Physical Purity

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

The following is a transcript of a discourse given by Mawlana Wafi’ Muhammad. 

We are in the blessed month of Rajab and consequently the event of the Mi’raj will be highlighted.  The Mi’raj is the greatest event that could have ever happened to a creature in this universe.  So when the topic of the Mi’raj is raised, there are many dimensions to it that can be expounded on.  Today I would like to draw our attention to one pertinent aspect.  The goal of the Mi’raj was to meet Allah (s.w.t.).  But we cannot meet Allah (s.w.t.) if we are unclean.  Allah (s.w.t.) says: 

سُوۡرَةُ البَقَرَة

... إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٲبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلۡمُتَطَهِّرِينَ (٢٢٢) 

… for Allah Loves those who turn to Him constantly, and He Loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. (Surah al-Baqarah:222) 

This is the first important lesson for us.  Purity is a comprehensive term because it deals with the body, mind and soul.  But today, let us just look at the physical aspect of it.  If we have to consciously make an effort to meet our Lord, we first have to observe physical cleanliness.  Because it is such an important ingredient to meet Allah (s.w.t.), Allah (s.w.t.) Says of the unbelievers: 

سُوۡرَةُ التّوبَة

يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِنَّمَا ٱلۡمُشۡرِكُونَ نَجَسٌ۬ فَلَا يَقۡرَبُواْ ٱلۡمَسۡجِدَ ٱلۡحَرَامَ بَعۡدَ عَامِهِمۡ هَـٰذَا‌ۚ ... (٢٨) 

O you who believe!  Truly the pagans are unclean; so let them not, after this year of theirs, approach the Sacred Mosque ... (Surah at-Tawbah:28) 

The next important point is swalah.  In the institution of swalah, we are actually standing before our Lord.  Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) is reported to have said, “Worship Allah as if you see Him, for if you don't see Him then truly He Sees you”.  And he is also reported to have said, “Swalah is the Mi’raj of a believer.”  Why is this so?  In swalah, we are standing before our Lord and conversing with Him.  And the prerequisite of swalah is physical cleanliness.  Once cannot perform the swalah if wudhu and or ghusl have not been observed.  We need to keep in mind that if one wants to feel the presence of Allah (s.w.t.), we have to first be physically clean.  This is not only when it comes to swalah, but even if we want to enter His House or read His Glorious Book.  Also, we do not know when the angel of Death will visit us so it’s prudent that we observe physical cleanliness so that whenever he comes, we would be in a fit state to return to our Lord.  Part of spirituality is to observe cleanliness, and the Mi’raj confirmed this.  If we are not pure and clean, it would be improbable to meet Allah (s.w.t.). 

We must make this Mi’raj that point where we try to attain cleanliness for our entire personality and start off with the physical aspect of it.  May Allah (s.w.t.) Make it easy for us and Take Care of our affairs.



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