The Ritual Bath of Jumu’ah, Entering the Bathhouse, Its Etiquette, and Teachings on Cleanliness and Beautification

Al-Hasan ibn Musa ibn Jafar narrated from his mother and Umm Ahmad bint Musa عليه السلام who said: "We were both with Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام in the desert while we were heading to Baghdad, and on Thursday He عليه السلام said to us, 'Perform ghusl today for tomorrow, Jumu’ah, because water will be scarce tomorrow.' They said: So we performed ghusl on Thursday for Jumu’ah.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whoever performs the ghusl (ritual bath) for Jumu’ah and then says: Ashhadu an lā ilāha illā Allāh waḥdahu lā sharīka lah, wa anna Muḥammadan ‘abduhu wa rasūluh. Allāhumma ṣalli ‘alā Muḥammad wa āli Muḥammad, wa aj‘alnī mina al-tawwābīn wa aj‘alnī mina al-mutaṭahhirīn "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah سبحانه وتعالى, alone without any partner, and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, and make me among those who turn in repentance and make me among those who purify themselves," It will serve as purification for them from (this) Jumu’ah to (next) Jumu’ah.'

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: 'The ghusl (ritual bath) of Jumu’ah is a purification and an expiation for the sins committed between one Jumu’ah and the next (Jumu’ah).'

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said regarding the reason for the Jumu’ah (ritual bath): 'The Ansar (residents of Medina who supported the Prophet) used to work in their fields and with their livestock. When Jumu’ah came, they would attend the mosque, and the people were bothered by the odor from their armpits and bodies. So the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم ordered them to perform ghusl, and thus it became a Sunnah (established practice).'

(Al-Hussain ibn Khalid asked Abu Al-Hasan Al-Awwal عليه السلام) narrates that: ‘It is narrated that 'Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Blessed and Exalted, completes the obligatory prayer with the supererogatory prayer, completes the obligatory fasting with the supererogatory fasting, and completes the wudu (ablution) with the ghusl (ritual bath) of Jumu’ah.’.

Yahya ibn Sa'id Al-Ahwazi narrated from Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Abi Nasr, and him from Muhammad ibn Hamran who reported that Imam Ja'far Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "When you enter the bathhouse (hammam), at the time you remove your clothes, say: Allāhumma inzi‘ ‘annī ribqata al-nifāq wa thabbitnī ‘ala al-īmān 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, remove from me the shackles of hypocrisy and establish me firmly upon faith.' And when you enter the first room (of bathhouse), say: Allāhumma innī a‘ūdhu bika min sharri nafsī wa asta‘īdhu bika min adhāh 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, I seek refuge with You from the evil of my soul and seek Your protection from its harm.'" And when you enter the second room (of bathhouse), say: Allāhumma adhhib ‘annī al-rijsa al-najsa wa ṭahhir jasadī wa qalbī 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, remove impurity and defilement from me, and purify my body and heart.' Take some warm water and pour it over your head and pour it over your feet. If you can drink a sip of it, then do so, as it cleanses the bladder. Remain in the second room for a while. When you enter the third room (of bathhouse), say: Na‘ūdhu billāhi mina al-nār wa nas’aluhu al-jannah 'We seek refuge in Allah سبحانه وتعالى from the Fire and ask Him for Paradise,' and repeat it until the time you leave the hot room (of bathhouse). Be careful not to drink cold water or consuming ‘fuqqa'a’ (like carbonated drinks) in the bathhouse, as it harms the stomach. Do not pour cold water over yourself, as it weakens the body. However, pouring cold water on your feet when leaving will drive away illness from your body. When you put on your clothes, say: Allāhumma albisnī al-taqwā wa jannibnī al-radā 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, clothe me with piety and protect me from ruin.' If you do this, you will be safe from all ailments.'

Muhammad ibn Muslim asked Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام saying: 'Did The Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام prohibit the recitation of the Qur'an in the bathhouse?' Imam عليه السلام said: 'No, he only prohibited a man from reciting while being naked. If he is wearing a waistcloth (covering), then there is no harm.'

Ali ibn Yaqtin said to Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام: 'May I recite (in the bathhouse) and marry (perform a marriage contract) there?' Imam عليه السلام said: 'There is no harm.'

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام was asked about the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted: "Tell the believing men to lower their gaze and guard their private parts; that is purer for them." (Surah An-Nur, 24:30). Imam عليه السلام said: 'Every mention of guarding the private parts in the Book of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, refers to guarding against fornication, except in this instance, where it refers to guarding them from being looked at.'

On the authority of Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام that He said: "Indeed, looking at the private parts of a Muslim is disliked, and looking at the private parts of a non-Muslim is like looking at the private parts of a donkey."

The Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام said: 'What a good place the bathhouse is, where one is reminded of the Fire (Hellfire) and it removes filth.'

Imam عليه السلام said: 'The bathhouse is an undesirable place; it removes coverings (privacy) and takes away modesty.'

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: 'The bathhouse is an undesirable place; it removes coverings (privacy) and exposes the private parts. However, it is a good place as it reminds one of the heats of the Fire (Hellfire).'.

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Whoever believes in Allah سبحانه وتعالى and the Last Day (Qiyamah) should not send his wife to the bathhouse."

Imam عليه السلام said: 'Whoever obeys his wife (in matters of disobedience) will be thrown by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, on his face in the Fire.' It was said: 'What kind of obedience is that?' Imam عليه السلام said: "When She invites him to go to congregation of lamentations to extravagant festivities (weddings), or going to public bathhouses, and or to wear delicate (thin/revealing) clothing; and he approves it for her."

Abu Basir asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام about a man who neglects the Jumu’ah ritual bath (ghusl) either forgetfully or intentionally. Imam عليه السلام said: 'If he was forgetful, his prayer is valid. But if he did so intentionally, then he should seek forgiveness from Allah سبحانه وتعالى and not repeat it.’

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: 'Do not recline in the bathhouse, for it melts the fat around the kidneys. Do not comb your hair in the bathhouse, for it weakens the hair. Do not wash your head with clay, for it disfigures the face,' and in another narration, 'it removes protective modesty (ghayrah). Do not scrub with pottery shards (khuzfah), for it causes leprosy, And do not wipe your face with the izar (waistcloth), for it removes the glamour of the face. And it is narrated that this refers to the clay of Egypt and the khuzfah (pottery) of Sham."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: 'Let each of you adorn himself on Jumu’ah; perform the ritual bath (ghusl), apply perfume, comb your hair, and wear your cleanest clothes. He should prepare for Jumu’ah and embody tranquility and dignity on that day. He should enhance worship your Lord عز وجل excellently and do as much good as you can, for surely Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, looks upon the earth to multiply the good deeds (on Jumu’ah)."

Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام said: 'Do not enter the bathhouse on an empty stomach, and do not enter it until you have eaten something.'

Some have narrated: "Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام exited the bathhouse, dressed, and wrapped a turban upon his head. Imam عليه السلام said: 'I never leave off wearing a turban upon exiting the bathhouse, whether in winter or summer.'

Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام said: 'Bathing in the bathhouse every other day does not increase fat. However, using it daily will deplete the fat of the kidneys.'

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام would apply Nuura (depilatory paste) in the bathhouse, and when he reached the area of the private parts, he would instruct the one applying it to move away, and then he would apply it himself to that area.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام entered the bathhouse, the bathhouse attendant offered to clear it for him. Imam عليه السلام said: 'No, a believer is light in their burdens.’

It was narrated by Ubaidullah Al-Marafiqi that he entered a bathhouse in Medina and saw an elderly man who was the caretaker of the bathhouse. (Al-Marafiqi) said to him: ‘O’ Shaykh, 'To whom does this bathhouse belong?' (Old man) said: ‘It belongs to Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام’ (Al-Marafiqi) asked: 'Did he use to come here?' (Old man) replied: 'Yes.' So (Al-Marafiqi) asked: ‘And what does He do (in the bathhouse)?’ (Old man) said: 'He would enter and first anoint the area around his private parts and what was near it. Then, he would wrap his waistcloth (izar) around the edges of his private area and call me to anoint the rest of his body." One day, I said to him, "What you would dislike for me to see, I have already seen.' Imam عليه السلام said: 'Not at all; the Nuura (depilatory paste) is a form of covering.'

Abdur Rahman ibn Muslim, known as Sa'dan, said: "I was in the middle room of the bathhouse when Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام entered, wearing a cloth over the Nuura (depilatory paste)." Imam عليه السلام said: 'Peace be upon you,' I returned the greeting also. Then I entered the room with the basin, performed my ablution, and left.

Hanan ibn Sudayr narrated from his father: He said: 'I entered a bathhouse in Medina with my father, grandfather, and uncle. There was a man in the changing room.’ Imam عليه السلام said: ”Where are you people from?" We replied: ”From the people of Al-Iraq” . Imam عليه السلام said: ”Which part of Al-Iraq?” We replied: ”From Al-Kufa”. Imam عليه السلام said: ”Welcome, O’ people of Kufa, you are the closest to us.” Then He عليه السلام said: ”Why are you not wearing a covering (waistcloth)? For Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم has said that 'The private parts of a believer are forbidden for another believer to see.'" My uncle then sent for a piece of cloth, cut it into four pieces, and each of us took one before we entered (bathhouse). When we entered into the warm room (of bathhouse), the man turned to my grandfather and said: "O’ elderly man, why do you not use henna (dye)?" My grandfather said: "I have seen someone better than you and me who did not use it." Imam عليه السلام said: "And Who is better than me?" My grandfather replied: “I saw (Imam عليه السلام) Ali ibn Abi Talib and he did not dye his hair." He عليه السلام lowered his head and sweat fell from him, and said: “You have spoken truth and sincere. Then Imam عليه السلام said: "O’ elderly man, if you dye your hair, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم also dyed his hair, and He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم is better than (Imam عليه السلام) Ali. And if you choose not to dye, then you have Sunnah of (Imam عليه السلام) Ali as an example." When we left the bathhouse, we asked about the man in the room, and it was told they are Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain عليه السلام, with his son Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام.”

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: 'The thigh is not considered part of the 'awrah (private parts).'

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "Nuura (depilatory paste) is a purifier."

Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام said: 'Remove the hair from your bodies, for it enhances (your appearance).'

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whoever wishes to use Nuura (depilatory paste), let him take some of it and place it on the tip of his nose and say: Allāhumma irḥam Sulaymān ibn Dāwūd ‘alayhi al-salām kamā amarānā bil-nūrah 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, have mercy on Solomon, son of David عليه السلام, as he instructed us regarding the depilatory paste (Nuura).' If Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic, wills, the paste will not cause him any harm.

It was narrated that "Whoever sits while applying Nuura (depilatory paste), he is at risk of developing a hernia."

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "I like for a believer to use Nuura (depilatory paste) every fifteen days."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "The practice (sunnah) for using Nuura (depilatory paste) is every fifteen days. If twenty days pass without using it and you lack it, then borrow for the sake of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Majestic."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Whoever believes in Allah سبحانه وتعالى and the Last Day (Qiyamah) should not leave the hair of their pubic region untrimmed for more than forty days, and it is not permissible for a woman who believes in Allah سبحانه وتعالى and the Last Day (Qiyamah) to leave it untrimmed for more than twenty days."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Shave the abdomen hair for both males and females." (And in another version, it includes armpit hair).

And Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام would rub Nuura (depilatory paste) to his armpits in the bathhouse and say: 'Plucking the armpit hair weakens the shoulders and diminishes (weakens) the eyesight.'"

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Shaving (unwanted hair) is better than plucking them and using Nuura (depilatory paste) is better than shaving them."

Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "Removing armpit hair eliminates unpleasant odors and is a means of purification and a practice (Sunnah) that was commanded by the Good and Pure Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: 'None of you should allow the hair under his armpits to grow long, for the devil takes it as a shield to hide behind.'

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: ‘A man should avoid the use of Nuura (depilatory paste) on Wednesday, for it is a day of continuous ill-omen, but otherwise the use of Nuura is permissible on all other days.’"

(Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Farisi Al-Fattal narrates from The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم ): “Applying Nuura (depilatory paste) on Jumu’ah, it is said that it can lead to leprosy."

Al-Rayyan ibn Al-Salt narrated from someone, who narrated from Abu Al-Hasan, Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام, said: "Whoever puts on Nuura (depilatory paste) on Jumu’ah and is afflicted with leprosy, let him blame no one but himself."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Whoever applies depilatory substances (to remove body hair) and dyes with henna, Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Most High, protects him from three things: leprosy, vitiligo (a skin disorder), and ‘al-ākilah’ (a type of skin disease or severe wound infection) until the next time he applies it."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Applying henna after the use of Nuura (depilatory paste) is a protection against leprosy and vitiligo."

It is narrated (from Ahmad ibn Abi Abdullah) that he narrates: "Whoever applies a depilatory substance and massages himself with henna from head to toe, Allah سبحانه وتعالى removes poverty from him."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Dye with henna, for it improves eyesight, promotes hair growth, gives a pleasant fragrance, and calms the wife”.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Henna removes the odors, increases radiance in the face, improves breath, and beautifies one's offspring."

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "Dyeing (the hair or beard) is the tradition of Muhammad صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم and it is part of the Sunnah."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in any kind of dyeing."

Al-Hasan ibn al-Jahm entered upon Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام who had dyed his hair with black dye. Imam عليه السلام said: "Indeed, there is a reward in dyeing. Dyeing and grooming are among those things which increase the chastity of women, and some women have abandoned chastity because their husbands have neglected grooming themselves." (ibn Al-Jahm) replied to Him: "We have heard that henna increases gray hair?” Imam عليه السلام said: “What increases gray hair? Gray hair increases every day."

Muhammad ibn Muslim asked Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام about dyeing the hair, and He said: "The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم used to dye, and we still have some of his hair with us."

It is reported that The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم had seventeen gray hairs in his head and beard.

The Prophet, Imam Hussain ibn Ali عليه السلام and Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام used to dye their hair with katam (a plant-based dye often used in combination with henna to produce a darker color).

And Imam Ali ibn Al-Hussain عليه السلام used to dye his hair with both henna and Al-Katam (plant-based black)."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Dyeing (the hair or beard) with black brings comfort to women and inspires awe in enemies."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام commented on the verse of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, "And prepare for them whatever force you can muster" (Surah Al-Anfal; 8:60). Imam عليه السلام said: "Among it is dyeing with black”. (From Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام ); A man entered upon the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم with his beard dyed yellow (light color), and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said to him, "How good this is." Then he entered again after that with his beard dyed with henna (reddish color), and the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم smiled and said: "This is better than the previous." Then he entered again after having dyed it black, and the Prophet smiled and said: "This is better than both of the previous”.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "A woman should not neglect herself, even if it means wearing a necklace around her neck, Nor should She leave her hands without dyeing, even if it is by lightly applying henna, even if She is elderly."

Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام said: "When nails are affected by Nuura (depilatory paste), they can change their appearance, such that they may resemble the nails of the deceased. Therefore, there is no harm in changing (their appearance)."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said to Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام: "O’ Ali, spending a dirham on dyeing is better than spending a thousand dirhams in other paths for the sake of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Glorious. It has fourteen benefits: it repels odors from the ears, improves eyesight, softens the nostrils, freshens breath, strengthens the gums, removes ailments, reduces the whispering of Satan, brings joy to the angels, gladdens the believer, enrages the disbeliever, it is a form of adornment, a fragrance, it makes Munkar and Nakir (the angels who question the dead in their graves) feel shy, and it is a source of innocence (purity) in one's grave”.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "I indeed shave (the head) every Jumu’ah, from one washing to the next."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said to a man: "Shave (the head) for it enhances your beauty."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Shaving the head outside of Hajj or 'Umrah is a form of humiliation for your enemies and a source of beauty for you." The meaning of these words the Prophet became apparent, when He described the Khawarij, saying: "They will exit from the religion as an arrow exits from the bow, and their sign is shaving (the head) completely.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Removing hair from the nose enhances the appearance of the face."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Washing the head with Al-khatmi (a type of herbal shampoo or a plant known as marshmallow root) every Jumu’ah provides protection from vitiligo and insanity."

(Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام ) states: "Washing the head with Al-khatmi (a type of herbal shampoo or marshmallow root) removes poverty and increases sustenance."

In another report, (Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام ) states: "Washing the head with Al-khatmi (a type of herbal shampoo or marshmallow root) is a remedy and a form of refreshment”.

The Commander of the Faithful Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib عليه السلام said: "Washing the head with Al-khatmi (a type of herbal shampoo or marshmallow root) removes dirt and purifies impurities”.

And when the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم was distressed, Archangel Jibril عليه السلام instructed him to wash his head with sidr (lote tree leaves), and this sidr was from the lote tree of Sidrat al-Muntaha (the utmost boundary in the heavens)."

Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام said: "Washing the head with sidr (lote tree leaves) brings sustenance abundantly."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Wash your heads with sidr (lote) leaves, for every Muqarrab Angel and every Mursil Prophet has sanctified it. Whoever washes their head with sidr leaves, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will remove the whisperings of Shaytan (Satan) from them for seventy days. Whoever is free from the whisperings of Shaytan for seventy days will not disobey Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and whoever does not disobey Allah سبحانه وتعالى will enter Paradise."

Imam Hasan ibn Ali عليه السلام came out of the bathhouse, and a man met him and said: "May your (backside) bathing be good." Imam عليه السلام said: "O’ fool, what business do you have mentioning the ‘backside’ here ?" (The man) replied: "May your bath be pleasant" Imam عليه السلام said: "And if my bath is pleasant, what benefit is that to me?" (The man) replied: "May your warm water be pleasant." Imam عليه السلام said: "Woe to you! Do you not know that 'Hamim' (hot water) is sweat?" (The man) asked Him: “So what should I say?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Say: 'May what is purified from you be pleasant, and may what is pleasant from you be purified.'".

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "If your brother says to you after you come out of the bath, 'May your bath be pleasant,' then reply with, 'May Allah سبحانه وتعالى grant you well-being.'"

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Disease is of three types, and the cure is of three types : As for the ailments, they are blood, bile, and phlegm. The cure for blood is with cupping, the cure for phlegm is the bathhouse, and the cure for bile is walking."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "There are three things that can weaken and potentially destroy the body: eating dried meat excessively, entering the bathhouse on a full stomach, and marrying an elderly woman." It is also reported: "Intimacy on a full stomach."

Hisham ibn Salim narrated from Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام that He said: "Trimming the nails on Jumu’ah provides protection from leprosy, insanity, vitiligo, and blindness. If you do not need to trim them, then scrape or clean them."

In another report, it is stated: "If you do not need to trim them (your nails), then pass a knife or scissors over them."

Abd al-Rahim al-Qasir narrated from Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام, that He said: "Whoever trims their nails and mustache every Jumu’ah and says while doing so: Bismillāhi wa billāhi wa ‘alā sunnati Muḥammad wa āli Muḥammad ṣalawātu Allāhi ‘alayhim In the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and by Allah سبحانه وتعالى, and upon the Sunnah of Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, may the blessings of Allah سبحانه وتعالى be upon them,' That no nail or hair clipping will fall except that Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Glorious, will record it as freeing a soul, and such a person will not become ill except for the illness that causes their death."

It is also reported in another narration: "Whoever trims their nails on Jumu’ah should start with the little finger of the left hand and finish with the little finger of the right hand."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Trimming the mustache from one Jumu’ah to the next (Jumu’ah) is protection from leprosy."

Al-Hussain ibn Abi al-'Ala asked Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام: 'What is the reward for someone who trims their moustache and cuts their nails every Jumu’ah?' Imam عليه السلام replied: 'They will remain purified until the next Jumu’ah.'

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "None of you should allow their moustache grow long, for Shaytan uses it as a shield to conceal himself”.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whoever trims their nails on Jumu’ah will not have disheveled fingertips."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whoever trims their nails on Thursday but leaves one nail to trim on Jumu’ah, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will remove poverty from them."

Abdullah ibn Abi Ya'fur said to Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام: "May I be your ransom. It is said that no act brings down sustenance like ta'qeeb (supplications and prayers) between the dawn and sunrise." Imam عليه السلام replied: "Indeed, but I will tell you something even better than that: trimming the mustache and cutting the nails on Jumu’ah."

Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام said: "Whoever trims their nails every Thursday, their child will not suffer from eye ailments”.

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Whoever trims their nails on Saturday and Thursday and trims their mustache will be protected from toothache and eye pain."

Musa ibn Bakr said to Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام: "Our companions say that trimming the mustache and nails is only on Jumu’ah." Imam عليه السلام replied: "Glory be to Allah سبحانه وتعالى! Trim them if you wish on Jumu’ah, or if you wish, on any other day."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: " Trim it when it grows long."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: For men: ‘trim your nails’, and for women: ‘let your nails grow a bit, for it is (source of) beauty for you.’

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "A man should bury his nails and hair when he trims them, and this is a Sunnah."

And it is narrated: "Among the Sunnah (traditions) is the burial of hair, nails, and blood."

Abu Al-Hasan Imam Ali ibn Musa Ar-Ridha عليه السلام was asked about the saying of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Mighty and Glorious: 'Take your adornment at every place of worship.' (Surah Al-A’raf 7:31). Imam عليه السلام said: "Part of that includes combing one's hair before every prayer”.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Combing the hair removes ailments, and combing the beard strengthens the teeth."

Abu Al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام said: "When you comb your beard and head, pass the comb over your chest as well, for it removes worry and lethargy”.

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whoever combs their beard seventy times and counts it one by one will not be approached by Shaytan (Satan) for forty days."

Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام said: "Comb your hair with combs made of ivory, for it removes ailments."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Combing the hair removes ailments," referring specifically to fever. In a narration by Ahmad ibn Abi Abdullah al-Barqi, it is stated: 'It removes fatigue,' meaning weakness. Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, said: 'And do not slacken in My remembrance,' (Surah Taha 20:42) meaning do not become weak.

Abu al-Hasan Imam Musa ibn Jafar Al-Kadhim عليه السلام said: "There are three things which, if a person understands them, they will not abandon: trimming the hair, shortening the garment, and marrying bondwomen."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said to some of his companions: "Cut your hair short to reduce its dirt, pests, and grime; it will strengthen your neck, improve your eyesight, and provide relief for your body."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Whoever grows their hair should take good care of it or cut it short."

He عليه السلام said: "Beautiful hair is part of Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى provision, so honor it."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whoever grows their hair and does not part it, Allah سبحانه وتعالى will part it with a saw of fire."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Trim your mustaches and let your beards grow, and do not resemble the Jews."

"The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم once saw (looked) a man with a long beard, and said: "It would have been better if he had trimmed his beard. When the man heard this, he trimmed his beard to a moderate length. Then entered to see the Prophet. When the Prophet saw him, He صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "This is how you should do it. "

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "The Magians (Zoroastrians) trim their beards and let their mustaches grow long, but we trim the mustaches and let the beards grow, and this is the natural disposition (fitrah)."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Whatever extends beyond a fist-length of the beard is in the Fire."

Muhammad ibn Muslim said: "I saw Imam Muhammad ibn Ali Al-Baqir عليه السلام while the barber was trimming his beard, and Imam عليه السلام said: 'Shape it evenly.'

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "Hold your beard with your hand (in a fist) and trim what is excess."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Gray hair at the front of the head is a sign of blessing, at the temples is a sign of generosity, at the hair ends is a sign of courage, and at the nape of the neck is a sign of ill-omen."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "The first person to have gray hair was Ibrahim عليه السلام, the Friend (Khaleel) of Allah سبحانه وتعالى. When he saw a white strand in his beard, He عليه السلام said: 'O’ Archangel Jibril عليه السلام, what is this?' Archangel Jibril عليه السلام said: "'This is dignity (Waqar).' So Ibrahim عليه السلام replied: 'O’ Allah سبحانه وتعالى, increase me in dignity.'

Imam عليه السلام said: "Whoever grows a gray hair in Islam, it will be a light for them on the Day of Judgment."

The Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم said: "Gray hair is light, so do not pluck it."

"It is reported that Imam Ali عليه السلام saw no harm in cutting gray hair but disliked plucking it."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام says: "There is no harm in cutting gray hair or plucking it, but cutting it is more beloved to me than plucking it."

Imam Jafar ibn Muhammad Al-Sadiq عليه السلام said: "There are four traits of the Prophets: using fragrance, grooming with a razor, shaving the body with Nuura (depilatory paste), and frequenting the mosque."

Imam عليه السلام said: "Trim your nails on Tuesday, bathe on Wednesday, fulfil your need for cupping (hijama) on Thursday, and use your best fragrance on Jumu’ah."