The Fifth Habit: Beautifying the Body, Alongside the Nafs
Bismillāh.
This is a reminder first to myself, written in need, not from a place of knowing, but hoping.
If it benefits you too, then All Praise is due to Allah سبحانه وتعالى alone.
Looking after your appearance and putting effort into beautification is not Haraam in itself- but who you beautify for, and why, makes all the difference.
The Prophet ﷺ was known to be neat and fragrant. He loved cleanliness and good appearance - not for vanity, but because Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty.
“Indeed, Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty.”
— Sahih Muslim 91
This beauty is never just surface level. It needs to be rooted in balance, dignity, and cleanliness of the nafs before the body.
Discipline in personal hygiene and appearance reflects gratitude. It shows self-respect. It encourages consistency in our routine and care for others around us.
💬 A Letter to Myself
Dear self,
Caring for yourself is not selfish.
And neglect is not humility.
There is a middle path between obsession and apathy. A path where you honour what Allah سبحانه وتعالى has given, while protecting your heart from pride.
Shower daily. Comb your hair. Clip your nails. Moisturise. Apply perfume (at home). Iron your clothes. Accessorise. Not because people see you but because Allah سبحانه وتعالى does.
When your soul is settled, your outer state begins to reflect it. Start from the inside, and let it show in the way you walk, speak, and care for your body.
🧼 What I’m Trying to Build
Simple, Sunnah-inspired hygiene and beauty habits that bring dignity to daily life:
🧴 1. Revive the Sunnah of Cleanliness
Clip nails regularly
Remove underarm and pubic hair. Maintain this at least every 40 days (Sahih Muslim 258).
Brush teeth with miswāk or toothbrush.
“Had I not feared hardship for my ummah, I would have ordered them to use the miswāk before every prayer.” Sahih al-Bukhari 887
🛁 2. Weekly Ghusl as a Spiritual Reset
The Prophet ﷺ recommended ghusl on Fridays:
“Performing ghusl on Friday is obligatory for every adult...” — Sahih al-Bukhari 877
👗 3. Dress with Dignity, Even at Home
Choose modest, clean, and pleasant clothes not only when going out.
For married sisters: adorn for your husband often.
For all: adorn for yourself - as an act of self-respect and honouring your Imaan.
🧴 4. Use Fragrance in Halal Ways
Scent is from the Sunnah. Use oils or perfume at home.
Do not wear perfume outside where non-mahram men can smell it.
💄 5. Check the Intention Behind Beauty
Beautify for Allah, for your home, for your own well-being.
Avoid extravagance, comparison, and being consumed by social media trends.
🧱 Start Small, Stay Consistent
Set one day a week for a full Sunnah hygiene routine (ghusl, nails, skincare, clean clothes).
Replace one product in your routine with something fragrance-free, natural or ethically sourced.
Unfollow accounts that make you feel insecure or overly concerned with dunya-based beauty.
📖 Qur’an and Sunnah
“Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.”
— Sūrat al-Baqarah (2:222)
“Cleanliness is half of faith.”
— Sahih Muslim 223
“O children of Ādam! Take your adornment at every masjid...”
— Sūrah al-A‘rāf (7:31)
🧵 Final Reflections
You were not created to be careless with your soul, or your appearance.
But neither were you created to be enslaved to perfection.
Discipline in beauty begins with cleanliness, continues with moderation, and is crowned by sincerity.
Look after your body as a gift from Allah سبحانه وتعالى. Let your nafs remain your most beautiful feature.
Sincerely,
still striving, still learning —
your sister in need of Allah.
