Islam emphasises personal hygiene

GOD Almighty declares in The Holy Qur’aan: “Truly, God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and He loves those who purify themselves.” (Ch 2 : v 222)

Islam upholds extremely high standards of personal hygiene, because it places great emphasis on all aspects of cleanliness — physical, mental, social and spiritual. While humankind in general usually considers cleanliness to be a pleasing attribute, Islam insists on it and has even declared it to be “part of faith”!

Islam is a holistic religion that takes into account humankind’s need for a balance between physical, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being.

Personal hygiene and cleanliness, both physical and spiritual, keeps both the body and mind free from disease. Cleanliness is an important part of the high standards and values that are inherent in Islam.

Believers are required to take care of their personal hygiene by assuring that they are well groomed, and that their bodies, clothing, and surroundings are clean at all times.

The Last and Final Messenger of Allah Almighty, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) informed his companions and thus all of humanity, about the importance of cleanliness when he said, “Cleanliness is half of faith.”

Personal hygiene is desirable at all times and certain aspects of personal hygiene are not only important but also compulsory.

In the Islamic teachings, broadly speaking, physical cleanliness can be categorised into three parts:

◆ Purification as in ritual washing in order to perform prayer;

◆ Keeping the body, clothing, and environment clean;

◆ Specifically removing the dirt or grime that collects in the various parts of the body, such as teeth, nostrils, under the nails, in the armpits and around the pubic area.

Ritually cleansing the body before prayers by performing ablution includes washing the hands, rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face, washing the arms up to the elbows, wiping the head (and beard for men), wiping the ears, including behind the ears and washing the feet up to and including the ankle.

Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) taught the Believers to perform ablution in an environmentally friendly manner. Water was often scarce and he recommended using as little water as necessary to complete the ablution correctly.

The teachings of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) include advice about actions that are part of a natural way to maintain personal hygiene.

He said that, “Five things are part of the natural way: shaving the pubic hair, circumcision (for males), trimming the moustache, removing the hair of the armpits, and cutting the nails”. This is believed to be the natural way of afore-time, followed by all of the Messengers/ Prophets of The Almighty, and enjoined on the Believers by the laws that they brought.

Each aspect highlighted plays a tremendous role in ensuring greater personal hygiene and definitely reduces or even eliminates the possibility of bacterial growth and disease.

Personal hygiene is of prime importance in Islam. In order to worship God Almighty correctly it is necessary to strive to be healthy in both mind and body.

Physical cleanliness is important just as spiritual cleanliness is important. Islam has provided clear guidelines in this regard.

Our purpose is to worship God Almighty and we are asked to assure that all our actions begin with the intention to please Him.

Pleasing God Almighty is meant to be the ultimate goal for every human and He reminds us in The Holy Qur’aan that cleanliness is pleasing to Him.

Spiritual cleanliness means being free from sin and idolatry and denotes believing in the Oneness of God. It is as important as physical cleanliness.

Prior to a person standing before God Almighty in the special connection that is prayer, he must also ensure that his heart is free from sin, arrogance, hypocrisy.

◆ For further information on Islam please contact:

◆ Majlisul Ulama Zimbabwe, Council of Islamic Scholars Publications DepartmentP.O. Box W93, Waterfalls, HarareTel: 024-2614078 / 024-2614004 email: majliszw@yahoo.com <mailto:majliszw@yahoo.com>