Cleanliness and Purity in Islam
Cleanliness and purity are both extremely important in Islam and they are stressed many times in Quran and hadith. It is even said that it’s half of the Momin’s Imaan which means that cleanliness and personal hygiene make us faithful and provide us a stronger relationship with Allah Almighty. There are many ways to learn the basic habits to purify ourselves. Quran tutors online also make an easy for us to learn the Quran online and also to provide our kids with the teachings of the Quran about cleanliness just a click away from us. Here are some of the important points that make us aware of the necessity of being clean which provides us a closer relationship with Almighty Allah as His most beloved creation.
register nowCleanliness as a Part of Faith
Cleanliness and purity are given major importance in the Quran. They have a prime role in building up one’s strong faith and a better connection with Allah [SWT]. They are believed to be a part of faith as said by our beloved Prophet [SAWS];
‘’Cleanliness is the half faith [Imaan]’’ [Sahih Muslim]
It’s the most commonly used hadith. It describes the importance of purity in Islam in the simplest way. Nowadays, it is convenient for us to learn the basics of cleanliness as there are a number of online Quran tutors available on every second website. They work to provide the Quran for kids all around the world. There are many ways for us to build up our Imaans but the choice is just ours, seeking the good or bad is just upon us.
register nowCleanliness Before Islam
Cleanliness and purity are emphasized as a must for a person in Islam. Before the arrival of Islam, people were unaware of sterility and personal hygiene. Other religions were also unfamiliar with the importance of purification, and it was considered one’s choice to be a hygienic person or not. But Islam stresses the aspect of cleanliness a lot and makes it necessary to be clean and purified.
Now it’s not our choice to be hygienic or not; it’s the Almighty asking us to be cleaned. Indeed, He’s the one who knows the best for us, even the innermost secrets of the heart
register nowNecessity of Cleanliness to Offer Salah
Quranic Evidence for Purification
Cleanliness is not just stressed as a basic principle of Islam, but it is also necessary to offer prayer. As it is emphasized to a Muslim to offer prayer [Salah] after purifying himself through complete ablution [ghusl] as Allah Almighty says in the Qur’an;
‘’O you who have believed, when you rise to [offer] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of Janabah, then clean yourselves up. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek for clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.’’ [Quran 5:6]
So, it is clear from the above ayah that cleanliness is a basic principle of Islam, which is necessary to worship the Almighty Allah.
register nowCleanliness as a Way to Health
Being clean provides us with a way to a healthy and strengthened life. Islam requires a clean, hygienic society, capable of understanding the Almighty Allah’s message and the results of applying and neglecting it. It is as stated by Allah [SWT] in the Quran;
‘’You are the best community that hath been raised up for mankind, enjoying what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.’’ [Quran; 3:110]
As it is easy in this modern world, Quran tutors online make it possible for us to bring the teachings of Islam to our kids. Kids should be taught the importance of cleanliness and that it’s Allah’s message for us. We should be a source of the Quran for kids as well through which we can provide them with Islamic teachings at the beginning of their lives.
register nowInternal and External Purity
Internal Purity
Internal purity is the result of our deeds. To purify our inner, we have to admire the five pillars of Islam and have clean, pure thoughts, a heart trying to circumvent itself from sins, and a heart pure from negativity, ego, arrogance, and ignorance.
External Purity
External purification can be obtained by purifying the body completely, such as through ablution, by taking a bath, by cleaning teeth, cleaning nails, using fragrances, and wearing cleaned clothes, etc. The Prophet [SAWS] said;
‘’ He who perfumed himself for Allah, Most High, will be raised on the Day of Resurrection, smelling more fragrant than sweet musk, whereas he who perfumes himself for other than Allah will be raised on the Day of Resurrection smelling more putrid than a corpse.’’ [al-Mahajjat al-Baydha, v. 8 p. 105]
This means that we have to make ourselves clean, pure, and fragranced if not for ourselves then for the sake of Allah, to become His beloved one.
register nowCleanliness as the Base of Islam
Cleanliness is indeed an important factor in Islam because Islam is all about purity. It demands the person to be pure from evil thoughts that brought us away from Allah step after step, it demands the person always try to make himself pure, not just externally but internally as well, because internal purity is something which could never be for someone else other than Allah. By taking such little steps, we become a bit closer to Allah, a bit more and a bit more. As our Prophet [SAWS] said;
“Try to be as clean as you are able. Verily, Allah has based the foundation of Islam on cleanliness; hence, never can a person enter Paradise but the clean ones.” [Kanz-ul-’Ummal, Tradition26002]
Sources
Surat Al-Ma’idah – The Noble Qur’an – القرآن الكريم. https://legacy.quran.com/5
register nowFrequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why is cleanliness so important in Islam?
Cleanliness in Islam is essential because it is considered half of faith (Imaan). The Quran and Hadith emphasize purity, both internal and external, as a way to strengthen a Muslim’s relationship with Allah.
2. Is cleanliness a condition for offering Salah (prayer)?
Yes, a Muslim must be clean before offering Salah. Performing ablution (Wudu) or ghusl is a requirement mentioned in Quran 5:6, ensuring that worship is performed in a state of purity.
3. What is the difference between internal and external purity in Islam?
Internal purity refers to having a clean heart free from arrogance, sins, and negativity. External purity involves maintaining personal hygiene through Wudu, bathing, clean clothes, trimmed nails, and fragrances, which keeps a believer physically pure.
4. How does Islam link cleanliness with health?
Islam considers cleanliness a way to a healthy, hygienic lifestyle. By maintaining cleanliness, Muslims create strong societies capable of following Allah’s commands and living healthier lives, as emphasized in Quran 3:110.
5. Was cleanliness emphasized before Islam?
Before the arrival of Islam, people were largely unaware of personal hygiene and purification. Islam transformed this concept by making cleanliness and purity an obligation for every believer.
6. How can Muslim children learn about cleanliness in Islam?
Muslim children can learn the importance of cleanliness through online Quran tutors and Quran classes. These platforms teach both Quranic recitation and the Prophet’s guidance on purity, making Islamic education accessible worldwide.
7. What Hadiths talk about cleanliness as part of faith?
One of the most famous Hadiths from Sahih Muslim states: “Cleanliness is half of faith.” Another Hadith mentions that Islam is founded upon cleanliness, and no one can truly enter Paradise without it.
8. How does cleanliness help in spiritual growth?
Cleanliness purifies both the body and soul, enabling believers to focus better in prayer, avoid sins, and grow spiritually. Internal and external purity together bring a Muslim closer to Allah.
Conclusion
Cleanliness is deeply rooted in Islamic faith, highlighted through the Quran and Hadith. It is essential for worship, health, and spiritual growth, laying the foundation of a believer’s journey toward Allah.
Cleanliness is not only about personal hygiene, but it is a powerful act of faith that brings us closer to Allah. The Qur’an and Hadith repeatedly highlight purity as the foundation of Islam and half of our Imaan. If you want to explore more about Cleanliness and Purity in the Qur’an, start learning today with expert Quran tutors online who will guide you and your family in adopting these teachings for a stronger faith.
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