Author: Abu Raef
The Role of Muslims in the Formation and Development of Science (Part 66)
Refinements of Aesthetic Taste
Adh-Dhawq (Aesthetic Taste):
Dhawq is a subtle and spiritual sense that motivates a person to consider the feelings, conditions, and circumstances of others. In essence, it is the etiquette of dealing with people and the art of gracious interaction with others.
Dhawq has both external and internal dimensions. Below are some manifestations of dhawq recommended in Islam, in which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) served as a model and exemplar:
The Beauty of Dhawq in Walking and Speaking
Allah says: (وَعِبَادُ الرَّحْمَٰنِ الَّذِينَ يَمْشُونَ عَلَى الْأَرْضِ هَوْنًا وَإِذَا خَاطَبَهُمُ الْجَاهِلُونَ قَالُوا سَلَامًا) Translation: “And the servants of the Most Merciful are those who walk on the earth humbly, and when the ignorant address them, they say words of peace.” [Al-Furqan: 63]
Allah also says: (وَلَا تُصَعِّرْ خَدَّكَ لِلنَّاسِ وَلَا تَمْشِ فِي الْأَرْضِ مَرَحًا ۖ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَا يُحِبُّ كُلَّ مُخْتَالٍ فَخُورٍ • وَاقْصِدْ فِي مَشْيِكَ وَاغْضُضْ مِن صَوْتِكَ ۚ إِنَّ أَنكَرَ الْأَصْوَاتِ لَصَوْتُ الْحَمِيرِ) Translation: “Do not turn your face away from people in arrogance, and do not walk on earth pridefully. Indeed, Allah does not like the arrogant and boastful. Be moderate in your pace and lower your voice. Indeed, the harshest of voices is the braying of donkeys.” [Luqman: 18–19]
Imam Ibn Kathir (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the comparison to a donkey here is a strong condemnation and prohibition. The Prophet (PBUH) also said: “We are not like those with evil examples. One who takes back his gift is like a dog that returns to its vomit.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Beauty of Dhawq in Not Disturbing Others
Allah says: (إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يُنَادُونَكَ مِن وَرَاءِ الْحُجُرَاتِ أَكْثَرُهُمْ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ) Translation: “Indeed, those who call you from behind the private chambers, most of them do not use reason.” [Al-Hujurat: 4]
This verse refers to some harsh and impolite Bedouins who called out loudly to the Prophet (PBUH) from behind the rooms of his wives without patience or manners. Allah condemned their behavior and labeled it as irrational, because observing proper etiquette with the Prophet (PBUH) is a sign of reason.
The Beauty of Dhawq in Public Spaces
Abu Sa’id al-Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Beware of sitting on roadsides.” They said: “O Messenger of Allah, we have no other choice.” He replied: “If you insist, then give the road its rights.” They asked: “What are the rights of the road?” He said: “Lowering the gaze, refraining from harm, returning greetings, enjoining good, and forbidding evil.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Beauty of Dhawq in Visiting and Seeking Permission
Allah says: (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لَا تَدْخُلُوا بُيُوتًا غَيْرَ بُيُوتِكُمْ حَتَّى تَسْتَأْنِسُوا وَتُسَلِّمُوا عَلَىٰ أَهْلِهَا) Translation: “O you who believe, do not enter houses other than your own until you seek permission and greet their inhabitants. That is better for you, that you may be mindful.” [An-Nur: 27]
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Seeking permission is three times. If permission is granted, enter; otherwise, return.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Beauty of Dhawq in Treating One’s Wife
Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “You will be rewarded for every expense you make seeking the pleasure of Allah—even the bite of food you put in your wife’s mouth.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]
‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “I would drink while menstruating, then hand the cup to the Prophet (PBUH), and he would place his mouth on the same spot where I had drunk and then drink from it.” [Sahih Muslim]
The Beauty of Dhawq in Sneezing
Abu Hurairah reported: “When the Prophet (PBUH) sneezed, he would cover his mouth with his hand or cloth and lower his voice.” [Sunan Abu Dawud]
Anas ibn Malik narrated: “Two men sneezed in the presence of the Prophet (PBUH). He said ‘Yarhamukallah’ (may Allah have mercy on you) to one but not to the other. When asked why, he replied: ‘This one praised Allah, but the other did not.’” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
The Beauty of Dhawq in Yawning
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Yawning is from Satan. So, if one of you yawns, let him try to restrain it as much as possible.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
The Beauty of Dhawq in Pleasant Smell
Jabir ibn Abdullah said: The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever eats from this plant”—referring to garlic—“should not come near us in our mosques.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
And in Sahih Muslim, from Ibn ‘Umar: “Whoever eats from this herb (i.e., garlic), let him not come near our mosques until its odor disappears.”
The Beauty of Dhawq in Handshaking
Anas ibn Malik reported: “When the Prophet (PBUH) shook hands with someone, he would not let go until the other person released his hand.” [Sunan At-Tirmidhi]
The Beauty of Dhawq Upon Returning from Travel
Ibn ‘Umar said that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “O people, do not enter upon your wives at night suddenly and surprise them.” [Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim]
The Beauty of Dhawq in Sitting
The Prophet (PBUH) prohibited a man from sitting between two others without their permission. [Sunan At-Tirmidhi]
These are some of the delicate and refined manifestations of dhawq in Islam—details that even philosophers and lawgivers often overlook. This is the difference between Divine legislation and human laws, and the difference between Islamic civilization and other civilizations.
Continues…
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References:
[1]. What is the path of Muslims to the world? P.: 652.
[2]. Furqan: 63.
[3]. Luqman: 18-19.
[4]. Bukhari and Muslim.
[5]. Tafsir al-Qur’an al-Azeem, vol. 6, p. 303.
[6]. Rooms: 4.
[7]. Al-Saadi, Abd al-Rahman Ibn Nasser, Taysir al-Karim al-Rahman fi Tafsir Kalam al-Manan, Vol.
[8]. Bukhari and Muslim.
[9]. Eleanor: 27.
[10]. Muslim and Bukhari.
[11]. Bukhari and Muslim.
[12]. sure
[13]. Tirmidhi
[14]. sure
[15]. Bukhari and Muslim.
[16]. heater
[17]. sure
[18]. Tirmidhi
[19]. heater
[20]. Tirmidhi
