Body positivity, beauty standards, and Islamic views about the body – Darul Ma’arif Islamic Boarding School

Darulmaarif.net – Indramayu, July 22, 2025 | 10.00 WIB

“It’s no longer a matter of imitation, doubling, or even parody. This is a matter of replacing the signs of reality with reality itself.” (Baudrillard, 1981, Simulacra and Simulation)

In the midst of the swift flow of social media and popular culture, narratives about the human body have now turned into a stage full of interpretations. We witness how trends body position– A movement of self -acceptance and body – is in a digital society. Slogans like “my body, my choice” or “Every body is beautiful“Mushrooming, voicing liberation from mainstream beauty standards.

However, in the roar of praise to the diversity of body shapes, criticism also emerged that this movement has the potential to give birth to unlimited acceptance: that all body shapes, regardless of the context of health and morals, must be celebrated without criticism.

Then, how does Islam look at the human body? Is the body just a aesthetic space, or does it hold the value of worship and trust?

The body in pop culture: between aesthetics and commodification

POP culture forms very strong beauty standards. The ideal body is represented through a symmetrical face, bright skin, slim body, tall slender, or sexy and plump. Behind it, capitalism works: diet industry, cosmetics, plastic surgery, and fashion flouring over a sense of dissatisfaction of humans accepting their own body.

Sociologist Jean Baudrillard calls this “hyper-reality”-when the fake is a reference to reality. The body is no longer a space of life, but a social symbol that must be displayed, edited, and traded as an image commodity in the social media space.

Islam and the body: from belief to spiritual aesthetics

Islam places the corpse not only an aesthetic object, but a belief that must be maintained. In QS. Al-Baqoroh Verse 195, Allah said:

And spend on God’s path, and don’t throw you with your hands into a curse

Meaning: “And spend (your treasure) on the street, and don’t make yourself destroyed, and do good, because indeed God loves those who do good.” (Surah Al-Baqoroh Verse 195)

This is the basis of the body’s awareness in Islam: it does not belong to the absolute individual, but the deposit of Allah SWT must be cared for, not hurt or wasted.

In concept Maqashid ShariaOne of the goals of Islamic law is Hifdzun Nafs (Protecting the soul and body). That is, the body is not only honorable, but also must be maintained from damageboth because of negligence and because of social and economic exploitation.

Body Positive in Islamic Sharia Books

Islam really appreciates self -acceptance (Ridlo to Allah’s creation), but not in the sense of leaving the body without responsibility. In the hadith mentioned:

You are really in your mind

Meaning: “Indeed, your body has the right to you.” (HR. Imam Bukhori and Muslim)

The verses and hadith above confirm that Islam supports respect for the body – both fat, thin, dark or bright skin – as a form of gratitude to Allah. However, Islam also gives a limit: the body must not be a small God who is contested, nor does the arrogance tool or lust outlet.

So, Islamic version of the body is The responsible gratitudenot glorification without direction.

Aesthetics in Islam: the balance between the outside and the inside

Islam does not deny the physical beauty. The Prophet Muhammad said:

God is a beautiful lover

Meaning: “Indeed, Allah is the Most Beautiful and, Loves Beauty.” (HR. Imam Muslim)

However, aesthetics in Islam do not stand alone. He is always related to morals, health, and worship. Outward beauty is not the final goal, but a reflection of piety and neatness as a form of gratitude to Allah SWT.

Decorated (tazayyun), dress beautifully, and caring for yourself is sunnah, but still in the corridor of adab and straight intentions. Islam does not hate the body, but also does not deny it.

Sharia Body is Sharia Honor

The body positivity moves positive value: stop ridicule against the body, respect diversity, and free humans from the stress of beauty standards. However, Islam invites us beyond that. That the body is not only to be accepted, but also cared for, guarded, and purified.

In Islam, the body is a field of worship. He spirit boatNot just an outward appearance. So, each of us is responsible for it: not to serve the pop culture, but to the Creator who entrusts it.

When the world judges from the size of the waist, skin color, and face shape, Islam comes in deeper language: piety, morals, and trust. Because really, true beauty is not about what is seen in the mirror, but about what is reflected in the sky.

So be thankful for your body. Treat with love, not because of other people’s standards, but because it belongs to God who entrusts you to protect it.

Hope it is useful. Wallohu a’lam.