The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would take
care of his personal appearance. He would apply oil to his hair and beard and
comb it too.

Look after your hair
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, ‘The Messenger of
Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said that, ‘Whosoever has hair,
look after it.’ Meaning to wash the hair, to oil and comb it.

‘Ata bin Yasaar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, ‘The Messenger
of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) came to the Mosque. A person
came whose hair and beard was unkempt. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless
him and grant him peace) pointed at him in a manner which made it clear that
the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) was advising
him to comb his hair. The person combed his hair and came back. The Messenger
of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Is this not better
than that person whose hair is unkempt, it is as if he is Shaytan.”

When to comb
‘Abd-Allah bin Mughaffal (may Allah be pleased with him) states that the Messenger
of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) forbade us from coming the
hair everyday.
The scholars looking at all the hadith on combing have come to the conclusion
that one should look after their hair and not leave it unkempt and not to comb
it when there is not a necessity. Many when ever there is a mirror or they can
see their reflection start to comb their hair when there is no need.

Grooming of the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) used oil on
his blessed hair and blessed beard, he also used water on his blessed beard,
and then combed it. He combed his blessed hair on the head and sometimes parted
them in the middle. He also combed his blessed beard with an ivory comb.

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, ‘The Messenger of Allah (may
Allah bless him and grant him peace) would apply plenty of oil in his blessed
hair and beard and at times comb the beard and tie a cloth on his blessed head,
the cloth would get covered in oil just like his blessed hair.’
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah less him and grant him peace) would apply
a lot of oil and to save his blessed Amama, hat and other clothing from getting
stained with oil, he would wear a cloth on his blessed head. How unique is it
that his cloth would never get any dirt nor lice, Subhanallah!

Oil & water
Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) has related, ‘The Messenger of
Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would apply oil to his head
frequently and washed his beard with water.’

Non-Muslim & A Muslim’s Devil
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) narrates that, ‘Once
a Muslim’s devil and a non Muslim’s devil met together. The non-Muslim’s devil
was very healthy, big and warmly wrapped up wearing nice clothes and had oil
on his head whilst the Muslim’s devil was in a very bad state as he was skinny
and weak with no clothes.
The non-Muslim’s devil asked ‘Brother! Why are you in this state” He replied:
‘I am with such a person who, when he eats he remembers Allah (The Exalted)
by reciting ‘Bismillah” that is why I have to stay hungry and do not get any
share out of his food. When he drinks water, he recites ‘Bismillah” so I have
to stay thirsty. When putting oil on his head he recites ‘Bismillah”, my hair
is in this situation, and when wearing his clothes he recites ‘Bismillah” too.’
The non Muslim’s devil said: ‘I am with such a person that whatever he does,
he never recites ‘Bismillah”, this is why I am healthy and I get to eat with
him, drink with him and take part in all activities.’
We learn from this that if we want the blessing then every thing we do, always
say Bismillah. Regardless of whether you start an assignment, some coursework,
writing a letter, or even putting a key into the door. Make a habit of this
Sunnah and there will be blessings in everything you do, Insha-Allah!, or else
the Shaytan will takes part in what you do.

Comb of ivory
The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) had a comb
made from elephant’s teeth, he also used water on his blessed beard and then
combed it.

‘Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (may
Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘Keep on combing the hair, as poverty
will be taken away. He who combs the hair in the morning will stay in peace
till the evening.’

Save from calamities
Ubay bin Ka’ab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that, ‘The Messenger
of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) stated that, ‘Whosoever combs
their hair and beard at night will be saved from all calamities and will live
longer.” Subhanallah!

Look after your hair
Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that I asked to the Messenger
of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) that, ‘I have hair should
I continue to comb it” The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant
him peace) said, ‘Yes, and look after it.’
As the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) told him
this, he would at times oil his hair twice a day. Subhanallah!

Shaykh ‘Abd Al-Haq Muhaddith-e-Dehelwi (may Allah’s mercy be upon him) writes
that, ‘To comb the beard after ablution will rid one of poverty.’

In another place the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him
peace) also said, ‘He who combs the eyebrows will be saved from difficulties.’

‘Abd Al-Rahman Safoori (may Allah be pleased with him) states that, ‘Whosoever
combs the hair on Sunday, Allah (The Exalted) will grant many benefits, one
who combs the hair on Monday will have his requirements fulfilled. One who combs
it on Tuesday is granted easiness. On Wednesday he will be given gifts by Allah
(The Exalted), On Thursday he will be given blessings in his reward. On Friday
he will be granted happiness and Saturday Allah (The Exalted) keeps his heart
clean from evil.’ Subhanallah!

Imam Ghazali (may Allah’s mercy be upon him) writes in Ihya ul-Uloom that,
‘The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would comb
his blessed beard twice a day.’

The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would always
start from the right side, even whilst combing his blessed hair.

Supplication for looking in the Mirror
When combing his hair he would look in the mirror and when he saw his blessed
face, he prayed the following supplication:

‘Allahumma Anta Hassanta Khalqi Fahassin Khuluqi’.

O Allah! You have beautified my nature, beautify my character too.

The supplication is of course to teach his followers to ask Almighty Allah
to give us a good character, as the character of the Messenger of Allah (may
Allah bless him and grant him peace) was unique and a shining example for his
followers to follow.

Manners of oil
1. When applying oil always pray ‘Bismillah” otherwise seventy devils will
assist in applying oil in your hair.
2. Whenever he wanted to grease his blessed hair, the Messenger of Allah (may
Allah bless him and grant him peace) would take some oil in the palm of his
left hand.
3. Apply a little on the right eyebrow then the left. Then apply some to the
eyelashes first the right then left. Then pray ‘Bismillah” again and apply
to the rest of the head from the front right then front left working your way
back. In the same manner when applying oil to the beard, pray ‘Bismillah” again
and then apply it.
4. When the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) applied
oil in his hair he started from the front right side then front left and when
applying oil to his beard he would apply it from the hair closest to the neck
and work his way up.
5. The Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) would keep seven items
besides his bed, bottle of oil; a comb; bottle of Surma; pair of scissors; miswak;
mirror; and a stick for itching.

O Allah (The Exalted)! Give us all the ability to look after our hair and to
oil and comb it following the Sunnah of Your beloved Messenger (may Allah bless
him and grant him peace), Ameen.