Cleanliness and purification is one of the great privileges of Islam. It has evolved a wonderful system that encompasses Muslim life on individual and social levels.
Islam places great emphasis on cleanliness, in both physical and spiritual terms. While people generally consider cleanliness a desirable attribute, Islam insists on it, making it an indispensable fundamental of faith.
Cleanliness is an essential part of Islamic life. 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. Prophet Muhammad informed his companions and thus all of us, about the importance of cleanliness when he said, "cleanliness is half of faith."
The Quran is more specific and says, "Truly, God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves." (Quran 2:222)
Personal hygiene is desirable at all times but in Islam certain aspects of personal hygiene are not only important but also compulsory.
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. 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. Once this is accomplished, or at least greatly desired, he is able to cleanse himself from physical impurities. This is usually achieved by using water.
Prior to obligatory or voluntary prayer a person must assure that he is in a state of cleanliness, he does this by performing either wudu (often translated as ablution) or a full bath. Performing wudu includes washing the hands, rinsing the mouth and nose, washing the face, washing the arms up to the elbows, wiping the head washing the feet up to and including the ankle. This was made compulsory despite the fact that water was often scarce in Arabia at the time of Prophet Mohammed.
Apart from body, Islam requires a Muslim to keep his clothes, house and streets clean. In fact a Muslim cannot offer his prayers with unclean body, clothes or using dirty premises.
The emphasis in Islam is more on the cleanliness of the inner-self that is heart, mind and soul. The external cleaning process and rituals in reality are the preparatory ground work to obtain the more important task and that is cleanliness of the inner-self, which is the ultimate goal of the religion.
Islam requires the sincere believer to sanitize and purify his entire way of life.