Fitra is an Arabic word meaning 'innate human nature'. However, other common translations include "primordial nature" and "innate disposition", intuition, instinct or insight (see Mysticism)
According to Islamic theology, human beings are born with an innate knowledge of tawhid, which is encapsulated in the fitra along with intelligence, ihsan and all other attributes that embody what it is to be human. It is for this reason that some muslims prefer to refer to those who embrace Islam as reverts rather than converts, as it is believed they are returning to a pure state.
The perfect embodiment of fitra was Abraham and Muhammad.
Narrated Abu-Huraira:
Allah's Apostle said, "No child is born except on Al-fitra (Islam) and then his parents make him Jewish, Christian or Magian (Zoroastrian), as an animal produces a perfect young animal: do you see any part of its body amputated?"
- Sahih al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Book 23, Number 441
Contents |
Root of word
- To split or cleave
- Implies opening up and coming out
- Verb means 'to bring forth', 'to originate', 'to knead and shape dough'.
Sunan al-Fitrah
Fitrah has a physical component as well as a spiritual one. The fitrah of the human body is its beauty and perfection as created by God. Although created perfectly by God, humans are permitted to enhance their appearance through means approved by God, such as clothes, bathing, and perfumes. These are changes to surface appearance, but not to one's essential fitrah.
However, radical changes to one's body to suit personal taste or social fashion are condemned as unlawful changes to fitrah. Procedures to remove or hide deformities resulting from disease or injury are seen as restoring fitrah, rather than changing it, and are therefore allowed.[1]
The sunan al-fitrah (lit., "customs of nature") are a collection of hygienic or cosmetic practices enjoined by Muhammad as consistent with fitrah:
'A'isha reported: Muhammad said: Ten are the acts according to fitra: clipping the moustache, letting the beard grow, using the tooth-stick, snuffing water in the nose, cutting the nails, washing the finger joints, plucking the hair under the armpits, shaving the pubic hair and cleaning one's private parts with water. The narrator said: I have forgotten the tenth, but it may have been rinsing the mouth. (Sahih Muslim, II.502) [2]
Certain other practices, e.g. tattooing, plucking the eyebrows, wearing wigs or hairpieces, or filing down the teeth, were specifically discouraged or forbidden by Muhammad as contrary to fitrah.
-Subhan'Allah
Notes
- ^ Further discussion of the medical implications of fitrah can be found at: http://omarkasule-03.tripod.com/id702.html
- ^ USC Compendium of Islamic Texts, retr. 11 Oct. 2008: http://www.usc.edu/dept/MSA/fundamentals/hadithsunnah/muslim/002.smt.html#002.0502
References
- J.M. Cowan (1994), The Hans Wehr Dictionary of Modern Written Arabic
- John Esposito (2003), The Oxford Dictionary of Islam
- M. Masud (1996), Islamic Legal Interpretation: Muftis and Their Fatwas
- Imam Ali, Nahjul Balagha: Sermons, Letters & Sayings of Imam Ali
- Al-Kulayni, al-Usul mina ‘l-Kãfi, vol. 2, p. 13; al-Bukhãri, Sahih, vol. 2 (Beirut: Dãr al-Fikr, 1401) p. 104
External links
- Maintaining the Characteristics of the Fitrah
- Islamic medical lecture on fitrah (includes discussion of cosmetic & reconstructive surgery)
- Sunan Al-Fitra and Rules for Cleanliness in Islam
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