Purity and Cleanliness in Islam

Purity and Cleanliness in Islam

Islam gives great importance to purity and cleanliness. The most important aspect of good hygiene is cleanliness. According to Islam that the condition of the body affects the mind. Physical cleanliness is essential for spiritual well-being. In Islam the Arabic term for purity is Taharah. Purification of the body and clothes is called taharah. Islam requires the Muslims to clean his body, his clothes, his house and the whole community. Islam has taught about purification from every aspect. Islam taught a method of “Zakat” which is used to purify one’s wealth.

Sayings of prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

• Purification is the key of prayer.
• The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) did not like a Muslim to appear before people wearing dirty clothes, if he had the means to clean them. He encouraged Muslims to wear clean clothes and to present a neat and attractive appearance.
• The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said that, ‘Purification is half of faith.’ ‘Aisha (PBUH) narrates the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) saying that, ‘The religion is based on cleanliness.’ Jabir (Allah be pleased with him) reported the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) passed through a place but a person who followed him would know that he had been there, from his lingering scent.

Taking a bath and cutting nails on every Friday is a sunnah. It is recommended to Use miswak to clean your teeth, make a regular practice of Miswak for verily it is the purification for the mouth and a means of the pleasure of the Allah. Prophet Muhammad also used to wear perfume or Itar.

Quranic sayings about purity and cleanliness:

• Cleanliness in the Qur’an Allah commends those who are accustomed to cleanliness: “Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.”
• Allah orders the believer to be tidy in appearance: “Keep your clothes clean.” The Qur’an insists that the believer maintain a constant state of purity
• Allah says: “Allah desires not to put you in a difficulty: but desires to purify you and complete His favours unto you that you may prosper.” (Holy Qur’an, 5:7)

Worship requires cleanliness:

Ablution (Wudu) is typically done in preparation for formal prayers and before handling and reading the Quran. The procedure includes washing faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; rub your heads (with water) and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. If you are ritually impure bathe your whole body. Without cleanliness purity and wudu, your Ibadah will not be accepted. In Islam it is compulsory to clean the place (of worship), body and clothes. Muslims use water, not paper or anything else to clean the body. Islam considers cleanliness a desirable attribute and insists on it.

With the cleanliness of physical body, it is also necessary in Islam to purify your soul, Islam has recommended Muslims to keep away from filthy, bad and impure thoughts. Make yourself pure. Do not think or do evil. Thus, if you maintain outward cleanliness, you are preparing yourself for inner purification. A pure mind in a pure body is a Muslim’s goal.