Abstract: Undoubtedly, Islam is the supreme divine religion that emphasizes personal, family, and environmental Hygiene more than other religions. Islam considers cleanliness a fundamental rule, to the point that it views cleanliness as a part of faith. This demonstrates that a person’s faith cannot be complete without observing hygiene.
Keywords: Hygiene, Cleanliness, Islam, Humanity.
Numerous verses and hadiths emphasize the importance of cleanliness. In narrations, cleanliness is considered a part of faith, as Imam Muslim (may Allah have mercy on him) recorded in his Sahih a hadith narrated by Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari: “The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “«الطهور شطر الإيمان» Translation: “Hygiene is a part of faith.” In another hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah from the Messenger of Allah, may God bless him and grant him peace, he said: «ألا أدلكم على ما يمحو الله به الخطايا ويرفع به الدرجات؟ فقالوا: بلی یا رسول الله، قال: إسباغ الوضوء على المكاره وكثرة الخطى إلى المساجد…» Translation: “Shall I not guide you to something by which Allah erases sins and elevates ranks?” They said, “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said, “Perfecting ablution when it is difficult for a person to do so, and walking frequently to the mosques…”
In the first hadith, Hygiene and cleanliness are considered a significant part of faith. In the second hadith, to encourage Muslims to observe cleanliness, a great reward is promised, in addition to attaining purity, health, and well-being. Sins are erased, and individuals’ ranks are elevated.
In another hadith, it is stated that with the washing of each body part, in addition to achieving cleanliness, the sins and legal impurities of that part are removed, and after attaining purity from sins, one comes out cleansed.
In Islam, so much emphasis is placed on complete purification and cleanliness that “if purification is incomplete, the harmful, non-sensory effects of it may manifest in others, especially the Imam, by causing mistakes in the recitation of the Quran during prayer,” as mentioned in the hadiths.
