The Book of Purification - Sunan an-Nasa'i 11

"The Fitrah are five: Circumcision, shaving the pubes, plucking the armpit hairs, clipping the nails and taking from the mustache."

Commentary on the Five Fitrah

This noble hadith from the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) enumerates five natural dispositions (fitrah) that are inherent to human nature and emphasized in Islamic law. The term "fitrah" refers to the primordial state of purity that Allah created humanity upon, and these practices help maintain that spiritual and physical cleanliness.

Detailed Explanation of Each Fitrah

Circumcision (Khitan): This practice traces back to Prophet Ibrahim (peace be upon him) and is considered a symbol of submission to Allah. It provides physical cleanliness and has health benefits, being obligatory for males and recommended for females according to most scholars.

Shaving the Pubes: This maintains hygiene and prevents accumulation of impurities. Scholars differ on the precise method, with some permitting shaving, clipping, or using depilatory creams, though removal is unanimously required.

Plucking Armpit Hairs: This prevents unpleasant odors and maintains cleanliness. The preferred method is plucking, though shaving is also permissible if plucking causes undue hardship.

Clipping Nails: This prevents dirt and impurities from accumulating beneath them. Scholars recommend doing this weekly, preferably before Friday prayer, and caution against leaving nails untrimmed beyond forty days.

Trimming the Mustache: This practice distinguishes Muslims from certain other communities and maintains cleanliness, especially during eating and drinking. The Prophet emphasized keeping the mustache short while letting the beard grow.

Legal Rulings and Wisdom

These five acts are considered either obligatory or strongly recommended (sunnah mu'akkadah) in Islamic jurisprudence. They collectively represent the comprehensive nature of Islamic purification - addressing both spiritual purity and physical hygiene. The wisdom behind these practices includes distinguishing Muslims from other communities, maintaining good health, and preserving the natural state (fitrah) that Allah created humanity upon.