Cleanliness is essential for health and normal growth. It should be maintained in food, water, air, and environment. Cleanliness refreshes both physically and spiritually. Islam stresses cleanliness in all activities, through practices like clipping nails, removing body hair, making ablution, and combing hair. The Quran says Allah loves those who keep themselves pure and clean. The Prophet Muhammad said cleanliness is half of faith.

1. Cleanliness 2009 | Hijri 1430
CLEANLINESS
Cleanliness is very essential for the upkeep of health and for the normal growth of
our body. It should be maintained in the food we eat, the water we drink, the air
we breathe, and the environment we live in.
Cleanliness refreshes; it makes for health—bodily and spiritual.
Cleanliness also means clipping one’s fingernails, trimming the moustache,
removing off the hairs from under the armpits, and the pubic region, making
ablution or preferably taking a complete bath, and to comb the beard and the
hairs on the head.
Islam stress cleanliness in all of our activities. Cleanliness helps us live a dignified
life. Through physical cleanliness, we would be able to maintain spiritual and
mental cleanliness. Cleanliness in speech, in manners, and in action, helps bond
us in a state of brotherhood.
In the Illustrious Qur’an, we learn that, “Allah loves those who keep themselves
pure and clean,” (Chapter 2: Verse 222); He also asks us to purify our garments,
and to shun uncleanliness (Ref. Chapter 74: Verse 4–5); and says that, “those
will prosper who purify themselves,” (Chapter 87: Verse 14).
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, said “Cleanliness is half of faith.” (Sahih
Muslim, Book 002, Number 0432) MH
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