Taharah al-Najasat (Physical Purification)

Islam attaches great importance to physical hygiene. The Prophet Muhammad (saw) described cleanliness as the key to the salah that a Muslim must perform at least five times a day. (Sunan Abu Davud, Taharah 31) Just as we have seen in the case of ritual purification, this hadith emphasizes the necessity of physical purification of the body, clothes and place of worship from matters deemed unclean religiously –such as blood, pig meat, urine, feces etc. – for salah.  One should be cautious, as there is a warning of a punishment for Muslims who do not protect themselves of splashing urine. (Sahih al-Bukhari, al-Jana’iz, 81; Sahih Muslim, Taharah, 111)

Water is the first preferred cleaning medium recommended by Prophet Muhammad (saw) for the cleaning of the body, clothes and the place where salah will be performed. Allah (swt) says in surah at-Tawbah verse 108 “…A mosque (Quba Mosque) founded on taqwa (abstaining from Allah’s disobedience) from the first day is more worthy for you to pray in. Within it are men who love to purify themselves;  and Allah loves those who purify themselves.”  While explaining this verse, the Messenger of Allah (saw) pointed out that the Ansar community mentioned were praised for being cleaned with water and asked them to continue this behavior. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Taharah, 28)Prophet Muhammad (saw) also tried to be cleaned with water when He was able to provide it, and He encouraged His companions in this regard. (Sunan Ibn Majah, Taharah, 28; Jami’ at-Tirmidhi, Taharah, 15) 

As an example for Muslims in all aspects and stages of life, Prophet Muhammad (saw) thought us the etiquettes of personal hygiene: to supplicate when we enter the toilet   “Allahumma Inni a’udhu bika min al-khubthi wal khaba'ith” (O Allah (swt), I seek protection in you from all filth and dirt), to clean ourselves with the left hand and not to disturb others while answering the call of nature. (Sahih al-Bukhari, Da’awat, 15; Sahih Muslim, Taharah, 57)