Pre-Islamic Arabs hardly accorded attention to keeping away...

Pre-Islamic Arabs hardly accorded attention to keeping away from impurities and their clothes were generally unclean. It was quite common, as in the case of those entangled in the age of ignorance, to wear quite long garments, such that their garments were soiled out of being dragged while they walked [4] .” The Holy Prophet (PBUHH) and the infallible leaders (PBUH) have instructed the Muslims to maintain cleanliness and at the same time, they have seriously frowned at dirtiness and untidiness.

In fact, God Himself is pure and hates dirty and untidy persons: “Surely God is pure and loves what is pure, clean and loves what is clean” , The Prophet (PBUH) was reported to have said: “Verily, Islam is [the religion of] cleanliness, so cleanse yourselves.

For surely, only the cleanly enter Paradise [5] .” In another narration, for God has grounded Islam on cleanliness, and no one will enter Paradise except for clean people: he (PBUH) also said: “Observe cleanliness in every respect you are capable, for indeed God based Islam on cleanliness; and only the cleanly enter Paradise [6] .” In light of these above-quoted texts, it is obvious that all Muslims are required to pay much heed to cleanliness, especially with respect to their ritual practices such as the minor ablution, tayyamum [dry ablution] and major ablution as explained in the jurisprudential books.

For one’s acts of worship will not be accepted unless these ritual actions are performed in their correct manner. Physical Cleanliness In Islam, physical cleanliness is considered desirable at all times, from birth to death. However, in some cases, certain aspects of it are not only desirable but also compulsory. When a child is born, Islam enjoins the Muslims to maintain a high level of cleanliness and purity concerning him/her, as this has an impact on the mind and soul of that child.

If the parents neglect this duty, they should answer before God for the consequences. Similarly, circumcision of the male child-preferably on the seventh day- is a mandatory Islamic custom. “This is very important for the health and hygiene of the child.

This prevents the child against the possible infection of the male genital organ [7] .” At death, due to the importance attached to cleanliness and purity, it is mandatory to perform full body washing ablution (Ghusl) for the dead body of a Muslim.