Amal Al-Sibai

Saudi Gazette

 

CLEANLINESS is strongly embedded in the teachings of Islam, and one must be in a constant state of purifying oneself, physically and spiritually.



Purifying the heart from characteristics that will stain it such as hatred, envy, jealousy, and arrogance is a never-ending task, and one must constantly check and improve the spiritual cleanliness of the heart.



As for physical cleanliness, it is a part of faith and the key to Paradise and better health.



“The key to Paradise is prayer and the key to prayer is purification,” Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said. (Ahmad)



It is stated in the Holy Qur’an, {Truly, Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean}. (Surah 2, verse 222)



Hygiene practices taught by Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) were so intricate and thorough, and were strongly emphasized.



Why was so much stress placed on cleanliness and self-care? Why were such detailed instructions necessary; that delve even into our private and intimate lives?



The ablution or washing five times a day of the hands, face, arms, and feet is a pre-requisite for the obligatory prayer and is in fact a healthy habit that can ward off germs. Researchers from Mayo Clinic said, “Frequent hand-washing is an easy way, and one of the best ways, to prevent infections and spreading illness. Although it is impossible to keep your hands germ-free, washing your hands frequently can help limit the transfer of bacteria, viruses, and other microbes.” Washing hands five times a day for ablution is pretty frequent!



The Prophet (peace be upon him) strongly encouraged brushing the teeth with siwak, a natural toothbrush prepared from the branches of a wild desert plant. No doubt regular tooth brushing is essential for oral hygiene, dental health, and to expel bad breath.



The instructions on bathing after menstruation and/or after sexual intercourse are also directly related to better health.



The prohibition in Islam of sexual intercourse during menstruation is strict and clear, and scientific research today shows how this prohibition protects women’s health.



“Intercourse during and immediately after menstruation is thought to increase risk of cervical cancer, possibly accounting for the relative rarity of cervix cancer in orthodox Jewish women, who abstain during and immediately after menstruation,” wrote Samuel S. Epstein, M.D. in his book ‘The Politics of Cancer’.



Adhering to this religious command may be the reason for the low rates of cervical cancer in Saudi Arabia, a Muslim country. According to a World Cancer Research Fund International report, Saudi Arabia has one of the lowest rates of cervical cancer in the world.



Prohibitions and commandments, whether in the area of personal cleanliness or other, are dictated in Islam for the good of humanity.



The Prophet’s words, (peace be upon him), which I will mention may seem extreme or embarrassing to some, but much wisdom lies in his advice which shows us how to maintain personal cleanliness.



The following five hygiene practices were recommended by the Prophet (peace be upon him): “Circumcision, shaving the pubic hair, removing armpit hair, clipping the nails, and cutting the mustache short.” (Al-Bukhari, hadith number 5889). As for circumcision, it prevents male and female cancers.



Epstein stated that an increased risk of cervical cancer is noted among women whose sexual partners are uncircumcised. The risk of circumcised men developing cancer of the penis is zero, because circumcision prevents this cancer. Hair in the pubic and underarm area is a hotspot for germs that cause foul odor, skin irritations, and bacterial or fungal infections.



You may be surprised, and frightened, by what lives under your long fingernails.



Scientists at Birmingham’s Aston University found that bacteria, which cause diarrhea and vomiting, commonly hide underneath fingernails. Other studies showed that potentially fatal germs can live under the nails of hospital staff. Dirty fingernails could be the source of deadly infections passed from doctors and nurses to patients. Staphylococcus bacteria can also exist under fingernails, so cutting nails short is an effective preventive measure against infectious disease.



Food safety and hygiene consultant, Rachelle Williams, said, “When you’re washing your hands you need to make sure you’re getting under the fingernails and particularly the tips. If someone has long fingernails they must keep them clean. But I would recommend in food business and at home not having long fingernails.”



The mustache should be trimmed so that food particles, drink, and dirt do not accumulate in it.



When children start growing into adolescents, it is the right time to share with them these teachings of the Prophet (peace be upon him) as a crash course in self-care and personal hygiene.



A person of faith strives to be clean, inside and out, and a person of good character and integrity is always seen as beautiful, inside and out.