of the most perfect and most noble qualities, and so that they may present themselves in the finest appearance and the best physical form. These practices are the ancient sunnah adopted by the prophets and affirmed by every revealed law. They are:

1. Istihdād (shaving the pubic region): this is the removal of the hair that grows around the private parts. It is called istihdād because an iron tool—the razor—is used. Taking that hair off enhances beauty and cleanliness, and one may remove it by shaving or by any other method he chooses.

2. Khitān (circumcision): the removal of the foreskin that covers the glans so that the glans is exposed. It is best performed in infancy, for healing is then quicker and the child grows up in the most complete condition. Among the wisdoms of circumcision are purifying the male organ from the filth that collects beneath the foreskin and other attendant benefits.

3. Trimming and shortening the moustache: cutting it closely, because this brings beauty, cleanliness, and distinguishes a Muslim from the unbelievers. Numerous hadiths urge trimming and shortening the moustache, letting the beard grow, leaving it untrimmed, and honoring it, for the beard is an adornment and a mark of dignity. Yet many people have done the very opposite: they grow out their moustaches while shaving their beards, or cutting them short, or confining them to a narrow strip—persisting in opposition to the prophetic guidance, imitating the enemies of Allah and His Messenger, and abandoning the traits of manliness and nobility for those of women and the base. Concerning them the poet’s words are truly apt: