1.1 Distinct Muslim Personality
Islam advocates this etiquette and stresses it so as to perfect the
Muslim personality and to bring about harmony among people. There is no
doubt that embodying such manners and virtues enhances personal style
and qualities, refines personality and brings us closer to the hearts
and minds of others. The forthcoming manners and etiquette are central
to Islam, its purposes and its aims. Calling it 'etiquette' by no means
implies that it is marginal to life and social behaviour. It does not
mean Muslims have the option of ignoring this code of behaviour, or
that it is merely preferable to adhere to it.
In pointing out that manners rank higher than deeds, Imam Al-Qarafi in
his book Al-Furwuq said, 'Learn that a little etiquette is better than
a lot of good actions.' Rwuaim, the righteous scholar, told his son,
'Oh my son, make your deeds salt, and your manners flour.' Many good
manners with few good deeds are better than many good
deeds with few good manners. Even if some of these rules appear to be
simple common courtesy, it is important to highlight their significance.
Many Muslims commit errors which blemish the Islamic personality, whose
purpose is meant to be unique in its beauty, perfection and traits.
Our master, the Messenger 
of Allah 
directed the blessed
companions by saying: 'You are on your way to meet your brothers,
put on a nice dress and fix your riding so you appear distinct among
people as a fleck [on a beautiful face]. Allah does not like roughness
nor rough manners.'
When the Prophet , peace be upon him, said: 'No one will enter
Paradise if they have at heart a grain of arrogance.' A man asked:
'A man may like his dress to be nice and his shoes nice.' The
Prophet answered 'Allah is beautiful and likes beauty. Arrogance
is to deny rights and look down at people.'
Shaikh Ibn Taimia said that the beauty that Allah likes include
nice clothes. Hence it could be said that Allah likes all nice things.
Therefore, a Muslim ought to be recognized by neat dress, cleanliness
and graceful appearance.
1.2 CLEANLINESS AND WASHING
The Sunna is to keep perfume and to use it regularly on oneself.
Al-Bukhari narrated that Salman Al-Farsi said: the Prophet, peace be
upon him, said 'Allah will forgive the sins of the past week for he
who on Friday will take a bath, cleanse himself, put on his [regular]
perfume or any perfume available in house. Then, he goes out
[to Jumu'ah prayer] and does not try to separate two friends. Then he
prays wherever he could and listens to the Imam.' If the body became
odorous a day or two before Friday, one should not wait till Friday to
cleanse the body. We should wash our bodies as soon as it require
washing to keep ourselves clean and fresh.
To take a bath on Friday is specifically required since a large number
of people will be gathering at mosques. However, if our body became dirty
or we sweat on a particular day, then, we should take a bath at the end of
day or the next morning. This is indicated by a Hadith narrated by
Al-Bukhari and Muslim that Abu Huraira said, the Prophet , peace be upon
him, said: 'It is the duty of every Muslim to have a bath once every week
to wash his head and body.' Another Hadith
1.3 ARRIVING FROM A JOURNEY
If you are traveling to visit someone or if you are about to receive
guests, whether those in question are your parents, relatives, peers, or
friends of a different age, make sure that your hands, feet, and socks
are clean, and your appearance and clothing is neat. Never neglect or
underestimate the importance of your look, for that would certainly mar
the pleasure of the meeting, while dulling the enjoyment of those you
meet. In this regard, the Prophet directed his companions upon returning
from a journey: 'You are returning to your brethren, dress nicely, and
sort out your rides so that you may become a beauty mark among people, for
Allah does not like sloppiness or acting in a sloppy way.'
Try to bring some gifts to those receiving you, and likewise present
your guests with a present. Always be prepared to reciprocate with a
suitable gift. The subtle joy of seeing your beloved ones will be
vividly remembered for many years. A gift, however symbolic, will greatly
enhance the pleasure of such a meeting. The Prophet , as reported
by Bukhary, said: 'Exchange gifts; exchange love.' Our Muslim predecessors
used to leave their host with a present which could be as symbolic as an
Arak stick.
1.4 DRESS PROPERLY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS
Dress properly, even among friends and relatives. Dress properly
when visiting your parents, a pious person, an elder, or even a relative
or a friend. Your attire should be clean and elegant, not ugly or unsightly.
We are attracted or repulsed by what we see. If you look good in clean
clothes, smelling nice, you will be pleasant to look at and people will
be attracted to you and enjoy your presence. If you were the opposite,
people will look down on you even if you were a relative or friend. To
look good while visiting or being visited is an instinctive trait in
addition to being an Islamic manner. Do not ignore this aspect because
you consider yourself to be close to your hosts or guests.
Imam Bukhari in his book, 'Al-Adab Al-Mufrad' reported that the great
follower Abi Al-'Alia Al-Riahi Al-Basri said, 'Muslims were at their
best when visiting each other.' Al-Hafez Al-Haithami in 'Majma Al-Zawaed'
(1:169) reported that Thabet Al-Banani, the student of Imam Anas bin
Malik said, 'When I used to visit Anas, he would call for a perfume and
run it along his cheeks.' Accordingly, if you were visited at home
while dressed very casually, as it sometimes happens, you should change
for your visitor. This will enhance his respect for you and will complement
your hospitality. It is, after all, the manners of the early Muslims.
from the book ISLAMIC MANNERS
By Shaykh Abdul-Fattaah Abu Ghuddah (RA)