Cleanliness and Beautification Are Characteristics of Islam

Before directing its attention to the questions of adornment and good appearance, Islam addressed itself in considerable depth to the question of cleanliness, for cleanliness is the essence of good appearance and the beauty of every adornment. It is reported that the Prophet - Peace be on him- said: “Cleanse yourself, for Islam is cleanliness.”, “Cleanliness invites toward faith, and faith leads its possessor to the Garden ”. The Prophet -Peace be on him- placed a great emphasis on keeping the body, clothing, houses, and streets clean, and he laid special stress on cleaning the teeth, hands, and hair. This emphasis on cleanliness is not to be wondered at in a religion which makes cleanliness the key to its principle form of worship, salat, for the Muslim's salat is not acceptable unless his body, clothing, and the place where he performs his salat are all clean. In addition to this requirement' there are the obligatory types of cleansing, either of the entire body in the form of ghusl (total washing), or of those parts of the body which are exposed to dirt, in the form of wudu (ablution for salat). Once a man approached the Prophet - Peace be upon him- with his hair and beard disheveled. The Prophet - Peace be upon him- made some gestures as if asking the man to comb his hair. He did so, and when he returned the Prophet - Peace be upon him- said to him, "Is not this better than that one should come with disheveled hair, looking like a devil?”. A man came to the Prophet - Peace be upon him- wearing cheap-looking garments. "Do you have property?" the Prophet - Peace be upon him- asked him. "Yes," the man replied. "What kind of property?" asked the Prophet - Peace be upon him-, "Allah has given me all kinds of wealth," he said. The Prophet - Peace be upon him- then said to him, "Since Allah has given you wealth, let Him see the effects of His favor and bounty upon you.'' The Prophet - Peace be upon him- insisted that people come to general gatherings, such as the Friday and the 'Eid prayers, nicely dressed and well-groomed. He said, “If you can afford it, it is befitting that you wear garments other than your working clothes to Friday prayer.”


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