Cleanliness and Beautification in Islam

Before directing its attention to the questions of adornment and good
appearance, Islam addressed itself in considerable depth to the
question of cleanliness, for cleanliness is the essence of good
appearance and the beauty of every adornment.
It is reported that the Prophet (peace be on him) said:
"Cleanse yourself, for Islam is cleanliness."(Reported by Ibn Hayyan.)
"Cleanliness invites toward faith, and faith leads its possessor to
the Garden.(Reported by al-Tabarani.)"
The Prophet (peace be on him) placed a great emphasis on keeping the
body, clothing, houses, and streets clean, and he laid special stress
on cleaning the teeth, hands, and hair.
This emphasis on cleanliness is not to be wondered at in a religion
which makes cleanliness the key to its principle form of
worship,salat,for the Muslim'ssalat isnot acceptable unless his body,
clothing, and the place where he performs hissalatare all clean. In
addition to this requirement' there are the obligatory types of
cleansing, either of the entire body in the form ofghusl(total
washing), or of those parts of the body which are exposed to dirt, in
the form ofwudu(ablution forsalat).
The desert environment of Arabia and the nomadic life of its people
were not very conducive to cleanliness and refinement, and most of
them neglected these aspects. The Prophet (peace be on him), with his
lively instruction and to-the-point admonition, gradually led them out
of their uncouth habits and taught them refinement and civil manners.
Once a man approached the Prophet (peace be on him) with his hair and
beard disheveled. The Prophet (peace be on him) made some gestures as
if asking the man to comb his hair. He did so, and when he returned
the Prophet (peace be on him) said to him,
"Is not this better than that one should come with disheveled hair,
looking like a devil?"(Reported by Malik inAl-Muwatta.)
On another occasion the Prophet (peace be on him) saw a man with
unkept hair and remarked,
"Does he have nothing with which to comb his hair?"(Reported by Abu Daoud.)
Upon seeing another man with dirty clothes he remarked,
"Cannot he find anything with which to wash his clothes?"(Reported by
Abu Daoud.)
A man came to the Prophet (peace be on him) wearing cheap-looking
garments. "Do you have property?" the Prophet (peace be on him) asked
him. "Yes," the man replied. "What kind of property?" asked the
Prophet (peace be on him). "Allah has given me all kinds of wealth,"
he said. The Prophet (peace be on him) then said to him, "Since Allah
has given you wealth, let Him see the effects of His favor and bounty
upon you.'' (Reported by al-Nisai.)
The Prophet insisted that people come to general gatherings, such as
the Friday and the 'Eid prayers, nicely dressed and well-groomed. He
said,If you can afford it, it is befitting that you wear garments
other than your working clothes to Friday prayer.(Reported by Abu
Daoud.)