What is the ruling on caring for one's appearance, looking after the body and its health, wearing elegant clothes, and studying worldly sciences to improve one's social status, provided that devotional duties are not neglected? And what is the concept of Zuhd (asceticism) and Wara' (piety) in Islam? And what is the ruling on wearing trousers and shirts?
Taking care of one's appearance, wearing good clothes, and studying worldly sciences are originally permissible. A servant may even be rewarded for them if he intends to display Allah's blessings or benefit Muslims, and this does not fall under the category of showing off (riya').
As for taking care of the body, it is obligatory because the body is a trust ().
Asceticism (zuhd) is the heart's detachment from worldly affairs and wealth, even if they are in one's possession. An ascetic might be among the wealthiest of people. Asceticism from forbidden things is obligatory; from obligatory deeds, it is unlawful; from recommended deeds, it is disliked; and from permissible things, it is recommended.
Piety (wara') is abstaining from what is permissible (la ba'sa bih) out of caution against what is harmful (al-ba's). It is recommended and includes acting upon the safer opinion when there is a difference of opinion among scholars.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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