A healthy mind resides in a healthy body as they say, which may seem easy to practice but is often overlooked. Many of us are too occupied with the hurly-burly of city life that we neglect our peace of mind and physical health. But, good self-care is essential for improving your mood and reducing anxiety. Besides, every Muslim is entirely responsible for the health of both his\her body and soul: “and surely there are rights for your body over you” [1]. To entirely commit to Allah’s commands and be able to worship Him devotedly, A Muslim requires a healthy and robust body. That is one of the reasons behind the importance of self-care and hygiene in Islam. Let’s see how one should take care of him\herself according to the Islamic guidelines. 

Personal Hygiene in Islam

Hygiene is a topic always emphasized in Islamic instructions. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) advised maintaining health by any means possible [2]. And this manner was highly observed by all the prophets sent by Allah [3]. Moreover, maintaining hygiene in Islam is introduced as a way to live a longer life [4]. According to Islamic instructions, personal hygiene can be summarized as follows: 

1. Washing Hands and Cleaning the Body

In this regard, there are many teachings from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP). Washing the head and body is of the rights of Allah almighty over every Muslim [5]. One should not sleep at night without having washed his hands [6]. After getting up in the morning, one should not touch any dishes unless having hands washed three times [7]. Imam Ali (AS) advised washing the body with water to eliminate unpleasant body smell and care about hygiene and sanitation [8]. Imam Sadiq (AS) emphasized on cutting hair to remove any filth and dirt [9]. 

2. Observing Oral Hygiene in Islam

Brushing teeth is repeatedly stressed as an important part of hygiene in Islam. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) considered brushing the teeth as one of the significant hygienic manners [10] and said that if it were not difficult for his people, he would have ordered Muslims to brush their teeth before each prayer (Salat) [11]. Respecting oral hygiene is so important in Islam that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) said, if you do not have a toothbrush available, use one of the fingers to brush your teeth [12]. He criticized those who came to him without having the teeth brushed and with the mouth smelling unpleasant [13].

Some benefits for brushing the teeth include cleaning the mouth, improving the eyesight, pleasing Allah Almighty, whitening the teeth, preventing tooth decay, strengthening gums, increasing the appetite, eliminating the Phlegm, improving memory [14].

Moreover, using a toothpick to remove the food that remains from between the teeth was advised from the time of the Prophet (PBUH&HP). He has praised those who use the toothpick along with doing ablution (Wudhu) and after each meal [15]. Imam Ali (AS) had also urged his (AS) family to use toothpick [16]. 

3. Nail Clipping

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) advised Muslim men and women to clip their nails regularly as it is where the dirt and grime aggregate [17]. It is also strongly advised to clip nails on Friday and to say the following after that: “Bismillah wa billah wa ala sunnat e muhammadin wa aale Muhammad” [18]. 

4. Removing Unwanted Body Hair

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH&HP) has several pieces of advice in this regard. He encourages faithful men and women to remove unwanted body hair regularly [19]. Imam Ali (AS) has advised removing armpit hair to maintain hygiene and avoid unpleasant body odor [21]. 

Finally, you may find these instructions very basic and elementary, impossible not to know them. It may be so, but mentioning these guidelines in such details in Islam uncovers its holistic and perfect approach to life, considering all the facets of human life. On the other hand, sometimes we even forget to do these apparently simple things, and Islam reminds us of their importance despite being easy to do. 

References:

1. Ibn Babawayh “Uyoun Akhbar Al-Ridha”, vol. 2, p. 158.
2. M. Suyuti, "Al-Jami' al-Saghir", vol. 2, p. 688.
3. Shaykh al-Harrani, "Tuhaf al-Uqul", p.442.
4. Shaykh Mufid, "Al-Amali", p. 60.
5. M. Suyuti, "Al-Jami' al-Saghir", vol. 1, p. 579.
6. Shaykh al-Tabarsi, "Makarim al-akhlaq", p. 425.
7. M. Suyuti, "Al-Jami' al-Saghir", vol. 1, p. 69.
8. Ibn Babawayh “Al-Khisal”, p. 620.
9. Shaykh al-Kolayni, "Al-Kafi", vol. 6, p. 484.
10. Ibn Babawayh, "Kitab Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih", vol. 1, p. 53.
11. Shaykh al-Kolayni, "Al-Kafi", vol. 3, p. 22.
12.  M. Suyuti, "Al-Jami' al-Saghir", vol. 1, p. 475.
13. Kh. Al-Barqi, “Al-Mahasin”, p. 561.
14. Shaykh al-Tabarsi, “Makarim al-Akhlaq”, p. 50.
15. Qadi Nu'man, "Da'a'im al-Islam", vol. 2, p 120-121.
16. Shaykh al-Tabarsi, “Makarim al-Akhlaq”, p. 153.
17. Shaykh al-Tabarsi, “Makarim al-Akhlaq”, p. 66.
18. Ibn Babawayh “Al-Khisal”, p. 391.
19. Ibn Babawayh, "Man La Yahduruhu al-Faqih", vol. 1, p. 119.
20. Shaykh al-Harrani, "Tuhaf al-Uqul", p. 101.

“Modesty and faith are connected with one another just like two things fastened by a rope. If one of them is gone, the other is also lost” [1]. Imam Baqir (AS). Modesty is a special sense that prevents one from saying inappropriate words and making mistakes. It refers to an uncomfortable feeling accompanied by embarrassment, caused by one's anxiety about being exposed to some unworthy or indecent conduct. This concept, as one of the highest and most fundamental moral qualities, is known as Haya in Islam. Modesty in Islam describes shyness and shame, but Haya represents a more profound implication that is based on faith. In many sayings (Hadiths), it has been quoted that modesty is linked with faith and originates from it [1, 2]. Hence, it is one of the most important characteristics that every Muslim should acquire and possess [3]; particularly Muslim women (“haya is a good characteristic for all, but is better for women” [4]).

Modesty in Islam: natural and acquired

There are two types of modesty: natural and acquired. An example of the former is the feeling of shyness and humility naturally occurring in a young child that makes him/her cover the private parts of the body from others. Or, in the story of Eve and Adam (PBUT) where they realize their nakedness and try to hide their genitals. This kind of modesty is common sense that exists within all human beings, believer or non-believer: “God Almighty divided the modesty among people just as He divided the provision” [5], and what differentiates them from animals: “If modesty did not exist … the promises wouldn’t be kept … Nobody would do any good, and nobody would refrain from the evil … if it weren’t for modesty, many people wouldn’t stop sinning.” [6]. Modesty serves as a cover on the soul that conceals the defects and calms down wrath and lust [7]. No one can, therefore, justify his/her sins and mistakes because of not being naturally given a sense of modesty.

The latter, on the other hand, can be only attained as a result of knowing and perceiving the Glory of Allah and minding His presence everywhere and in every second. In Islamic ethics, modesty is more than just a question of how a person dresses and acts in social interactions; instead, it is reflected in a Muslim’s conduct before God, before others, and even when one is alone.

Modesty towards others

Modesty towards others entails that one has decent and reasonable behavior in public, avoids indecent talks and vain activities, and respects everyone around him/her. If one has developed this ethical aspect within him/her and obeyed this sense, he/she will become ashamed when someone notices him doing something wrong. This feeling will be even worse when the other person is in a higher position. This, consequently, stops him/her from repeating that action.

To clarify the importance of modesty towards people, Imam Ali (AS) said that the evilest of all is who is not ashamed of his actions in front of people [8].

Modesty towards others includes especially the opposite gender and involves not gazing at them [9], harming them in any way or indulging in any forbidden (Haram) relation with them. In Surah Nur, Allah guides both men and women to the key to modesty by saying that believing men and women should lower their gaze and guard their modesty (24:30-31).

A good instance of modesty in the interactions between opposite genders is described in Surah Qasas, verses 23-26, between the daughters of Shoaib (PBUH) and Moses (PBUH). These verses demonstrate that the daughters of the prophet work and appear in society, but they care about how they interact with others; they concentrate on what they should do without having unnecessary dialogues with men. They communicate as much as necessary, with respect and dignity. Their speech is direct and clear-cut with Moses, so are Moses’s words. Even the way they both walk is with care and shyness [10].

Modesty towards Oneself

Modesty towards oneself means that a person treats himself fairly in private. It is caused by the unpleasant feeling that arises when thinking of or doing something improper which consequently stops one from forbidden (Haram) thoughts or illicit acts. It was mentioned that when one does something indecent and suddenly notices the presence of others, he becomes ashamed (if he still possesses the natural modesty that is laid within his soul); a higher level of Haya is being ashamed of oneself when no one else is present. This kind of modesty is known as the yield of faith: “The shame a person feels from himself originates from [his] faith.” [11].

Modesty towards God

Modesty towards God is called the best level of modesty [12]: “be modest in front of Allah for He has a right to your modesty” [13]. To accomplish this, one should first believe that nothing can be concealed from God “Does he not know that Allah sees [him]?” (96:14). In fact, Allah sees and knows everything, and is closer to humans more than themselves: “and We are nearer to him than [his] jugular vein” (50:16). Consequently, a modest person toward God will avoid any indecent act, in public or private, and will leave sinful thoughts behind.

References:

1. M. al-Kulaynī, “Al-Kafi”, vol. 2, p. 106.
2. M. B. Majlesi, “Bihar al-Anwar”, vol. 75, p. 309.
3. M. al-Kulaynī, “Al-Kafi”, vol. 2, p. 106, T. 5.
4. A. Q. Payande, “Nahj Al-Fasahah”, p. 578, T. 2006.
5. S. H. al-Amili, “Wasail al-Shia”, vol. 20, p. 135.
6. M. B. Majlesi, “Mofazzal monotheism”, Chapter: Human Senses.
7. “Nahj al-Balagha”, no. 223
8. “Ghurar Al-Hikam”, no. 5464
9. M. B. Majlesi, "Bihar al-Anwar”, vol. 101, p. 40.
10. N. Makarem Shirazi, “Tafsir Nemooneh”, vol. 16, p 58-59.
11. “Ghurar Al-Hikam”, no. 4944.
12. “Ghurar Al-Hikam”, no. 5451.
13. H. T. Nuri Ṭabarsi, “Mustadrak al-Wasail”, vol. 8, p. 462.