to wear a waist-wrapper, and he would then have intimate relations with her while she was menstruating. (1) This was so that he would not see the area soiled with blood; for if he saw it, he would feel repulsed and averse to it, and this might even lead him to dislike her. This is a point to which a person should pay attention. Hence the scholars said: A person should look in the mirror. (2)

I do not know whether we look in the mirror or not! Some people are excessive in looking in the mirror: they overdo it and go to extremes. Whenever they wish to go out, they look in the mirror, being extravagant in this. This is not good, because it is excess. Others, on the other hand, are negligent: a long time may pass without their ever looking in the mirror. Moderation is best: do not be negligent, especially when there is a reason to fear that some part of you may have become soiled—whether your garment, the edge of your face, or something similar. For example, if a person has a nosebleed, drops of blood may be on the upper part of his garment without his seeing them, so he needs to look in the mirror.

It is recommended that he pray facing an upright sutrah, such as the rear part of a saddle, ......................

His statement, “It is recommended that he pray facing a sutrah,” means that it is recommended for a person to pray facing a sutrah. Its description will follow.

When the jurists use the expression “it is recommended,” they mean that whoever does it receives a reward, while whoever leaves it incurs no sin. This is the ruling of a recommended act according to the jurists.

The evidence that it is recommended is the Prophet’s ﷺ command and practice.