{"_id":"668d9fe30b76658b4c232815","title":"How should Muslims think about beauty and beauty standards?","question":"Is every woman beautiful in Islam? What relationship should we have with beauty when we look at ourselves? And what would an Islamic perspective say about beauty standards and insecurities about how we look?","answer":"{\"ops\":[{\"insert\":\"When reflecting upon yourself, acknowledge that you are more than mere flesh and bones; consider your entire being beyond the physical exterior. Deep within resides the core of your existence—the soul. Allah's gaze is not directed at our outward appearance or bodies; rather, He assesses our souls, as emphasized by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ: \\\"\"},{\"attributes\":{\"italic\":true},\"insert\":\"Allah does not look at your bodies or your faces; He looks at your hearts.\"},{\"insert\":\"\\\" [\"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://sunnah.com/muslim:2564c\"},\"insert\":\"Muslim\"},{\"insert\":\"] \\n\\nA wise poet said: \\\"O servant of the body, how much hardship you endure in its service, Do you seek profit in what inherently leads to loss? Turn to the soul and complete its virtues, For you are human through the soul, not through the body.\\\" This poet reminds us that our physical bodies are in constant change, fleeting and destined for decay. In contrast, our souls persist, underscoring the futility of investing excessive time, effort, money, and mental energy into something destined to perish. \\n\\nAnother wise poet said, \\\"The tongue of a person is half, and the other half is his heart, So, nothing remains but the image of flesh and blood.\\\" Given that our soul defines our true essence, and the body merely serves as a transient vessel to carry the soul in this worldly existence, it prompts the question: How can we evaluate ourselves based on a temporary shell, a loaner that is bound to perish once the soul departs it? \\n\\nI am not denying the existence of physical beauty; however, my point is that physical beauty and metaphysical beauty are distinct. Someone might possess an aesthetically pleasing body yet harbor an unattractive heart, and vice versa. Therefore, when appraising beauty, it is crucial to discern between the two and not confine beauty solely to the physical exterior. Allah, the Exalted, describes the hypocrites in the following manner: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"\\\"When you observe them, their well-formed bodies please you, and when they speak, you may be captivated by their eloquent words. However, they are akin to a collection of outwardly appealing but internally decayed planks of wood, left in a useless state leaning against a wall.\\\" [\"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://quran.com/al-munafiqun/4\",\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"63:4\"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"]\"},{\"insert\":\" In this verse, Allah, the Exalted, is cautioning us against making judgments solely based on physical appearance. The verse emphasizes that genuine beauty resides within the soul. If we exclusively focus on outward appearances, we risk misjudging both ourselves and others, missing the essence of true beauty that lies beyond the physical facade. \\n\\nNumerous scholars opine that physical beauty is a subjective concept, lacking a universal standard. This perspective makes sense considering the diverse array of shapes and shades in which Allah has created people. The Quran highlights these differences in tongues and colors as divine signs: \"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"\\\"And one of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the diversity of your languages and colors. Surely in this are signs for those of knowledge.\\\" [\"},{\"attributes\":{\"link\":\"https://quran.com/en/ar-rum/22\",\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"30:22\"},{\"attributes\":{\"bold\":true},\"insert\":\"]\"},{\"insert\":\" Hence, every tribe or ethnic community tends to develop its own definition of beauty, rooted in the unique physical characteristics that distinguish them. On a worldwide scale, rather than attempting to establish a singular beauty standard to judge others, we should embrace and appreciate the diverse tapestry of Allah's creation.\\n\\nIn essence, foster self-love and admire the richness of the broader creation. Consequently, we must resist embracing externally imposed beauty standards that are subject to constant evolution, influenced by those who wield control over the industries shaping and disseminating these ideas.\\n\"}]}","tags":[{"_id":"668d9fe00b76658b4c2327ba","tag":"Women: Beauty","count":54}],"createdOn":"2024-07-09T20:38:59.267Z"}