View source for Ritual purity in Islam

{{short description|Essential aspect of Islam}}
{{About|[[hygiene in Islam]]|the Jewish Taharah ritual preparation for burial|Bereavement in Judaism#Preparing the body — Taharah|the Jewish laws of purification|Tumah and taharah}}

{{Fiqh|hygiene}}
'''Purity''' ({{langx|ar|طهارة|ṭahārah}})<ref>The same term ''taharah'' [[tumah and taharah|is also found in Hebrew]], applying to purity in Ancient Israel and modern Judaism also.</ref> is an essential aspect of [[Islam]]. It is the opposite of [[najis|''najāsa'']], the state of being ritually impure. It is achieved by first removing physical impurities (for example, urine) from the body, and then removing ritual impurity through ''[[wudu]]'' (usually) or ''[[ghusl]]''.

== In the Quran==
The [[Quran]] says: {{cite quran|9|108|quote=In it there are men who love to observe purity and Allah loves those who maintain purity.}} and there is one verse which concerned with ''taharah'' or purity, and impurity of humans: {{cite quran|9|28|quote=O you who have believed, indeed the polytheists are unclean, so let them not approach al-Masjid al-Haram after this, their [final] year. And if you fear privation, Allah will enrich you from His bounty if He wills. Indeed, Allah is knowing and wise.}}

== Shia views ==

Ayatollah [[Ali al-Sistani]] does not believe in the impurity of [[People of the Book]] (Jews, Christians, and [[Zoroastrians]]).<ref>[https://www.sistani.org/english/book/46/2029/ Sistani's official website]: "The Ahlul Kitab (that is, the Jews, the Christians and the Zoroastrians) are ritually pure (tahir) as long as you do not know that they have become ritually impure (najis) by coming into contact with an impure object. You can follow this ruling when dealing with them."</ref> 

Some scholars such as [[Mohsen Fayz Kashani]] (d. 1680) and [[Sulayman ibn Abdullah Mahuzi]] (d. 1708) did not believe in the impurity of non-believers, and particularly non-People of the Book. Kashani believes that the impurity of kuffar is spiritual and internal, so there is no need to wash after touching them. This group believes in the purity of non-Muslims and of all humans. [[Mohammad Ebrahim Jannaati]], [[Mohammad Hussein Fadlallah]] (d. 2010), [[Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad]], [[Kamal al-Haydari|Kamal Haydari]], and [[Reza Hosseini Nassab]] are part of this group.<ref>{{cite journal |first=Aaron |last=Varricchio |title=The Purity of Non-Muslims in Shi'a Jurisprudence |journal=Journal of Shi'a Islamic Studies |volume=3 |number=2 |date=2010 |pages=170–174}}</ref>

Ayatollah [[Ruhollah Khomeini]] said that all non-Muslims, including People of the Book, are impure.<ref>https://khc.qcc.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Land-Of-Shahs_UA.pdf: "the belief in the impurity of Jews was officially reiterated by the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini when, in regard to the status of Ahl-e ketab (People of the Book—i.e. Jews and Christians) and the issue of purity, he declared that 'non- Muslims of any religion or creed are najes'"</ref>

==Sunni views==
[[Sunni Islam]] has its own hygienical jurisprudence. It is preferable for a Sunni Muslim to remove the hair directly below the navel and under the arms also as trimming the nails once a week. Leaving hair and nails is permissible after 15 days and disliked after 40 days.<ref>{{cite web |title=Hadith - The Book of Purification - Sahih Muslim - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) |website=www.sunnah.com |url=https://www.sunnah.com/urn/204970 |access-date=2018-01-08}}</ref> The best day for removing needless hair and cutting nails is Friday. It is permissible to use shaving cream to remove needless hair. Needless hair and nails should be buried to prevent illnesses from spreading. Cutting [[eyebrow]]s is permissible if they are too long. Sunni women should put their nails and hair removed from below the navel, and under the arms in a place where no [[Mahram|non-permissible men]] can see it.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sunnah of Trimming Hair / Nails - ZIKR |website=www.zikr.co.uk |url=http://www.zikr.co.uk/content/view/69/110/ |access-date=2015-11-17}}</ref>

[[Personal grooming]] is also a matter of focus in Islam, and comprises all the ritual purity practices of prophets known as [[fitra]]. Allowing a [[Beard#Islam|beard]] to grow while trimming the moustache is emphasized with it being seen as [[Fard|mandatory]] by some respected Sunni scholars from [[Madhhab|the 4 major Sunni schools of jurisprudence]].

==Hygienical jurisprudence==
'''Islamic hygienical jurisprudence''' includes a number of regulations involving cleanliness during [[Salah|''salat'']] (obligatory prayer) through ''[[wudu]]'' (partial ablution) and ''[[ghusl]]'' (full ablution), as well as [[Islamic dietary laws|dietary laws]] and [[Islamic toilet etiquette|toilet etiquette]] for [[Islam|Muslims]]. The ''fiqh'' (Islamic jurisprudence) is based on admonitions in the [[Quran]] for Muslims to be ritually clean whenever possible,{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} as well as in ''[[hadith]]'' literature (words, actions, or habits of the Islamic prophet [[Muhammad]]).

Cleanliness is an important part of Islam, including Quranic verses that teach how to achieve [[Ritual purification|ritual cleanliness]].{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}} Keeping [[oral hygiene]] through cleaning the teeth with the use of a form of toothbrush called [[miswak]] is considered [[sunnah]], the way of Muhammad. Ritual [[Ritual purification|ablution]] is also very important, as observed by the practices of ''wudu'', ''ghusl'', and ''[[tayammum]]'' (water-free alternative using any natural surface such as rock, sand, or dust).{{Citation needed|date=May 2021}}

In [[Muslim world|Muslim-majority countries]], bathrooms are often equipped with a [[bidet]]. This [[Ritual purification|ablution]] is required in order to maintain ritual cleanliness. The common Muslims practice of taking off shoes when entering [[mosque]]s and homes is also based on ritual cleanliness.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sedgwick |first=Mark |title=Islam & Muslims: a Guide to Diverse Experience in a Modern World |date=7 March 2006 |publisher=Nicholas Brealey Publishing |isbn=9781941176085}}</ref>

==Hygienical practices==

===Dietary laws===
{{Main|Islamic dietary laws}}
Islamic dietary laws provide a set of rules as to what Muslims eat in their diet. These rules specify the food that is [[Halal|halāl]], meaning lawful. They are found in the Quran, usually detailing what is unlawful, or [[Haram|harām]].<ref>{{cite news |title=What is Halal? A Guide for Non-Muslims {{!}} Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) |work=Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) |url=http://www.icv.org.au/about/about-islam-overview/what-is-halal-a-guide-for-non-muslims/ |access-date=2018-01-08}}</ref>

===Genital hygiene===
Removal of [[pubic hair]] and [[armpit hair]] is prescribed by the ''sunnah'', and is listed among the ritual purity practices known as ''[[fitra]]''.

Urine is forbidden to be on a Muslim during prayer times, as it is considered impure. The [[foreskin]] is a possible spot where urine and other impurities ([[smegma]]) can accumulate. [[Khitan (circumcision)|Circumcision]] is used to prevent this.<ref>{{cite web |date=13 August 2009 |title=Islam: Circumcision of boys |work=Religion & ethics—Islam |publisher=BBC |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/islam/islamethics/malecircumcision.shtml |access-date=25 February 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Hadith - The Book of Purification - Sahih Muslim - Sunnah.com - Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم) |website=sunnah.com |url=https://sunnah.com/muslim/2/65 |access-date=2018-01-08}}</ref>

===Toilet etiquette===
{{Main|Islamic toilet etiquette}}
The [[Islam]]ic faith has particular rules regarding personal [[hygiene]] when going to the [[toilet]]. This code is known as ''Qaḍāʾ al-Ḥājah'' ({{lang|ar| قضاء الحاجة}}).<ref name="MSA">{{cite web |last=Shu'aib |first=Tajuddin B. |title=Qadaahul Haajah (Relieving Oneself) |work=The Prescribed Prayer Made Simple |publisher=Compendium of Muslim Texts |url=http://www.iman.co.nz/ed/prescribed/pp1_2.html}}</ref><ref name=IT>{{cite news |last=Horan |first=Niamh |date=April 8, 2007 |title=Surgeons perform delicate operation for Muslims |publisher=[[Irish Independent]] |url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/surgeons-perform-delicate-operation-for-muslims-124083.html}}</ref>

Issues of laterality, such as whether one uses the left or right hand and the foot used to step into or out of toilet areas, are derived from [[hadith]] sources.<ref>{{cite book |last=Murata |first=Sachiko |year=1992 |title=The Tao of Islam |isbn=978-0-7914-0913-8 |chapter=ch. 3 The Two Hands of God |publisher=SUNY Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xRqDv90bAqsC}}</ref> The only issue which the [[Qur'an]] mentions is the one of washing one's hands especially after using the toilet which is mentioned in [[Quran 5:6]].

Examples of these rules include, but are not limited to:

* It is strongly discouraged to relieve oneself into still water.
* It is preferable to step into the bathroom with the left foot and step outside the bathroom with the right foot.
* One should remain silent whilst on the toilet. Talking, answering greetings or greeting others is disliked.<ref name="MSA"/>
* One should not face nor turn one's back on [[Qibla]] (the direction Muslims face to pray) whilst relieving oneself.<ref name="MSA"/>
* When leaving the toilet one should say, "O Allah! Bestow your forgiveness upon me."<ref name="MSA"/>
* Use of [[toilet paper]] is acceptable, but [[Anal cleansing|washing with water]] is still needed for purity and to minimize germs present in feces from touching the skin.<ref>{{cite book |last=Hasan |first=Israr |year=2006 |title=Muslims in America |isbn=978-1-4259-4243-4 |page=144 |publisher=AuthorHouse |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=k5J493fDF38C&q=odd&pg=PA144}}</ref>

===Sexual hygiene===
{{Main|Islamic sexual hygienical jurisprudence}}
Sexual hygiene in Islam is a prominent topic in [[Islam]]ic jurisprudence (''[[fiqh]]'') due to its everyday nature. {{presentScholar|Ibn Abidin|13th|Hanafi}} explains:<ref>[[Radd al-Muhtar ala al-Dur al-Mukhtar]] [http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1477&CATE=3] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070310192035/http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=1477&CATE=3|date=2007-03-10}}</ref>	
<blockquote>When there is discharge of thick, cloudy white fluid (wady) (that exits before or after urinating) or unlustful discharge of thin, sticky, white fluid (madhy) caused by play or kissing, it requires washing the private parts and [[wudu]].</blockquote>	
Regarding things that necessitates ghusl:
#sperm or female ejaculate that leaves its place of origin with desire [f: whether actual or effective], even if it exits the body without desire, even if without sexual intercourse;
#the head of the penis entering either private part of a living human being who is fit for sexual intercourse, even without any release of sexual fluids…”<ref>{{cite web |title=Wet dreams: is wudu enough or must ghusl be performed? |url=http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=2125&CATE=129 |access-date=2019-01-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929094200/http://qa.sunnipath.com/issue_view.asp?HD=1&ID=2125&CATE=129 |archive-date=2007-09-29}}</ref>
After partaking in sexual activity where penetration or ejaculation occurs, both men and women are required to complete a full-body ritual [[Ablution in Islam|ablution]] known as ''[[ghusl]]'' in order to re-establish ritual purity before prayer.<ref>{{cite book |last=Ali |first=Kecia |year=2006 |title=Sexual Ethics and Islam: feminist reflections on Qur'an, hadith, and jurisprudence |publisher=Oneworld |location=Oxford}}</ref> ''Ghusl'' requires clean, odorless water that has not been used for a previous ritual and begins with the declaration of the intention of purity and worship.<ref name="Esposito">{{cite web |last=Esposito |first=John |title=Oxford Islamic Studies Online |publisher=Oxford University Press |url=http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t243/e4 |access-date=3 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161114153249/http://www.oxfordislamicstudies.com/article/opr/t243/e4 |archive-date=14 November 2016}}</ref> A Muslim performing complete ablution then washes every part of his or her body.<ref name="Esposito"/>

== See also ==
{{columns-list|
* [[Al-Baqara 255]]
* [[Etiquette]]
* [[Ghusl]]
* [[Hygiene in Christianity]]
* [[Istinja]]
* [[Junub]]
* [[Medicine in medieval Islam]]
* [[Najis|Najasah]]
* [[Tahir]]
* [[Tayammum]]
* [[Wudu]]
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* QaraḍāwĪ, Yūsuf, and Waseem Yaqub. ''Islamic Concept of Hygiene as Seen by the Sunnah''. Cairo, Egypt: El-Falah Foundation, 1997. {{ISBN|977-5813-26-3}}.

==External links==
*{{Commonscatinline|Ritual purity in Islam}}
*[http://www.religiousrules.com/Islampurity00table.htm Laws of Islam concerning ritual purity]

{{Islamic prayer}}
{{Islam topics |Law |state=collapsed}}

[[Category:Ritual purity in Islam| ]]
[[Category:Islamic terminology]]
[[Category:Islamic theology]]
[[Category:Ismaili theology]]