Abu Dawud

Benefits and Issues:
➊ It is preferable to avoid urinating in the bathhouse, whether it is unpaved or constructed from cement and chips, because the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade it. If there is a separate place designated for urination, then there is no harm. In short, negligence in matters of purification can lead to doubts and misgivings (waswasah).

➋ The reason for prohibiting combing the hair every day is that one should not be excessively concerned with outward appearance like worldly people, as was the general custom among the Arabs who used to keep their hair long. However, arranging the hair in a simple manner with a comb so that a person appears dignified is, insha Allah, permissible. In the general sense, the hadith scholars (muhaddithin kiram) have interpreted the prohibition of combing as being of a discouraging (tanzihi) nature. In any case, the objective is that a person should not make personal adornment a daily routine, as has become a problem in our homes where mirrors, combs, oil and perfume, mirrors on the door, combs, and dressing tables, etc., are always arranged. There is no authentic hadith that proves the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to comb his hair twice every day.

➌ The ruling mentioned in the noble hadith applies to women as well as men. Although adornment is, in one respect, desirable for them, moderation is also necessary in this; it should not be that a person is constantly preoccupied with their outward and artificial beautification.

239. Commentary:

➊ Combing the hair every day is evidence that a person is paying attention to adornment beyond necessity, whereas this is the basis of many social and moral evils. It is narrated from Abdullah bin Mughaffal radi Allahu anhu, who says: «رسول اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم نھی عن الترجل الاغبا» [سنن أبي داود ، الترجل ، حدیث : 4159]
“The Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam forbade combing except every other day.” That is, he forbade combing the hair daily without exception. Although there is a slight weakness in the chain of this hadith, it is resolved by the following narration in Sunan an-Nasa’i, whose authenticity has also been acknowledged by the researcher of the book. It is as follows: A companion of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam visited the governor (administrator) of Egypt, who was also a companion of the Messenger of Allah. He saw that his hair was disheveled and asked: “What is the reason? I see you in a disordered state, even though you are an amir.” He replied: «کان نبی اللہ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ینھانا عن الارفاہ ، قلنا : وما الارفاہ؟ قال : الترجل کل یوم» [سنن النسائي ، الزینة ، حدیث : 5061]
“The Prophet of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam used to forbid us from ‘irfah.’ We asked: What is meant by ‘irfah’? He said: Combing the hair daily.” In this hadith as well, there is mention of the prohibition of combing the hair daily, especially due to this prohibition, the companion of the Messenger of Allah, Fadala bin Ubaid radi Allahu anhu, despite holding a great position, did not comb his hair daily, even though, due to the length of his hair, he was in dire need of it. This is strong evidence that combing the hair daily is prohibited, and in this, there is also an aspect of asceticism and piety, which is certainly desirable for such individuals, because being constantly engaged in adornment is, at the very least, not the practice of religious people. Furthermore, this prohibition is general and includes every individual of the Ummah. Both men and women are included in this prohibition; there is no evidence for any specification, whereas the majority of the scholars interpret this prohibition as a form of rebuke and censure, meaning that being mostly or constantly engaged in this act is blameworthy, not that its real prohibition is intended, such that a person cannot comb his hair daily. In any case, from the apparent meaning of the ahadith and the practice of the companion of the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, only prohibition is established. And Allah knows best. For details, see: [سلسلة الأحادیث الصحیحة ، حدیث : 501]

➋ Regarding urinating in the bathhouse, see: Hadith 36. In the next hadith, the permissibility of using water left over from the ritual bath (ghusl) of a person in a state of major ritual impurity (janabah) is established, so in this hadith, the prohibition will be understood as being preferable (mustahabb), i.e., it is better to avoid it, however, its use is permissible.

(1) Just as this comparison regarding Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu can be in terms of duration—that he too stayed with the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam for four years. Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu came at the beginning of 7 AH, and the Messenger of Allah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam passed away in the third month of 11 AH. Or, this comparison can be in terms of manner—that just as Abu Hurairah radi Allahu anhu used to remain with the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam at all times, similarly, that elder also used to remain with him almost all the time.

(2) Combing the hair every day—because combing the hair every day is evidence that this person pays excessive attention to adornment and beautification, and this trait is found among women. This person either lives adorned like women, in which case he will become a source of temptation (fitnah) for men, or he does so with the intention of attracting women, in which case he will become a source of temptation for women. Men should not be inclined towards adornment and beautification; otherwise, various evils will arise.

(3) The necessary result of not combing the hair every day is that the hair should be kept cut, so that there is no need to comb it daily. This is the relevance to the chapter.