The manners of living and the cultural expressions that signify a person’s refinement and character are collectively referred to as customs and etiquette.
Throughout history, no human society has been without customs and etiquette. They have been consistently observed across all tribes, nations, and civilizations, serving as a shared standard of behavior and conduct.
The identity of nations and communities is largely shaped by these customs and etiquette. Even the Prophets, peace be upon them, who brought divine guidance, emphasized the importance of adhering to specific customs and etiquette.
Since the ultimate aim of religion is the purification of the self, the customs and etiquette prescribed by religion are designed to serve this purpose.
These customs and etiquette include:
1. Mentioning the name of God before eating and drinking with the right hand. The former is for acknowledging and expressing gratitude for the blessings of God Almighty and to pray for their increase, and the latter serves as a constant reminder that on the Day of Judgement, those who will be granted the blessings of Paradise will receive their record of deeds in their right hands.
2. Greeting with ‘Peace be upon you’ (Al-salāmu ʿalaykum) and its response upon meeting.
3. Saying ‘All praise is to God’ (Al-Ḥamdu Li-llāh) when sneezing and responding with ‘May God have mercy on you’ (Yarḥamuka Allāh).
4. Keeping the mustache trimmed.
5. Removing the pubic hair.
6. Removing the armpit hairs.
7. Clipping nails.
8. Circumcising boys.
9. Cleaning the nose, mouth, and teeth.
10. Washing private parts after relieving oneself (Istinjāʾ). 11. The ritual bath following menstruation and postnatal bleeding..
12. The ritual bath after sexual impurity (Ghusl al-janāba) 13. Washing, shrouding, and burying the deceased.
14. Celebrating the festivals of ʿĪd al-Fiṭr and ʿĪd al-ʾAḍḥā.