The religion of beauty

The religion of beauty

 

Prepared by

Prof. Ahmed Al-Mazyad

Dr. Khalid Al-Shaya

 

One of the publications of

Introducing the Prophet (peace be upon him) Project

 

Abdul Aziz Bin Fahd Al-Saud

 

 

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the worlds [i.e., people]. May Allah send peace and blessings upon His Prophet Muhammad and upon his brethren Prophets and Messengers.

Human societies need stops to renew their humanity by which they preserve their sublime manners and high values which are considered common human values to which all legislations agreed to confirm.

The one who ponders over the creation of man finds out that man is closely connected with beauty which is the prevailing quality in Allah's Creatures by which man can arrange his transactions and behavior.

Those who ponder over the universe and its creatures notice the features of beauty glittering as Allah told in the Glorious Qur'an: "The Originator of the heavens and the earth." [Surat Al Baqarah: 117]. Who originated them unlike prior example.

Allah (He may be Glorified) says about Himself: "Who made everything He has created good." [Surat As-Sajdah: 6 - 7]. Allah (Glorified and Exalted be He) says: "Allâh, it is He Who has made for you the earth as a dwelling place and the sky as a canopy, and has given you shape and made your shapes good (looking) and has provided you with good things. That is Allâh, your Lord: so Blessed is Allâh, the Lord of the 'Alamîn (mankind, jinn and all that exists)." [Surat Ghafir: 64].

As for man, the origin of his creation is beauty and charm: The beauty of the shape, appearances, and beauty of the inner soul.

A reference to all these meanings came in the Glorious Qur'an in Allah's Saying: "Verily, We created man in the best stature (mould)." [Surat At-Tin: 4].

The meaning of (the best mould) is the best shape in facial appearance followed by cleanliness, order, and arrangement as Allah commanded. The best mould also includes inward and moral aspects which include the natural relationship of man with his Lord, good manners in the relationship of man with another, and the good behavior in the relationship of man with all creatures.

Hence, beauty is not only in facial appearance but also in its integrated system: The beauty of the shape, the beauty of clothes, the beauty of actions which people do, the beauty of sayings which people utter, and the beauty of morals.

The one who contemplates in the Islamic Shari`ah finds out that it considered beauty as a human value and that a handsome person deserves praise and reverence.

In one occasion, the Prophet (peace be upon him) explained that beauty is one of Allah's Qualities and that Allah (Glory be to Him) loves beauty. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Verily, Allah is beautiful and loves beauty." [Reported by Muslim].

The meaning of "Verily, Allah is beautiful" is: Allah has the absolute beauty in Himself, His Qualities, His Actions, and His Words.

The meaning of "loves beauty" is: Allah loves to see His Servants in the best shape, in the best clothes, and in the best behavior and manners.

The Qur'an stressed this important issue in Allah's Saying: "Say (O Muhammad peace be upon him): Who has forbidden the adoration with clothes given by Allah, which He has produced for his slaves, and At-Taiyibat [all kinds of Halal (lawful) things] of food?" [Surat Al A`raf: 32].

So, this is a command from Allah to His Messenger Muhammad (peace be upon him) to rebuke those who constrain people, claiming that Allah prohibited things which are lawful, particularly the adornment of Allah which He granted to people such as clothes and things which they use in decoration as well as (all kinds of food) which are useful and free of harm; these are the things which Allah permitted for His Servants.

The Islamic Shari`ah drew attentions to adornment in virtuous times, honorable occasions, and noble places as Allah said in the Qur'anic Ayah in which He addressed the entire humanity saying: "O Children of Adam! Take your adornment (by wearing your clean clothes) at every masjid." [Surat Al A`raf: 31].

As for Allah's Saying: (O Children of Adam), this is a divine address to all the world.

(Take your adornment) means: Wear the covering clothes which are beautiful, tidy, and clean because this is part of glorifying Allah and His rituals. This divine direction includes also applying perfume (for men) and purification. This Ayah was understood wrongly by some people who have justified nudity and ugliness. As for His Saying: (at every masjid), it means at every prostration to Allah; this is a reference to prayers as well as every ritual occasion.

Beauty in Islam is closely connected with cleanliness, therefore Islamic guidance confirmed the importance of cleanliness in body, garment, and everything around us. In the meantime, it warned against uncleanliness or causing pollution to environment or water bodies.

The Prophetic guidance regarding the importance of cleanliness is numerous to the extent that cleanliness has been made a prerequisite to Salah which are performed five-times a day, where a person is required to wash his hands, face, and feet, in addition to rinsing his mouth and use Istinshaq (inhaling and exhaling water nasally).

Islamic Shari`ah entails that a Muslim should pay attention to the cleanliness and purification whenever he or she goes to bathroom for relieving themselves by cleaning the private parts, and if water is not found, they have to use tissues.

A Muslim should also maintain taking a shower regularly, and the Islamic Shari`ah does not allow a person to stay over seven days without taking a shower.

Islamic guidance came also to stress the importance of body cleanliness for fear of dirt and bad smell.

Islamic guidance also stressed the importance of cleaning nails and not to prolong it for fear of microbes. It also stressed the importance of cleaning the mouth and teeth continuously through rinsing the mouth and using Miswak. Furthermore, it stressed the importance of removing hair from armpit where germs and fungi grow, and removing the pubic hair because it is the spot of sweat, moisture, and close to the dirt coming from the private parts. Hence, microbes multiply in pubic hair, so removing pubic hair regularly has a great effect in prevention, cleanliness, purification, and avoidance of bad odor.

When hands are the means of dealing, hand shaking, etc., Islamic guidance regulated this issue by confirming the use of the right hand in doing good things and using the left hand in removing dirt.

Islamic guidance also stressed the importance of maintaining good odor in clothes and body as well as cleaning and combing head hair.

Prophetic guidance stressed the importance of exchanging perfumes and offering flowers, and when a person is given flowers as a present, he should not refuse it because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "If anyone is given some perfume, he should not refuse it, for it is so light to bear and a thing of good fragrance." [Reported by Abu Dawud and An-Nasa'y]. It was reported in another narration at Imam Muslim that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever is presented with a flower of sweet basil should not reject it, because it is light in weight and pleasant in odor."

In addition to many Prophetic instances that confirm the issue of cleanliness, beauty, and tidiness, and the importance of keeping to that.

Given that women have a special nature because of their softness and gentleness, the Islamic Shari`ah opened the way for them for adornment more than men in many occasions whether in clothes or in body such as make-up, different types of gold, silver, jewels and others to meet the needs of women's nature to adornment since young age.

This Islamic guidance comes in an integrated system to promote human feelings and make them incline to beauty, cleanliness, and anything that pleases oneself.

This sublime Islamic guidance is emerged from a perfect system mentioned in the Qur'an and the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Last word to say: This complete and perfect religion is not recognized by the actions of its followers because they might neglect or misrepresent it, but it is recognized by the Book of Allah [the Glorious Qur'an] and the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

We invoke Allah, the Generous, to bring about happiness and honorable life to all people in this life and in the Hereafter. Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds, and peace be upon His Chosen Servants.

Publisher: Masters of Education Consulting Center

medu.c.center@gmail.com