Commentary on the Hadith Concerning the traits of Al-Fitra

Praise be to Allah,

 

It was narrated from Aboo Hurayrah (R.A), that the Messenger of Allaah (PBUH) said,

 

“The Fitrah is five things:

 

1) Circumcision,

2) Shaving the pubes,

3) Trimming the mustache,

4) Clipping the nails,

5) And plucking the armpit hair.”[i]

 

Ikh-tilaaf [Difference of Opinion]

The scholars have agreed to the commandability (Istih-baab) of performing the above-mentioned matters of Fitrah with the exception of al-Khitaan (circumcision). They

differed about:

 

(1) Whether it is Mustahabb (commendable) or Waajib (obligatory)?

 

(2) At what age does it become obligatory?

 

(3) Is it obligatory upon both men and women or men only?

The correct position in these matters concerning circumcision is:

 

(1) It is Waajib (obligatory),

 

(2) It becomes obligatory at the age of al-Buloog (Puberty) when the person becomes responsibly for at-Tahaarah (Ritual Purification like Wudoo‟ and Ghusl) and As- Salaat (Prayer),

 

(3) It is obligatory upon men only (not women). Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:

‘The most correct view is that it is obligatory in the case of men and Sunnah in the case of women. The difference between them is that in the case of men, it serves an interest which has to do with one of the conditions of prayer, namely purity (taharah), because if the foreskin remains, when the urine comes out of the urethra, some of it will collect there, and this causes burning and infection every time the person moves, and every time the foreskin is squeezed, some drops of urine come out, thus causing najaasah (impurity).

In the case of women, it serves a useful purpose which is to reduce desire. This is seeking perfection, not removing something harmful’.

Al-Sharh al-Mumti’, 1/133-134

 

Important Points Derived from the Hadeeth:

 

1. That the Fitrah (Nature) upon which Allaah has created the human being calls to every kind of good and repulses every kind of evil.

 

2. That these five noble characteristics (mentioned in this hadeeth) are from the Fitrah created by Allaah which He loves and commands us to observe. He has made those whose nature is still in tack to be inclined to these things and to be repulsed by their opposites.

 

3. The Islamic Deen offers and calls for cleanliness, beautification, and perfection.

 

4. It is legislated in Islam that a Muslim should adhere to these things [as well as the other aspects of the Fitrah] regularly and not allow them to go unattended for long periods of time.

 

It was narrated that Anas ibn Maalik (R.A) said: Anas said,

“A time limit was set for us for trimming the mustache, clipping the nails, plucking the armpit hair, and shaving the pubes: that was not to be left for more than forty days.”[ii]

 

5. The number five that is mentioned in this hadeeth does not mean that the matters of Fitrah are limited to five. It is reported in Saheeh Muslim: The Prophet (PBUH) used to mention different items of the things of Fitrah according to that which was appropriate or suitable for the occasion.

 

6. Al-Haafidh Ibn Hajar said: “There are religious and worldly benefits connected to these five noble characteristics, including beautification of one’s outward appearance, cleanliness of the body, taking precautions to preserve one‟s state of Taharah (ritual purification for worship), differing from the ways and practices of the disbelievers and fulfillment of the commands of the Law- Maker (Allaah, the Most High).”

 

7. The things which we find the youth (young ladies and men) engaging in these days such as allowing their fingernails to grow long, and the young men growing long mustaches – all of these things are prohibited by the Islamic Law, as well as being ugly and distasteful from a rational point of view. The Islaamic Deen only commands us with that which is good and only prohibits us from that which is bad. However, blind following of the foreign disbelievers has reversed the realities, made that which is ugly seem good, and caused the people to flee from that which is good (Islaamically, rationally, or otherwise).

 

8. What is best is trimming for the mustache and plucking for the underarms and shaving the pubic hair. If plucking is difficult, then he can remove the hair by any means of removal.

 

Allah Knows Best.

 

Copied from Sources:

Arousing the Intellects with the Explanation of Umdatul Ahkaam. The Book Of At-Taharaah by Allama Sheikh Salih Ibn Uthaymeen (May Allah have mercy on him). page  77

Tayseer al-Allaam Sharh Umdatul-Ahkaam by Shaykh Abdullah ibn Abdur – Rahmaan Aal Bassaam. Page 60

https://islamqa.info/en/answers/9412/circumcision-how-it-is-done-and-the-rulings-on-it

 

[i] Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 2, Hadeeth Number 598, p. 383

[ii] Saheeh Muslim, Volume 1, Book 2, Hadeeth Number 599, p. 383-384] – Ed