done because all of the Prophets did so. It is also done so that a person’s scent is pleasant, not offensive. So, he applies fragrances when he generally goes to prayer, and specifically when he goes to Friday prayer (al-Jumu’ah). He also uses delightful fragrances in the circles of remembrance and when he goes to gatherings.
[5]: Shaving the Pubic Area: It is recommended to remove the hair from one’s pubic area. This can be done by any means that serves the purpose. This is also from the ways of the Prophets.
[6]: Trimming the Mustache Closely: So, one does not let his mustache grow long. Likewise, he does not shave it completely because that is considered a form of disfigurement. He leaves its origin. This is because the Messenger, prayers and peace upon him, did not command us to shave it completely; rather, he ordered us to trim it closely (6). This is a form of beautification for men.
[7]: Trimming One’s Nails: From the way of the Prophet is to trim one’s fingernails and toenails, they are not to be left long. Leaving them long is considered ugliness and a resemblance to predatory animals.
[8]: Removing One’s Underarm Hair: One also removes the hair from his underarms by any means that serve the purpose. This is because leaving hair to grow under the arms is ugly and it causes an unpleasant odor. [End of Shaykh Fawzān's words]
I ask Allāh, The Most High, to beautify our appearances, just as he has beautified our hearts with al-tawhīd and our actions with the sunnah. And our last supplication is that All praise belongs to Allāh.
Translated by:Abū Ādam Jamīl Finch
Umm al-Qurā University, College of Sharī̄’ah
Makkah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Dhūl-Ḥijjah 21, 1432/November 17, 2011
(1) Ṣālih al-Fawzān, Explanation of Akhṣar al-Mukhtaṣirāt, vol. 1, pp. 75-83, abridged in places, [Dār al-‘Āsimah]
(2) [TN]: Likewise, a toothbrush
(2) [TN]: Likewise, a toothbrush
(3) Abdullāh b. Mugaffal narrated: “The Messenger of Allāh, prayers and peace upon him, prohibited us from tending to our hair, except for every other day.” [Abī Dawūd #4159, Authenticated by: al-Albānī]
[TN]: Faḍālah b. ‘Ubayd, narrated: “The Messenger prohibited us from too much luxury.” [Abī Dawūd #4160, Authenticated by: al-Albānī]
(4) Ibn ‘Abbās narrated: “When the Messenger of Allāh, prayers and peace upon him, looked in the mirror, he would say: ‘All praise is due to Allāh, He who beautified my figure and adorned on me that which was not adorned on others.’ ” [Musnad Abī Y’alā vol.4/pg. 487]
(4) Ibn ‘Abbās narrated: “When the Messenger of Allāh, prayers and peace upon him, looked in the mirror, he would say: ‘All praise is due to Allāh, He who beautified my figure and adorned on me that which was not adorned on others.’ ” [Musnad Abī Y’alā vol.4/pg. 487]
(5) [TN]: Women do not wear fragrances in the presence of foreign men.
(6) Ibn ‘Umar narrated: The Messenger of Allāh, prayers and peace upon him, said: “Trim the mustaches closely and grow the beards.” [Bukhārī and Muslim]
