The Philosophy of the Teachings of Islam — Page 43
not be immoderate in any respect. Do not talk at random and talk to the point. Keep your raiment clean and your bodies and your streets and the places where you sit. Take frequent baths and cultivate the habit of keeping your homes neat and tidy. Moderate your voice and speak not with a loud voice nor whisper and, except when needed otherwise, walk at a moderate pace, neither too fast nor too slow. When you go on a journey, make all preparation and take necessary provisions so as to avoid having to beg. When you consort with your spouses, purify yourselves by bathing. When you eat give out of your food to him who asks and also to dogs and other animals and birds. There is no harm in your marrying orphan girls who are under your care, but if you apprehend that you may not be fair in dealing with them because they are orphans, then marry women who have parents and relations to be watchful of them, who would respect you and concerning whom you would be careful. You may marry two or three or four of them provided you can deal equitably with all of them. But if you feel that you may not deal justly between them then marry only one, even if you 37