Anointing the Body with Oil (Idhān / Tadhīn)

Reflect on the elegance of an instruction that joined eating and anointing in one sentence. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'Eat olive oil and anoint yourselves with it; for it is from a blessed tree (shajarah mubārakah)' (Tirmidhī 1851, Ibn Mājah 3319, ḥasan). One substance, two uses, both Sunnah. The Arabic verb iddahinū is from d-h-n, to anoint with oil; the same root produces dihn, the noun for oil. The Prophet ﷺ is naming a specific olive oil practice that integrates internal nutrition and external skin care into a single regimen. And the qualifier is structurally important: it is from a blessed tree. The Qurʾan affirms the olive tree's blessing in Sūrah al-Nūr, in the famous Light Verse: '...whose oil would almost glow even if no fire touched it; light upon light...' (24:35). The classical commentators (Ibn Kathīr, al-Qurṭubī) connected this with the Prophetic affirmation of olive oil's blessing: the same tree whose oil the Qurʾan describes as almost self-illuminating is the tree the Prophet ﷺ instructed the umma to eat from and anoint with. Now consider modern science on this. The Mediterranean diet, which centers on olive oil as the primary fat, has been associated with reduced cardiovascular disease, lower inflammation, improved cognitive function, longer life expectancy. The skin care use of olive oil (and similar natural oils) is well-documented for moisturization, antioxidant protection, and barrier maintenance. The Prophet's ﷺ fourteenth-century instruction has been confirmed in modern research, in both halves. Now consider what this practice looks like installed in a modern Muslim life. First, the kitchen. Quality olive oil (extra virgin, cold-pressed, from trusted sources) becomes the default cooking and salad fat. The Prophet's ﷺ Sunnah includes eating olive oil; this means it is not merely permitted but specifically recommended. Make it the centerpiece of the Muslim kitchen's fats: in salads, in cooking, drizzled on bread, in dressings. Second, the body. Weekly hair oiling with olive oil (or a mixture of olive and other natural oils) maintains hair health and follows the Prophet's ﷺ practice. ʿĀʾishah's description of the gleam on his head and beard is a description of regular oiling, not occasional. Apply olive oil to dry skin areas (elbows, hands, feet) as needed. Apply to feet before sleep; the Sunnah has specific narrations on this practice (it is said to be calming and to support good sleep). Third, the spiritual frame. Treat the practice as worship-aligned, not cosmetic. Recite bismillāh when beginning; intend the application as following the Prophet's ﷺ instruction; carry the awareness that this body is an amānah from Allah whose maintenance is part of the trust. The cure has three motions, all small. First, replace any seed oils, vegetable oils, or industrial fats in your kitchen with quality olive oil. The Mediterranean diet centered on olive oil is the Prophet's ﷺ dietary frame; build your meals around it. Second, install a weekly skin/hair anointing ritual. Friday morning, before ghusl, is a natural time: warm a small amount of olive oil, work it through hair and scalp, leave for 15-20 minutes, then ghusl. The combination of Sunnah hair-oil + Sunnah Friday ghusl + Sunnah perfume + Sunnah white clothing is the structural Friday preparation the salaf modeled. Third, anoint feet before sleep. A small amount of olive oil on the soles and toes, applied gently, supports skin health and follows specific Prophetic narrations on the practice. Pray today: Allāhumma 'ajʿal khayra ayāminī yawm alqaka, wa-ajʿalnī mim man yatbaʿu ʿaml na biyy ika ﷺ fi-l-akli wa-l-libisi wa-l-iṭărat. O Allah, make the best of my days the day I meet You, and make me of those who follow the practices of Your Prophet ﷺ in eating, dressing, and anointing. The blessed tree is named in revelation; its oil is recommended in Sunnah; the practice is daily.