Although there is not much variation among Muslim hygienic practices around the world, there remains a uniform importance of cleanliness and maintaining a healthy physique in order to be the best follower of the faith that they can be. This expands to include a clean self, possessions, living spaces, and world around them.
Handful of Water - Kolkata 2011-03-162001 by Biswarup Ganguly under CC BY 3.0.
Standards of cleanliness in Islamic practices are held highly since the faith looks upon hygiene as a means of purifying oneself in order to carry out their duties in their best state. Under the broad label of "hygiene", there are three areas in which these values are pertinent:
- Ritual washing before acts of prayer
- Physical grooming of face, body, etc.
- Ensurance of clean clothing and surroundings
RITUAL WASHING
Also known as wuhdu, Muslims will perform this small act of washing their faces, hands, and other tactile surfaces with water to get rid of any visible impurities. In doing so, it ensures that this individual will be in their most pure states before kneeling before Allah and can properly respect their Leader.
It should be noted that there are exceptions to this practice. If water supplies are low or not safe for usage, fresh soils can be used in place of water in the cleansing process. Called tayammum, this alternative route to purification is equally effective in ensuring purification before prayer. |
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PHYSICAL GROOMING
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Under this broad category, many various sanitary practices are included among those expected of Muslims in their day-to-day lives. This can include but is not limited to:
In prioritizing these various factors, Muslims purify themselves for Allah and better the community in practicing more healthy habits. If a Muslim is in their healthiest state, they are being the best "brother" to their other fellow Muslims in decreasing spread of bacteria and other pathogens. |
CLEANLINESS OF LINENS AND SURROUNDINGS
Besides prioritizing a clean self, members of the Islamic faith also stress the importance of keeping their clothes and surroundings also free from filth. Muslims stress the value of sustaining pristine conditions in order to ensure full purification. It is argued that without a tidy living space and garments, an Islamic follower is not in their best state to stand before Allah.
In cultivating a clean space, this is not limited to just the living quarters of the Muslim as it extends to nature and everywhere outside of just their home. A dedicated member of the faith will do all in their ability to keep the streets clean and wastes reduced to the best of their abilities.
In cultivating a clean space, this is not limited to just the living quarters of the Muslim as it extends to nature and everywhere outside of just their home. A dedicated member of the faith will do all in their ability to keep the streets clean and wastes reduced to the best of their abilities.
Imaillah, L. (n.d.). The Daily Life of a Muslim Woman. Retrieved from Al Islam: https://www.alislam.org/book/pathway-to-paradise/daily-life-of-a-muslim-woman/
Stacey, A. (2009, January 26). Personal Hygiene: Cleanliness is Half of Faith. Retrieved from The Religion of Islam: https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/2149/viewall/personal-hygiene/
Why Islam Has Laid Emphasis on Personal Hygiene. (2020, March 11). Retrieved from Kashimi Observer: https://kashmirobserver.net/2020/03/11/why-islam-has-laid-emphasis-on-personal-hygiene/
Stacey, A. (2009, January 26). Personal Hygiene: Cleanliness is Half of Faith. Retrieved from The Religion of Islam: https://www.islamreligion.com/articles/2149/viewall/personal-hygiene/
Why Islam Has Laid Emphasis on Personal Hygiene. (2020, March 11). Retrieved from Kashimi Observer: https://kashmirobserver.net/2020/03/11/why-islam-has-laid-emphasis-on-personal-hygiene/