The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was compassionate and kind to his followers, always encouraging them toward good deeds and instructing them against wrongdoing. Among the many issues he emphasized was the matter of Hygiene and the importance of paying attention to it. He was so sensitive to the intricacies of cleanliness and the upbringing of his community that he never hesitated to offer guidance, treating these matters with a parental concern, saying: “Indeed, I am to you like a father to his child.”
The Prophet (peace be upon him) showed such attention to cleanliness that he even provided guidance on cleanliness during relieving oneself. He advised: “When you go to relieve yourself, do not face the Qibla (direction of prayer). When relieving oneself, do not clean yourself with your right hand, and do not use fewer than three stones or use animal dung or bones to clean yourself.”
If we examine this Hadith closely, we can see the numerous points of cleanliness he considered:
1. The **right hand** is to be used for important and honorable tasks, such as eating and shaking hands with people. Therefore, it should not be soiled to avoid the transmission of germs to oneself and others.
2. The **prohibition of using fewer than three stones** for purification is based on the premise that less than three stones will not ensure proper cleanliness.
3. **Using animal dung**, which is impure, does not lead to cleanliness; in fact, it increases impurity.
4. The **prohibition of using bones** is due to their fat content or sharp edges, which could cause injury.
Additionally, the Prophet (peace be upon him) strictly forbade relieving oneself in certain places: in the direction of the wind, in stagnant water, while standing, in public pathways, or in places where people gather, such as under shade or in workplaces. He warned against these practices with stern words, stating: “Beware of those things that bring about a curse.” When asked what these were, he replied: “The person who relieves himself in the pathway of the people or in their shade.”
Attention to Washing Hands Upon Waking
When a person falls asleep, they become unaware of their surroundings and do not know where their hands have touched. It is likely that their hands have come into contact with areas that harbor germs, body hair, and bodily openings, rendering them impure. There is a strong possibility that their hands may contaminate water and facilitate the entry and spread of germs into their mouth, nose, and stomach. Therefore, a significant cleanliness measure has been prescribed, and we are explicitly prohibited from neglecting it: “When one of you awakens from sleep, let him not dip his hand into his vessel until he has washed it three times, for he does not know where his hand has been.”
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