A Discussion of the Narrations

1) The Religion Beloved to God

The Messenger of God (s.a.w.) said: “I was sent with the upright, tolerant religion”(475).

Ibn Abbas narrated: It was asked, “O Messenger of God! Which religion is most beloved to God?” He replied: “The upright, tolerant religion”(476).

Abū Abdullah (a.s.) said: “Indeed, the upright religion (al-ḥanīfīya) is Islam”(477).

Note: Turning away from misguidance to guidance, from falsehood to truth, from deviation to uprightness, and so on, are all considered in pure Islam. Therefore, the religion of Islam is upright (ḥanīfa), because ḥanaf means uprightness and inclination from falsehood to truth(478). This meaning is in harmony with the original nature (fiṭra), as mentioned in the divine tradition: “I created My servants as upright (ḥunafāʾ)”(479).

2) The Comprehensiveness and Eternity of the Upright Religion

Abū Jaʿfar (a.s.) said: “The upright religion (al-ḥanīfīyya) has not left anything out, to the extent that it includes trimming the mustache, cutting the nails, and circumcision”(480).

“The religion of Abraham, the upright one” refers to the ten practices of the upright religion that Abraham brought, five for the body and five for the head. As for those related to the body: bathing after sexual impurity, purification with water, trimming the nails, removing body hair, and circumcision. As for those related to the head: cutting the hair, trimming the mustache, letting the beard grow, using a toothbrush, and using a toothpick. These practices have not been abrogated until the Day of Resurrection(481).

Note: It is necessary to pay attention that the mentioned matters are neither a conceptual explanation of the term “upright” (ḥanīf) nor a limited application or example of it. Rather, they are intended to mention some of the common traditions and well-known instructions of that religion.