Islam has given so much importance to cleanliness as it is considered to be a part of faith.

Cleanliness and purification are one of the great exemptions of Islam. Islam places great stress on
cleanliness, whether it’s in physical or spiritual terms. The attention to hygiene is the condition which
was unfamiliar with any other religion before Islam. While people generally consider cleanliness or
purification a desirable aspect, but Islam insists on it, making hygiene an essential part of faith.
Cleanliness is an essential part of Islamic life. We can say the meaning and spirit behind the concept
of cleanliness is above the slight concept of the traditional cleanliness. In Holy Quran Allah Almighty
says: “Allah does not intend to inconvenience you, but He intends to purify you and perfect His favor to
you, so that you may give thanks”. (Quran, 5:6)
Cleanliness and purification are of two types in which we have inner purification and outer
purification.

Inner Purification: Inner purification can be achieved by encouraging the five pillars of Islam. Having
clean and pure thinking, avoiding sins, making a lot of dhikrs and most importantly making sure the
heart is pure of spiritual affliction such as anger, hatred, relying on other people than Allah, pride,
arrogance, etc.
Outer Purification: Outer purification can be obtained by proper bodily purification e.g. making
ablution, taking bath, cleaning teeth, using fragrance, keeping house and clothes clean etc.
Our beloved Prophet (SAW) said about purity in one of His hadith in a way: “Cleanliness is half the
faith (Emaan).” (Sahih Muslim). So we can conclude that Cleanliness and purity are part of our faith
which we have to take seriously in our lives. The Holy Prophet (SAW) practiced cleanliness himself
and ordered his companions to follow too. He kept his body and clothes clean, took bath on regular
basis, liked the use of fragrance, liked to do Miswaak, He (PBUH) disliked the use of smelly things
like garlic etc .and appreciated neat and attractive appearance.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “The key to the prayer is cleanliness, its beginning is takbir (saying
Allahu Akbar) and its ending is Salam (salutation).” (Abu Dawud). Islam has always encouraged the
believer to be in a state of cleanliness both physically and spiritually. As mentioned above, one of
the most important aspects of prayers is that a person should be clean before performing them five
times a day.
There are many instructions in connection with health, hygiene and nutrition and about the
cleanliness of air and environment in Islam. Some of them are listed below:

o Wash your mouth and hands before and after a meal.

o Keep food and water covered.
o Offer Salah with clean body and clothes.
o Use fragrance or perfume.
o Comb your hair and use oil on the hair.
o Take bath and perform ablution for offering prayers.
o Go to bed early and rise early in the morning.
o Go for a walk in the morning.
o Keep your house and streets clean or we can say keep your environment clean.
o Keep your clothes and body clean.
o Do Miswak regularly.
Cleanliness is the pathway to health and strength. Islam wants a healthy and strong Muslim society
which is capable of understanding and applying Allah’s message and carrying it away to the whole
world. The Holy Quran says: “You are the best community that hath been raised up for mankind,
enjoining what is right, forbidding what is wrong, and believing in Allah.” (Quran, 3:110)
In short, Cleanliness is a part of faith or we can say it is half the faith. We often clean our homes,
brush our teeth daily, take bath, wash our clothes, wash dishes, use perfume. Do we realize that we
are getting rewarded by Allah (SWT) for it? No, because generally we never think of doing these
acts for an account of reward from Allah Almighty, we don’t do them for the pleasure of Allah as we
are obeying his commands. May Allah give us the strength to obey His commands and get rewards
and blessings from Him! Ameen