Taharah – Islamic Hygiene
Islamic Hygiene
Taharah is an Arabic word meaning cleanliness and purity. In Islamic law it is the act of purifying oneself from all sorts of impurities. Islam lays great emphasis on Taharah. It is recorded in Sahih Muslim** that Prophet Muhammad said ﷺ: “Cleanliness is half of faith (imaan).”
Taharah is of two types, inner and outer. Inner taharah is related to the purification of the soul while outward taharah concerns our body and external features.
Wudhu
Wudhu means ablution. It is an act of cleansing before performing acts of worship. It has been established in the Quran as well as the Sunnah. Quran says in Surah Al Maida, 5:6
O believers! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles.
The Prophet ﷺ said: The salah of anyone of you will not be accepted if he is in a minor impurity until he performs Wudhu. [Sahih Bukhari]
▪ When to do?
There are certain acts that necessitate ablution.
- Ablution is necessary before offering obligatory and voluntary prayers.
- It is required to make wudhu before performing Ghusl (ritual bath).
- It is preferred to be in a state of ablution when touching a copy of the Quran and when circumambulating the Ka’bah.
- Wudhu breaks when something is discharged from the private parts. Bleeding, falling asleep, vomiting, sexual intercourse or taking intoxicating material can invalidate Wudhu. These necessitate renewal of wudhu and in some case ghusl too.
▪ Benefits?
There are many benefits of Wudhu.
- Expiation of sins.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: “He who performs the Wudu perfectly (according to Sunnah), his sins will depart from his body, even from under his nails.” [Sahih Muslim]
- It is radiance.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said, “Whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so.” [Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim]
- It is a sign of imaan (faith) to preserve Wudhu.
It is recorded in Ibn Majaah**** that the Prophet said ﷺ: “… and no one preservers their wudu except a Believer.”
- Wudhu is adornment of a believer in Paradise.
The Prophet ﷺ said: “The adornment of the believer (in Jannah) will reach the places where the water of Wudu reaches (his body).” [Sahih Muslim]
