In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful
Cleanliness plays a big part in a Muslims life, because of the amount of times we worship Allah (SWT). For a student, it is more important to be in the state of cleanliness because you are always active learning. Therefore, try to keep your clothes like pious and righteous scholars whether you are at home or in madrasah. It is also advised that we should avoid wearing clothes with writings or pictures and fashionable clothing.
There are also other aspects to bear in mind regarding cleanliness.
Allah (SWT) says:
| وَٱللَّهُ يُحِبُّ ٱلْمُطَّهِّرِينَ |
"And Allah (SWT) loves those who make themselves clean and pure."
(Surah at-Taubah: 108)
The Prophet (PBUH) categorised the importance of cleanliness by saying:
| الطُّهُورُ شَطْرُ الإِيمَانِ |
"Cleanliness is one half of faith."
(Sahih al-Muslim: 328)
Cleanliness can be separated into two categories:
- Personal Hygiene
- Environmental Hygiene
1. Personal Hygiene
Personal hygiene consists of several factors that are very beneficial and important to act upon:
The Body
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حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ مَعِينٍ، حَدَّثَنَا وَكِيعٌ، عَنْ زَكَرِيَّا بْنِ أَبِي زَائِدَةَ، عَنْ مُصْعَبِ بْنِ شَيْبَةَ، عَنْ طَلْقِ بْنِ حَبِيبٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ الزُّبَيْرِ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " عَشْرٌ مِنَ الْفِطْرَةِ قَصُّ الشَّارِبِ وَإِعْفَاءُ اللِّحْيَةِ وَالسِّوَاكُ وَالاِسْتِنْشَاقُ بِالْمَاءِ وَقَصُّ الأَظْفَارِ وَغَسْلُ الْبَرَاجِمِ وَنَتْفُ الإِبِطِ وَحَلْقُ الْعَانَةِ وَانْتِقَاصُ الْمَاءِ " . يَعْنِي الاِسْتِنْجَاءَ بِالْمَاءِ . قَالَ زَكَرِيَّا قَالَ مُصْعَبٌ وَنَسِيتُ الْعَاشِرَةَ إِلاَّ أَنْ تَكُونَ الْمَضْمَضَةَ .
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Aisha (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said:
"Ten are the acts according to fitrah (nature):
(1) Clipping the moustache,
(2) Letting the beard grow,
(3) Using the tooth-stick,
(4) Cleansing the nose (Al-Instinshaaq) with water,
(5) Cutting the nails,
(6) Washing the finger joints,
(7) Plucking the hair under the arm-pits,
(8) Shaving the pubic hair, and
(9) Cleansing one's private parts (after easing or urinating) with water.
The narrator said: I have forgotten the tenth, but it may have been
(10) Rinsing the mouth."
(Sunan Abi Dawud, Hadith No: 53)
Besides that, which is mentioned in the above Hadith, there is also:
- Remaining in the state of Wudu' at all times.
- Performing ghusl (bath) regularly.
- Doing Istinjaa' (purifying yourself after using the toilet) correctly.
- Taking care of your hair and beard by oiling it periodically and combing it.
- Moisturising the body.
- Apparel.
- Applying sweet-scented perfume as this is Sunnah; moreover, it is described as "Food for the soul".
- Wearing clean ironed clothes.
- Dressing smartly and appropriately.
2. Environmental Hygiene
Environmental hygiene is simply the cleanliness of your surroundings.
This includes:
- Clean and tidy classrooms and bedrooms
- Regular vacuuming
- Litter thrown in bins provided
- Generally keeping the area around you clean and tidy, especially the dining area.
Regardless of wherever you are or whatever you do, please do not assume that being dirty and wearing smelly clothes is acting in accordance with the simplicity of the Prophet. This is purely a sign of neglect of the beloved Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH).
He (PBUH) would never approve of a person giving others hardship because of their body odour, let clone wear clothes or live in an area or place that is dirty. Therefore, please keep the environment around you clean at all times.
May Allah (SWT) grant us all the ability to act upon the Qur'aan and Sunnah, Aameen.