Personal Etiquette and Cleanliness

Muslims are required to take care of their personal hygiene by assuring that they are well groomed, and that their bodies, clothing and surroundings are clean. It is mentioned in the Quran: “Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves.” (Quran 2:222)

Prior to obligatory or voluntary prayer, a person must ensure that he is in a state of cleanliness. He does this by performing Wudu (ablution). Ritually cleansing the body by performing Wudu includes washing the hands, rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face, washing the arms up to the elbows, wiping the head (and beard), washing the ears, including behind the ears and washing the feet up to and including the ankle.

Allah mentions in the Quran: “O you who believe! When you intend to offer the prayer, wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles." (Quran 5:6)

Allah, the Exalted mentions in the Quran: “And march forth toward forgiveness from your Lord, and for Paradise as wide as are the heavens and the earth, prepared for the pious. Those who spend (in the way of God) in prosperity and in adversity, who repress anger, and who pardon people; verily, God loves the doers of the good deeds.” (Quran 3:133)

These three acts are among the hardest things for most people, but they are also the key to forgiveness and to paradise. Are they not the best, those who are able to exercise charity when they are in need themselves, control when they are angry and forgiveness when they are wronged.

This is the standard by which actions are judged as good or bad. By making pleasing God the objective of every Muslim, Islam has set the highest possible standard of morality.

Morality in Islam addresses every aspect of a Muslim’s life, from greetings to international relations. It is universal in its scope and in its applicability. Morality reigns in selfish desires, vanity and bad habits

In Islam, serving one’s parents is a duty second to prayer, and it is their right to expect it. It is considered despicable to express any irritation when, through no fault of their own, the old become difficult.

Allah, the Exalted mentioned in the Quran: “Your Lord has commanded that you worship none but Him, and that you be kind to your parents. If one of them or both of them reach old age with you, do not say to them a word of disrespect, or scold them, but say a generous word to them. And act humbly to them in mercy, and say, ‘My Lord, have mercy on them, since they cared for me when I was small'.” (Quran 17:23-24)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever believes in God and the Last Day should speak a good word or remain silent. And whoever believes in God and the Last Day should show hospitality to his neighbour. And whoever believes in God and the Last Day should show hospitality to his guest.” (Saheeh Bukhari and Saheeh Muslim)

The Arabic word for purity is 'Tahara' and it means to be free from filth, both spiritual and physical. Purity is the key to prayer. Spiritual 'Tahara' means being free from sin and idolatry and it denotes believing in the Oneness of Allah. It is as important as physical cleanliness. Before a person stands before God in the special connection that is prayer, he must ensure that his heart is free from sin, arrogance and hypocrisy

A Muslim pays due attention to his body’s physical needs taking good care of it and promoting its good health and strength. He does this by being active and not eating excessively. Rather, he eats enough to maintain his health and energy because he understands that a strong believer is more loved by God than a weak believer. The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Indeed a strong believer is more beloved to God than a weak believer. In both of them are good virtues.” Allah, the Almighty, says: “Eat and drink; but be not wasteful, for God does not love the people who waste.” (Quran 7:31)

Muslims begin every task or action by mentioning the name of God, and eating is no exception. Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of God be upon him, said: “When one of you eats, he should mention God's name; if he forgets to mention God's name at the beginning, he should say: "I begin with the name of God at the beginning and at the end of it (i.e. this meal)." (At-Tirmidhi, Abi Dawud, Ibn Majah)

It is important to remember that Islam is a moderate way of life, we should not overindulge nor should we deprive ourselves of the delicious food that God has provided for us

The most fundamental characteristics of a Muslim are piety and humility. A Muslim must be humble with Allah and with other people: “And turn not your face away from people (with pride), nor walk in insolence through the earth. Verily, God likes not each arrogant boaster. And be moderate (or show no insolence) in your walking, and lower your voice. Verily, the harshest of all voices is the voice (braying) of the ass.” (Quran 31:18-19)

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) informed his companions and thus all of us, about the importance of cleanliness when he said, “cleanliness is half of faith". (Saheeh Muslim)