Take care of your outside as well as of your inside

 

A person who has a pure soul cares about wearing clean clothes. Some wise people have even said:

 

` "When one's garment becomes soiled, his soul will follow suit."

 

The root of vexation for many people is in being neither neat nor organized nor punctual; for others, it is in having bad hygiene, dirty clothes, or a sloppy appearance.

 

The universe is based on order. In fact, to truly understand the depth and wisdom of our religion, one should appreciate that it came to organize our lives in both small and large matters. Everything with Allah is according to a measure. Tirmidhi related the following hadith:

 

"Verily, Allah is beautiful and He loves beauty."

 

Imam Bukhari related the following hadith in his Saheeh:

"It is a right (incumbent) upon a Muslim to take a shower at least one day out of every seven. In it, he washes his head and his body."

 

This is the least that can be expected. Some of our pious predecessors would take a shower once a day, as has been transmitted to us about 'Uthmaan ibn 'Affaan (may Allah be pleased with him).

 

(This is a spring of water to wash in, cool and a [refreshing] drink.)

(Quran 38: 42)

 

Growing a beard, trimming ones moustache, cutting one's nails, brushing one's teeth, using perfume, washing one's clothes, and generally taking care of one's outward appearance --- these are all acts that are intrinsic to man. Performing these acts of hygiene makes one feel comfortable and good. It is also recommended to wear white, for the Prophet (Blessings and Peace be upon him) said,

"Wear white and use it as a shroud for your dead."

 

You should organize your appointments in a small journal or notebook, allocating time to read, to worship, to exercise, and so on.

 

([For] each and every matter there is a Decree [from Allah].)

(Quran 13: 38)

 

And there is not a thing, but with us are the stores thereof And We send it not down except in a known measure.  (Quran 15: 21)

 

In the library of congress hangs a large placard and written on it are the words, "The Universe is Based on Order". This is true, for the divinely revealed Religion calls for order, organization, and harmony in action.

 

Allah informed us that the affairs of the universe are not based on play and frivolity, but are by preordainment, decree, measurement, and organization.

 

)The sun and the moon run on their fixed courses (exactly) calculated with measured out stages for each [for reckoning, etc. ].)   (Quran 55: 5)

 

(It is not for the sun to overtake the moon, nor does the night outstrip the day. They all float, each in an orbit)    (Quran 36: 40)

 

(And the moon, we have measured for it mansions [to traverse] till it returns like the old dried curved date stalk.)      (Qur'an 36: 39)

 

(And We have appointed the night and the day as two Aayaat [signs etc. ]. Then, we have made dark the sign of the night while We have made the sign of day illuminating, that you may seek bounty from your Lord, and that you may know the number of the years and the reckoning. And We have explained everything [in detail with full explanation)

(Qur'an 17: 12)

 

('Our Lord! You have not created (all) this without purpose, glory be to you!)      (Qur'an 3: 191)

 

(We created not the heavens and the earth and all that is between them for a [mere] play. Had we intended to take a pastime [i.e. a wife or a son, etc.], we could surely have taken it from us, if we were going to do (that)                     (Qur'an 21: 16-17)

 

(And Say [O' Muhammad]: 'Do Deeds!)  (Qur'an 9: 105)

 

When a mentally sick patient would be brought to the sages of Greece for treatment, they would force him to work in farming and in gardens. Only a short time would pass before he would return to health.

 

Tradesmen who work with their hands are, as a class, more happy, easygoing, and calm than others. If you observe laborers, you will notice strength of body and peace of mind. Both of these are consequences of a satisfaction that comes with movement, exercise, and work.

 

"And I seek refuge in You (Allah) from incapability and laziness. "