Allah
SWT mentions in the Holy Quraan:
“Truly,
Allah loves those repent to Him constantly and He loves those who purify
themselves.” (2:222)
“Within
it (the Masaajid) are men who love to purify themselves. And Allah SWT loves
those who make themselves clean and pure.” (9:108)
The
Messenger of Allah SAW has said, “Cleanliness is half of faith.” [Muslim]
He SAW
also said, “Religion is founded on cleanliness.”
There
are two categories of cleanliness; Physical and Spiritual.
Physical
cleanliness can be understood from the act of performing Whudu or Ghusl before
acts of worship such as Salaat or recitation of the Quraan.
Spiritual
cleanliness means that a person strives to be free from the defects of the
heart such as ill manners, pride, materialism and hypocrisy to name a few.
Physical cleanliness lays the foundation to achieving the
ultimate goal of Islam; cleanliness of the Nafs (inner-self) and ridding
oneself of diseases of the heart in order to attain the Pleasure of the
Almighty SWT.
If we think of Zakaat (charity) and Sawm (fasting) we see
that these by extension are more than mere pillars which need to be fulfilled,
they are gateways to the purification of wealth and soul.
Physical cleanliness is of two types; one related to the
human body and one related to the surroundings such as one’s home, the
Madrassah and public places.
The importance of cleanliness in Islam can be gauged from
the fact that Fiqh and Ahadith Kitaabs almost always begin with a chapter on
cleanliness.
Personal hygiene:
A
person should remember that failure to remain clean harms oneself and others
around them. Women especially need to bear in mind the correct method of
performing Whudu and Ghusl especially after Haidh (menstruation), intercourse
and Nifaas (post childbirth bleeding). It has been mentioned that, “Even in
this modern era where knowledge is so widely available, there are women who do
not know how to perform Ghusl properly and it is only when they pass away and
are given the Ghusl before being wrapped in Kafn (shroud) are they really
clean.”
Below are
some tips on keeping clean and hygienic:
-
Bathe at least twice a week. NEVER let a week
pass without bathing.
-
Change clothes regularly. “Keep your clothes
clean.” (74:4)
-
Try and remain in the state of Whudu. By doing
this, a person ensures that the parts regularly exposed to dust and dirt are
kept clean.
-
Make sure that Istinjaa is done properly. Many may
find this a trivial point but in the time of the Messenger SAW, a man was
punished in his grave simply because he did not take care when urinating.
It was narrated that Ibn Abaas RA said:
The Messenger SAW passed by two graves and said,
“They are being punished, but not for something difficult to avoid. One of them
used to walk around spreading Nameemah (malicious gossip) and the other did not take
care to avoid getting urine on himself.” [Muslim]
-
Cut nails weekly and remove any unwanted hair
regularly.
-
Brush teeth twice a day and use a Miswaak throughout
the day. The Prophet SAW said, “Had it not been difficult for my Ummah, I would
have ordered them to use Miswaak before every Salaat.” [Bukhari]
It has also been mentioned in another Hadith: “Whoever
eats from this foul smelling plant (raw onion) should not come near our
Masaajid, because the Angels are troubled by what humans are troubled by.”
[Bukhari, Muslim]
This by extension not only refers to foul breath
but also body odours and smoke.
-
Comb hair daily. Once a man came to the Prophet
SAW with his hair dishevelled and the Prophet SAW asked, “Has he no oil with
which to tidy his hair?”
-
Cover mouth/nose when sneezing
The Prophet
SAW advised the Muslims to appear clean and tidy in private and in public. Once
when returning home from battle, He SAW advised his army, “You are soon going
to meet your brothers, so tidy your saddles and clothes. Be distinguished in
the eyes of the people.” [Abu Dawood]
Environmental hygiene:
Islam instructs
Muslims to maintain the cleanliness of roads and streets. Ridding the streets
of impurities and filth is considered to be an act of charity.
“Removing
any harm from the road is charity (that will be rewarded by Allah).” [Bukhari]
The Prophet
SAW said, “Beware of three acts that cause others to curse you; reliveing
yourself in a place where there is stagnant water, on foot paths and in shaded
places.” [Abu Dawood]
This also
includes throwing litter in such places.
Even by
removing a piece of rubbish the size of a matchstick you will a lot of reward
as long as a person’s intention is correct. Especially whilst in Madrassah, we
are guests of the Prophet SAW, think of how much reward such a small act can
gain.
Hadhrat
Abu Hurairah RA reported: A black woman used to clean the Masjid of the
Messenger SAW. The Prophet SAW sensed her absence and asked about her, He SAW
was told that she had passed away. He SAW then said, “Why did you not inform
me?”
Then He
SAW said, “Show me her grave.”
When it
was shown to Him, He SAW offered Jazaazah (funeral) prayers over it and said, “These
graves cover those in them with darkness, and Allah illuminates them for the
inmates as a result of my supplication for them.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
This woman’s
status was so high in the eyes of Allah, that the Prophet SAW prayed Janaazah
Salaat over her grave. And to us, this woman would have been seemed like a nobody!
Even the
Sahaabah RA used to clean up for others. When Hadhrat Abu Bakr RA was the
Khalifah, he used to take time out every day to visit an old blind woman living
on the outskirts of Madinah. He used to cook for her, clean her house and wash
her clothes.
There is
an incident regarding Maulana Hussain Ahmad Madni RH, he was once travelling on
a train and there was a Brahman Hindu in the same compartment as his. The Brahman
needed to use the toilet but returned quickly as the toilet was filthy. Maulana
saw this and went himself and cleaned up the toilet. Upon returning, he
informed the Brahman that the toilet was now fit for use but did not admit that
it was he who cleaned the toilet. Such was his humility!
Such was
the Akhlaaq (character) of our elders, compare this with our character!
Such acts
are the best way to rid a person of pride and inculcate humility within a
person.
In view
of the significance of cleanliness in Islam, Muslims should have the highest
standard of cleanliness and personal hygiene of all people, but it is highly
regrettable that dirt has become the identity of Muslim homes and localities. The
majority Muslim areas are marked with unhygienic conditions not to mention the
highest incidence of rat infestation!
Let it
not be that due to our laziness we incur the wrath of Allah SWT.
