PURITY AND CLEANLINESS

Cleanliness and purity are highly valued in Islam. The Quran states: “God loves those who turn to Him in penitence, and He loves those who keep themselves clean.” (2:222)

Repentance occurs when a person feels remorse after a mistake and returns to a path of truth. This act of repentance purifies the person’s inner being. Similarly, water serves as a means of cleaning external dirt. Through repentance, a person cleanses their soul, and with water, they cleanse their body. Both of these practices are greatly emphasized in Islam.

A well-known saying from the Prophet of Islam goes: “Purity is half of faith.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 3519) Similarly, the Prophet of Islam said: “God is pure and He loves purity.” (Sunan al-Tirmidhi, Hadith No. 2799) In Ibn Majah’s Book of Purification, there is an entire chapter titled “The Chapter on the Reward of Purity” (Bab thawab al-tahur).

Humans, as beings, are naturally inclined toward cleanliness. This instinct for cleanliness is a part of their nature. Because Islam aligns with human nature, it stresses the importance of always remaining clean—whether it’s one’s body, clothing, home, or possessions.

Due to the great importance given to cleanliness and hygiene, it was common among the Companions of the Prophet to bathe daily—even though water was scarce in Arabia. Most books of Hadith contain a separate chapter dedicated to purity and cleanliness. In Muwatta of Malik (Book of Purification), it is narrated from the son of Abdullah ibn Umar that his father would bathe before every ablution. In this way, he would bathe five times a day.

Maintaining cleanliness in both the body and soul is an essential principle in Islam.