Cleanliness in Islam

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

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

The Merciful Lord Who is High above His Creation has Allocated for Himself Divine Attributes which are to be the terms of reference for man who is required to represent Him here on Earth.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الرُّوم

… فِطۡرَتَ ٱللَّهِ ٱلَّتِى فَطَرَ ٱلنَّاسَ عَلَيۡہَا‌ۚ لَا تَبۡدِيلَ لِخَلۡقِ ٱللَّهِ‌ۚ … (٣٠) 

… (Establish) Allah’s Handiwork according to the pattern on which He has Made mankind: no change (let there be) in the work (wrought) by Allah: ... (Surah ar-Rum:30) 

It is without doubt a great blessing for man, a finite creature, to be Selected by the All-Knowing, Infinite Being to be able to manifest something the “Habits of God”, contained in His Divine Personality, in our earthly life.  Every Attribute is equally important and has its benefits.  Perhaps, this is a reason Allah (s.w.t.) Makes them known to us.  He Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴعرَاف

وَلِلَّهِ ٱلۡأَسۡمَآءُ ٱلۡحُسۡنَىٰ فَٱدۡعُوهُ بِہَا‌ۖ … (١٨٠) 

The Most Beautiful Names Belong to Allah: ... (Surah al-A’araf:180) 

Islam teaches that man should make every effort to mould his personality in accordance with the qualities contained in the Divine Attributes, so that he will become a better person physically, morally and spiritually.  In order to maximise the effect between creature and the Creator, one has to be pure and clean, as impurities will prevent proper contact between the light of the Lord and the soul.  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) 

Impurities are of different kinds and affect the personality in different ways.  The basic is physical impurity.  It soils the physical body and must be removed.  In order to be able to maximise the benefit from worship, reading of the Qur’an, and such like, one has to be in a state of physical purity.  Perhaps, this is one of the reasons why the Prophet (s.a.w.) is reported to have said, “Cleanliness is half of faith; cleanliness is next to godliness.” 

On the Day of Judgement, we will be required to stand before our Lord with body and soul.  If the body was not kept clean, there will be a problem, as the Lord Loves cleanliness.  Additionally, the action of the physical body through the nafs, can impact upon the soul.  It can either keep it bright and shining or the soul can be soiled.  As indulgence in prohibited things will put stains on it.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ المطفّفِین

كَلَّا‌ۖ بَلۡۜ رَانَ عَلَىٰ قُلُوبِہِم مَّا كَانُواْ يَكۡسِبُونَ (١٤) 

By no means!  But on their hearts is the stain of the (ill) which they do! (Surah al-Muthaffifin:14) 

سُوۡرَةُ الاٴنعَام

ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُواْ وَلَمۡ يَلۡبِسُوٓاْ إِيمَـٰنَهُم بِظُلۡمٍ أُوْلَـٰٓٮِٕكَ لَهُمُ ٱلۡأَمۡنُ وَهُم مُّهۡتَدُونَ (٨٢) 

“It is those who believe and mix not their beliefs with wrong ― that are (truly) in security, for they are on (right) guidance.” (Surah al-An’am:82) 

When the light of the soul becomes soiled, it can spread to the cells of the body.  This will cause the body to remain dark, and upon resurrection will have no light in it.  Allah (s.w.t.) Says: 

سُوۡرَةُ آل عِمرَان

يَوۡمَ تَبۡيَضُّ وُجُوهٌ۬ وَتَسۡوَدُّ وُجُوهٌ۬‌ۚ… (١٠٦) 

On the Day when some faces will be (lit up with) white, and some faces will be (in the gloom of) black; ... (Surah Ali ‘Imran:106) 

As Allah (s.w.t.) Gave Guidance in the Book and in the life pattern of the Beloved Messenger, we must endeavour to keep our selves pure and clean if we are desirous benefitting from what the Lord has Prepared for those who took the necessary care to keep themselves pure and clean.