In the Islamic faith, cleanliness (taharah) is far more than a daily habit; it is the first step toward standing in the presence of God (Allah). For this reason, the body, clothing, and the place of worship must be clean for acts of worship to be accepted. The Qur’an clearly presents both the physical and spiritual dimensions of cleanliness in the following verse:
“Indeed, Allah loves those who constantly repent and those who purify themselves.” (Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 222)
In Islam, cleanliness is divided into two categories:
External Cleanliness:
Purifying the body, clothing, and the surrounding environment from dirt and impurities.
Internal Cleanliness:
Purifying the heart from negative thoughts, arrogance, and envy.
Muslims perform ablution (wudu) before praying five times a day. Ablution is a symbolic and physical purification performed with water. This ritual helps detach a person from the chaos of the world and places them in a state of spiritual focus. The Qur’an clearly explains how ablution should be performed:
“O you who believe! When you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe over your heads, and wash your feet up to the ankles…” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, Verse 6)
Basic Steps of Ablution
Intention and Hands:
The process begins with making the intention and washing the hands.
Mouth and Nose:
The mouth and nose are rinsed with water (providing freshness and hygiene).
Face:
The entire face is washed.
Arms:
The arms are washed up to and including the elbows.
Head and Ears:
The head is wiped with wet hands and the ears are cleaned.
Feet:
The feet are washed up to and including the ankles.
According to Islam, water is the source of life and the greatest purifier. However, in situations where water is unavailable, Tayammum (symbolic purification performed with clean earth) is permitted, emphasizing the importance of intention. This shows that the goal of cleanliness in Islam is not merely to “get wet,” but to develop a disciplined state of purification.