#Life

The Ultimate Muslim Men’s Guide to Grooming

Published

December 31, 2014

Omar Usman

Every time I solicit khutbah topic ideas from people, someone inevitably suggests istinjā (how to clean yourself after using the restroom). Although not the typical heart-stirring, faith-boosting, spiritually-uplifting, ready-to-change-the-world type of topic – it is a pressing need. It seems many people weren’t taught simple common sense. Beyond that, there are some unique challenges Muslim men face. For example, what kind of hair product will keep you looking sharp— but is able to survive repeated wiping from wet hands during wudu?

In this guide we’ll cover what you need to make sure you’re following the sunnah, and we’ll also cover how to take your game to the next level.

Foundation

Hadith of the fitra–

Five are the acts of Fitra: circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, cutting the nails, plucking the hair under the armpits and clipping the mustache [Muslim].

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Keeping your hair and beard neat and clean-

The Messenger of Allah was in the mosque when a man came in with dishevelled hair and beard. The Messenger of Allah motioned with his hand that he should be sent out to groom his hair and beard. The man did so and then returned. The Messenger of Allah said, “Isn’t this better than that one of you should come with his head dishevelled, as if he were a shaytan?” [Malik]

Personal hygiene is a habit-

“[The Messenger of Allah ] fixed the time for us paring the mustache, trimming the fingernails, shaving the pubic hairs and plucking the underarm hairs – that we not leave it for more than forty days.” [Tirmidhi]

Deodorant

Normally a discussion on the importance of using deodorant and which brand to use happens around … 7th grade. Unfortunately, it seems a lot of people missed out on that talk.

If you don’t use any, please do. If you don’t think you need it because you’ve never used it before, please start. The only real tip to add here would be to use deodorant and avoid antiperspirants (they clog you up).

Beard

The hardest part about a beard is learning to trim it yourself. Finding a barber who knows how to properly handle a long beard can be difficult. Although, as hipster beards become more commonplace it is hoped that some hipster barbershops will help serve the ummah in this regards.

Trimming

I prefer the scissor method. Automatic clippers work so well for up to a certain length, after that you have to get all artisanal with your facial hair. If you opt for the clipper route, any run of the mill clipper will do fine.

I recommend grabbing a Philips Norelco 7300 – This will help you clean up the mustache area and around the lip. The major bonus of this item is that it has a vacuum so you don’t get hair all over the sink.

Soft

There’s now a whole industry around beard care products. Make sure you are shampooing/conditioning your beard. A couple of products to try.

Shampoo and Conditioners

Mountaineer Shampoo
Billy Jealousy Beard Shampoo
B&B Tonic Spray (works great to comb your beard after a shower)

Oils

Beard creams / balms

Honest Amish All-Natural Leave in Beard Conditioner
Mountaineer Heavy Duty Beard Balm
Elegance Beard Cream (works great after putting oil in your beard, and has a super fresh minty scent)

Beard Brush

*Be careful here. Most brushes use boar hair (i.e. swine). This is the only one I was able to find that uses horse hair.

On the Go

Make sure you keep a pocket comb handy at all times.

Body Hair

We have 3 areas to cover here: armpits, down there, and – for certain ethnicities amongst us – probably your back. Compared to getting a beard trim, getting help here could get a little awkward. Luckily there is something that lets you handle your business on your own – The MANGROOMER.

Next Level

I’m not going to go into a lot of detail here. If you need it, get it.

Balla Powder – The name should give away what it’s for. Stay dry, combat odor, and so on.
Dude Wipes – Istinjaa on the go.

MANicure

Simple and straightforward from the hadith above – cut your nails. This also includes your feet.

Invest in a nail file. Jagged edges can cut people when you shake hands. You don’t need to go get a bunch of girly stuff, something simple like this will do what you need.

Hair

The greatest challenge to hair is putting product in your hair that can survive wudu. The problem is you can put something in your hair, but after you pray dhuhr it’s undone and you’re suddenly having a bad hair day. After extensive personal testing, I recommend the following two products as the best to use in your hair –

—

So there you have it. Hopefully these will help take you from the man you are to the man you could be. Feel free to share your favorite tips and products in the comments.

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Related Topics:beard example of prophet muhammad grooming hadith Islam Male Grooming Muslim

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Omar Usman

Omar Usman is a founding member of MuslimMatters and Qalam Institute. He teaches Islamic seminars across the US including Khateeb Workshop and Fiqh of Social Media. He has served in varying administrative capacities for multiple national and local Islamic organizations. You can follow his work at ibnabeeomar.com.

31 Comments

Ibrahim Farrier

December 31, 2014 at 3:57 AM

I enjoyed the article! I learned quite a bit. I will be getting some Dude wipes with my next internet purchase. Excellent idea! I would like to say though, in my research on beard-care I might change a bit. It is generally not a good idea to shampoo your beard regularly. Yes wash it, and even use a conditioner, but a general concensus amongst beard enthusiasts is no more than 1 time a week for shampoo. To keep it soft and healthy looking, use a beard oil every day after you shower. It’s good through rinsing for wudu, as well. Lastly, I always strongly recommend to people that they use a soft bristle brush, and NEVER a comb. A comb rips tangles out and excessive hair. Ouch! Since switching from comb to beard brush I have even seen a noticeable difference to my beard. Making it thicker, softer and subsequently easier to manage throughout the day.

Thanks for the link for the mustache trimmer. I need that little vacuum! I think i’my getting that, as well.

Reply
- Omar Usman
  
  December 31, 2014 at 10:31 AM
  
  will have to try the bristle brush. any that you recommend?
  
  Reply
  - Adrian
    
    April 27, 2015 at 12:00 PM
    
    I use http://detroitgrooming.com/products/firm-military-boar-bristle-brush and also http://detroitgrooming.com/products/soft-boar-bristle-long-handled-brush
    
    It’s a great company- I use a lot of their products. Worth giving a try for sure!
    
    Reply
  - AA
    
    July 11, 2015 at 6:32 AM
    
    Please note that “boar” or any other swine products are a definite no no for muslims.
    
    Beware!
    
    Reply
  - Ibrahim
    
    January 26, 2016 at 5:29 PM
    
    I’ve been using the tangle teezer elite for years for my beard. The pain of a comb and the ripping out of hair made for a bad beard day, every day. As a Household Manager i also take care of 3 girls. After getting desperate to end the daily tears i ordered a few more and tried on the kids hair. No more tears or even complaints at all! The youngest even likes to walk around the house with hers brushing her own and everyone else’s hair.
    
    Reply
- Nasir
  
  January 2, 2015 at 4:07 AM
  
  I agree. We shouldn’t shampoo/condition the beard regularly as it takes out the natural oils. I read an article from the guy who won the beard of the year and he said to shampoo the beard once a month.
  
  Reply
- DustonB
  
  January 5, 2015 at 11:59 AM
  
  I’ve been advised by a long-time barber to use a de-tangling comb which has alternating long and short bristles for the beard since it does not rip beard hairs out and will allow for a luxurious distribution of both natural and applied oils.
  
  Overall I really love this article, it’s one that I feel is long overdue and addresses practical information that we men desperately need but are often too shy to seek out.
  
  Kufis off to you! :D
  
  Reply
- Muhammad Usman Sheikh
  
  August 26, 2016 at 1:34 PM
  
  Trimming is not done by Prophet pbuh dnt promote trimming
  
  Reply
Mansoor Ansari

December 31, 2014 at 11:09 AM

Try this for Beard cream

http://www.mcssl.com/store/bestbeardsllc
http://www.beardbrand.com/

Reply
- Omar Usman
  
  December 31, 2014 at 12:36 PM
  
  i tried beardbrand’s oil.. liked the ones i mentioned in the article better
  
  Reply
Hassan

December 31, 2014 at 12:19 PM

Did not know that shaving back was also needed islamically? Although I may definitely use MANGROOMER to scratch the back.

Reply
- Muhammad
  
  January 2, 2015 at 12:49 PM
  
  I don’t think he mentioned that shaving the back was part of Islam. Take it as a good suggestion from your brother. If your lady likes it, then keep it for her.
  
  Reply
  - Hassan
    
    January 3, 2015 at 2:23 PM
    
    I must have misread it then, it certainly came in flow.
    
    Reply
Ibn Adnan Al-Yutaawi

December 31, 2014 at 7:00 PM

Which hair product do you think is better out of the two you mentioned.

Reply
- Omar Usman
  
  December 31, 2014 at 8:40 PM
  
  ive switched over permanently to the hanz de fuko spongewax for daily, and hanz de fuko claymation when i need a long lasting *firm* hold
  
  Reply
  - megat
    
    May 14, 2016 at 12:00 AM
    
    Salam.
    
    Hanz de fuko is halal isnt it? I need some clarification on this. TQ brotha
    
    Reply
Ibn Adnan Al-Yutaawi

December 31, 2014 at 8:01 PM

WHich of the two products you mentioned do you think is better?

Reply
Umm hadi

January 1, 2015 at 9:23 PM

Masha Allah well written and useful.
https://alkalaamblog.wordpress.com/

Reply
NikahExplorer

January 2, 2015 at 3:09 AM

JazakAllah Omar brother for sharing very good information about guide to grooming. MashaAllah.

Reply
adam

January 3, 2015 at 1:59 AM

Is the anus considered Pubic hair that needs to be shaved?

Reply
- Ismail
  
  January 4, 2015 at 12:37 AM
  
  Yes, from what I’ve learned. It is easier to clean ourselves after defecating when the hair in that region is shaved.
  
  Reply
Rahat

January 4, 2015 at 2:45 PM

I think you forgot to add on one more item… the miswak.

Reply
Bahram

May 1, 2015 at 7:53 PM

Assalamo alaikom brother,
I have tried to open a link on your web site relating to the halal mortgage (http://muslimmatters.org/2012/03/26/halal-mortgages-misuse-of-taqi-usmani-fatwa-and-other-important-questions/) and it does not open. I can open/access other links on your web site. Could you email me back privately or respond to this.
JAZAK,
Bahram

Reply
Aasim

May 22, 2015 at 8:50 PM

Asa, is it better for us to comb or pick our beard ?

Reply
Kirana

July 8, 2015 at 6:14 PM

Can I request that brothers please consider some styling in facial fair grooming? I mean, they can be so cool and “lumberjack chic” and yet Muslim men continue to grow them in an unkempt, “whatever” style which I think is unnecessarily unattractive. Please guys, while it’s bad to be vain, there’s a reason why the Propher pbuh put emphasis on care of appearance – people are drawn by, and want to be associate with, the group with physical charisma.

Reply
farid

July 22, 2015 at 1:38 AM

Can I shave my anus ? I dont know it is really rights in islam or not ? please give me a good answer

Reply
Sunnah Beards

January 26, 2016 at 3:28 PM

Salamualaikum Warahmatullah,

We have recently launched (beginning of this month) Sunnahbeards.com a Toronto Based Beard Care company offering a variety of premium beard oils, and other grooming products. We’re also launching Beard balms and Shea butter soaps for each of our beard oil lines. We take pride in using 100% USDA Organic ingredients in our beard oils and phthalate free fragrance oils that are all natural. Best of all, all of it is handmade right here in Toronto, ON. Feel free to check out our website at http://www.sunnahbeards.com

Reply
- Arshad
  
  March 24, 2016 at 5:29 AM
  
  Today, it’s my first day using sunnahbeards’ comb and Lion Den’s Beard oil. You should definitely try their products!
  
  Reply
Sunnah Beards

March 10, 2016 at 4:58 PM

Asalamualaikum Warahmatullah,

I can recommend http://www.sunnahbeard.com for their amazing beard products! Please do give them a try inshaAllah. If you would like to create your own beard oil, have a look at http://www.sunnah-beard.com for a list of organic halal essential oils which can be mixed depending on what type of beard you have.

Reply
Fattah M. Arif

November 4, 2016 at 6:51 PM

As-salaamu ‘alaykum warahmatullahi waabarakatuh! I was wondering how necessary beard wash is. Currently, I use one of Bluebeard’s sets (beard wash, beard cream, and conditioner), but I cannot tell if it has had any positive effect (some brothers have said they noticed a change after I used it, but perhaps only because I mentioned it). I would reduce my product use to just oil (there are two Muslim companies that I’m considering: Elegance Beard and London Beard Company), but I also swim in my free time and worry about the effect of chlorine and saltwater on my head, facial, and body hair. I don’t know about the Muslim companies, but Bluebeard’s offers an extra-conditioning beard wash. What if I got that instead of separate washes and conditioners? Also, is it necessary to use body wash/soap when showering? Couldn’t a simple ghusl followed by deodorant and balla powder suffice? How about shampoo for head [hair]? I don’t use that more than twice a week but what if I just cut it out completely? My main goal is to minimize how much synthetic chemicals I expose my body to while remaining healthy/clean. Lastly, aftershave on armpits (in addition to deodorant)/pubic areas, Yay or nay? Jazak Allah Khayr!

Reply
Mohammed

March 16, 2017 at 6:25 AM

Has anyone here tried the beard oil that comes with MuslimBox.Co’s sunnah pack?

http://www.muslimbox.co

Reply