Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatu

I believe we Muslims sisters should be recognised as ladies with the at most etiquettes and modesty and for males after growing from boys should be gentlemen with visible respect and honour.   

Islam advocates etiquette and stresses it so as to perfect the Muslim personality and to bring about harmony among people. There is no doubt that embodying such manners and virtues enhances personal style and qualities, refines personality and brings us closer to the hearts and minds of others. The forthcoming manners and etiquette are central to Islam, its purposes and its aims. Calling it ‘etiquette’ by no means implies that it is marginal to life and social behaviour. Itdoes not mean Muslims have the option of ignoring this code of behaviour, or that it is merely preferable to adhere to it.

In pointing out that manners rank higher than deeds, Imam Al-Qarfi in his book Al-Furw’q said, ‘Learn that a little etiquette is better than a lot of good actions.’ Rw’aim, the righteous scholar, told his son, ‘Oh my son, make your deeds salt, and your manners flour.’ Many good manners with few good deeds are better than many good deeds with few good manners. Even if some of these rules appear to be simple common courtesy, it is important to highlight their significance. Many Muslims commit errors which blemish the Islamic personality, whose purpose is meant to be unique in its beauty, perfection and traits. Our master, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) directed the blessed companions by saying: ‘You are on your way to meet your brothers, put on a nice dress and fix your riding so you appear distinct among people as a fleck [on a beautiful face]. Allah does not like roughness nor rough manners.’

When the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘No one will enter Paradise if they have at heart a grain of arrogance.’ A man asked: ‘A man may like his dress to be nice and his shoes nice.’ The Prophet answered ‘Allah is beautiful and likes beauty. Arrogance is to deny rights and look down at people.’ Shaikh Ibn Taimia said that the beauty that Allah likes include nice clothes. Hence it could be said that Allah likes all nice things. Therefore, a Muslim ought to be recognized by neat dress, cleanliness and graceful appearance.

 CLEANLINESS AND WASHING

The Sunnah is to keep perfume and to use it regularly on oneself. Al-Bukhari narrated that Salman Al-Farsi said: the Prophet, peace be upon him, said ‘Allah will forgive the sins of the past week for he who on Friday will take a bath, cleanse himself, put on his [regular] perfume or any perfume available in house. Then, he goes out [to Jumu’ah prayer] and does not try to separate two friends. Then he prays wherever he could and listens to the Imam.’ If the body became odorous a day or two before Friday, one should not wait till Friday to cleanse the body. We should wash our bodies as soon as it require washing to keep ourselves clean and fresh.

To take a bath on Friday is specifically required since a large number of people will be gathering at mosques. However, if our body becames dirty or we sweat on a particular day, then, we should take a bath at the end of day or the next morning. This is indicated by a Hadith narrated by Al- Bukhari and Muslim that Abu Huraira said, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: ‘It is the duty of every Muslim to have a bath once every week to wash his head and body.’

VISITORS AND VISITING

If you are traveling to visit someone or if you are about to receive guests, whether those in question are your parents, relatives, peers, or friends of a different age, make sure that your hands, feet, and socks are clean, and your appearance and clothing is neat. Never neglect or underestimate the importance of your look, for that would certainly mar the pleasure of the meeting, while dulling the enjoyment of those you meet. In this regard, the Prophet directed his companions upon returning from a journey: ‘You are returning to your brethren, dress nicely, and sort out your rides so that you may become a beauty mark among people, for Allah does not like sloppiness or acting in a sloppy way.’

GIVING GIFTS

Try to bring some gifts to those receiving you, and likewise present your guests with a present. Always be prepared to reciprocate with a suitable gift. The subtle joy of seeing your beloved ones will be vividly remembered for many years. A gift, however symbolic, will greatly enhance the pleasure of such a meeting. The Prophet ( ﺻﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻠﻪ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻭﺳﻠﻢ ), as reported by Bukhary, said: ‘Exchange gifts; exchange love.’ Our Muslim predecessors used to leave their host with a present which could be as symbolic as an Arak stick.

DRESS PROPERLY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Dress properly, even among friends and relatives. Dress properly when visiting your parents, a pious person, an elder, or even a relative or a friend. Your attire should be clean and elegant, not ugly or unsightly. We are attracted or repulsed by what we see. If you look good in clean clothes, smelling nice, you will be pleasant to look at and people will be attracted to you and enjoy your presence. If you were the opposite, people will look down on you even if you were a relative or friend. To look good while visiting or being visited is an instinctive trait in addition to being an Islamic manner. Do not ignore this aspect because you consider yourself to be close to your hosts or guests. Imam Bukhari in his book, ‘Al-Adab Al Mufrad’ reported that the great follower Abi Al-Alia Al- Riahi Al-Basri said, ‘Muslims were at their best when visiting each other.’ Al-Hafez Al-Haithami in ‘Majma Al-Zawaed’ (1:169) reported that Thabet Al-Banani, the student of Imam Anas bin Malik said, ‘When I used to visit Anas, he would call for a perfume and run it along his cheeks.’

Accordingly, if you were visited at home while dressed very casually, as it sometimes happens, you should change for your visitor. This will enhance his respect for you and will complement your hospitality. It is, after all, the manners of the early Muslims. 

From the book ISLAMIC MANNERS By Shaykh Abdul-Fattaah Abu Ghuddah (May Allah have mercy in him).

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu

One of the unique acts of worship that Allah has blessed us with that He did not bless any other nation with is wudhu. it was legislated right from the beginning of Islam. And Jibreel (AS) demonstrated to the Prophet of Allah how wudhu was to be done. Just as ghusl, wudhu (a requirement before performing Salaah) is only allowed with pure and clean water that hasn’t changed in smell, taste, fluidity (thickness) and color like rain water, well water, spring, sea, river, melted snow or hail, or water from a pond. All unclean water is not allowed for the purpose of wudhu or if it’s extracted from fruits and trees, water that small quantity of something unclean has fallen into it like urine, blood, wine or some dead animal had died and fallen into it. Water that was left over after drinking by haram animals i.e dogs and pigs or animals of prey. Water that a cat drunk immediately after eating a mouse and water that has been left a person who has just drunk khamr is also unclean.

In order to perform wudhu, a Muslim must have a sound mind, having reached the age of discernment and having intention to do wudhu. Wudhu is not valid on the part of a non-believer, an insane person or anyone who does not have the intention of performing wudhu because the intention can be just cooling off, for example. And it is makroo to speak whilst while doing wudhu, this does not mean not to speak or makroo in sharee’ah sense at all but it is preferred not to do it or rather not speak unnecessarily whilst doing wudhu, it can distract the individual. But if he speaks there is no blame on it.

It is also mustahabb for one to begin the wudhu from the right, to make a masah (wipe through) of the nape of the neck, not to take assistance from anyone, face the Qibla and sit on a high and clean place. To begin you must have niyyah (intention) in your heart and not spoken allowed to do wudhu; it is Sunnah to have niyyah (I am performing wudhu with the need to get rid of my need for wudhu). The following is the procedure for a complete wudhu In Sha Allah. All these were narrated in the Sunnah of the Prophet (peace and blessing be upon him) and there is no difference between men and women in the way wudhu is done.

• Start In the Name of Allah and beginning washing the right then left hand up to the wrist three times.
• Rinse your mouth by swirling water, three times.
• Breathe in gently water through the nostrils, three times using the right hand then blow out using your left hand.
• Wash the face three times as well which includes everything from the top of the forehead to the chin, and up to your ears. A man should wash their beard since its part of the face by passing wet fingers through it.
• Wash the arms starting with the right one up to the elbow and including the hands up to the fingertips including the nails, then the left arm up to the elbow again.
• Wet your hands again and pass them from the beginning of the hairline and over the head and back to the place you started it is done once (masah). Regarding women, she can wipe either loose or braided from the front to her roots at the nape but she does not have to wipe the entire length of her hair.
• Clean the back of your ears and inside using damp hands also once. Insert the index finger in the ears, and using your (inner) thumb wipe behind the ears.
• And lastly, wash your feet starting with the right including the ankles not less. By using your hand wipe under your feet and heels and use the little finger to clean between your toes (khilal). After wash the left foot.
• It is mustahabb to say the kalmia, “Ash-hadu an laa illaha illa-Allah wahdahu laa shareeka la hu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu” (I bear witness that there is no God except Allah alone with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the Messenger of Allah). Then recite the dua for completing wudhu, “Allahuma-ja’lni min-attawwabeena waja’alni min-almutatahireena” (O Allah, make me one of those who repent and make me one of those who purify themselves.)

There are fardh (required or essential) in wudhu such as washing the face from the forehead to the lower chin and from earlobe to earlobe, washing both arms including the elbows, doing masah of the head and washing the feet including the ankles. Allah says in Al-Maidah (Q5:6) “O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salah (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbow, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles…” Sunnah parts of wudhu include, the niyyah, reciting Bismillah, washing the hands up to the wrists, brushing teeth with miswak and gargling the mouth, passing water through the nostrils, khilal of the beard, khilal of the fingers and toes, washing each part three times, masah of the ears and performance the wudhu systematically. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing be upon him) said, "On the day of resurrection, my followers will be summoned 'Al-Ghurr Al-Muhajjalun' fro the traces of wudhu. Whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so."

Ablution is nullified by urinating or long call, defecating almighty Allah says, “…or one of you comes from relieving himself,” thus proving that such an act obligates a new (purification), and releasing gas from the passing behind. Abu Huraira (RA) reported from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) saying, “Allah does not accept the prayer of a person who has released gas until he makes a new ablution.” A person asked Abu Huraira, “What does ‘releasing gas’ mean?” He answered, “Wind with or without sound.” (Bukhari and Muslim). Discharge from the genital, known as madhi either from a man (fluid) or a woman. The Prophet of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Make ablution upon noticing such discharge.” Concerning semen or mani, said ibn Abbas, “it requires ghusl and for mani and wadi (a thick white secretion discharge) after urination, wash your genital and make wudhu.” Thus especially for women it is advised to visit the washroom to check on any discharge before any salaah. When deep sleep happens and one is unaware of his surroundings. If a person does not keep his behind firmly seated on the floor while sleeping then he must make a new ablution or his backside is firmly on the ground. If his behind are kept firmly on the floor or standing then no new ablution is required. In a hadeeth of Anas, said “When the Companions of the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) were waiting for him for the late night prayer until their heads began nodding up and down, (from drowsiness or  sleeping). Then they would pray without performing ablution.” (Abu Dawood and Tirmidhi). Loss of consciousness either due to insanity or fainting or some medicine, it does not matter if it is a short or long while. When one touches their private parts. Busrah bint Safwan narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) said, “Whoever touches his sexual organ cannot pray until he performs ablution.” (Bukhari). Eating camel meat, because of the Hadeeth of Jaabir ibn Samurah who said that a man asked the Prophet, “Should we do wudhu after eating the camel meat?” He said, “Yes” (Muslim).

Acts that do not nullify wudhu include touching a woman. Aisha reported that Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) kissed her while he was fasting and said, “Kissing does not nullify the ablution, nor does it break the fast.” And the scholars believe it does not matter if the woman is a mahram or whether it was done with feelings of desire or not unless anything is emitted as a result of that touching. Bleeding, this involves as a result from cupping, nose bleeding and regardless of the quantity. Al-Hassan says, “Muslims used to pray even while wounded.” (Bukhari). Vomiting, regardless of the quantity too, there is no hadith that states it nullifies wudhu.  

The prayer of a person is not accepted till he performs wudhu and it should be perfect and thorough. I believe salaah starts with wudhu and it should be thorough as the Prophet of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) taught. If water cannot be found or is only left for domestic use like cooking and drinking, or when one is ill and cannot touch water then Tayammum becomes an alternative which does not require water. Firstly you have to spot a clean ground, recite in the Name of Allah, make niyyah, tap the ground or earth once and wipe the back of your right hand then left, then wipe your face with both hands. The same dua is recited after wudhu be recited after tayammum.

And Allah knows best.

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warhamatullah wabarakatu

In the previous article, it was about tahara and its definition, the state and in brief how to be clean in our daily lives. So what is ghusl? It refers to the full body washing required when an adult loses the state of cleanliness. It can be Waajib (obligatory) or it may be Sunnah and Mustahabb (Preferred). The scholars have described all the three cases.

The fuqaha are unanimously agreed that emission of manii (semen) is one of the things that make ghusl obligatory. The insertion of the head of the penis or a portion which is equivalent to the head into a woman’s vagina even if no ejaculation takes place, this the state of Jannabah. Secondly when one awakens to find a thin liquid or discharge (wetness) that is a likelihood that the wetness is madhi. Ibn Qudaamah said in al-Mughni, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) connected doing ghusl to seeing (the fluid) when he said: “If you see the water and if the water gushed out, then do ghusl.” The ruling does not apply otherwise. In women the same on discharge of manii (fluid emitted at the point of climax) with or without intercourse and after experiencing wet dreams needs to perform ghusl too, upon the stopping of menstruation and nifas (post-partum bleeding).

Cases in which ghusl is not required but it is mustahabb, one is every time one is going to meet people. Al-Baghawi said: it is mustahabb for the one who wants to meet people to do ghusl, clean himself and perfume himself. That includes doing ghusl during the two Eids. Al-Nawawi said in al-majmoo’ it is Sunnah for everyone according to consensus, me, women and children because it is part of adoring onself. The second case is when undergoing physical change, Al-Muhaamli who was a Shaafai faqeeh said: it is mustahabb to do ghusl every time one undergoes a physical change. For example, the fuqaha stated that it is mustahabb for one who went insane or fell unconscious to do ghusl when he recovers, and to do ghusl after cupping, after entering the hammam and so on because the ghusl will remove anything that has gotten onto the body and will restore it to a natural state. Thirdly, for some acts of worship such as doing ghusl when entering ihram. The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) did ghusl before changing into his ihram garments and the fuqaha state it is mustahabb to do ghusl for tawaaf al-ziyaarah and twaaf al-wadaa (farewell tawaaf) and on Laylat al-Qadr. Other occasions when ghusl is required when a non-believer becomes a Muslim, after washing the deceased and also on Fridays it is Sunnah.

It was narrated by Aisha (RA), whenever the Prophet took a bath after Jannabah he started by washing his hands and then performed ablution like that for the prayer. After that he would put his fingers in water and move the roots of his hair with the, and then pour three handfuls of water over his head and then pour water all over his body. (Bukhari).

Another important aspect to remember is about the water to be used; it should be pure. Water has four essential attributes: smell, color, taste and fluidity. Any pure or purified water is judged according to whether it retains these attributes or not. As a result, water is classified into two categories: Mutlaq and Muqayyad. Mutlaq water is 'natural' such as rain water, melted snow, sea water, river water, spring water and water from Zamzam well. Muqayyad is water that includes naturally muqayyad water such as water mixed with various substances such as soap, saffron, flowers or other objects that Shari'ah considers pure. Such water is considered pure until, due to being mixed with other substances, one can no longer call it water. In this case, the water is still considered pure but it cannot be used for ghusl or ablution. Therefore pure water for performing ghusl should not have any smell, color or taste other than its natural state. If it has changed then it is not permissible to use for ghusl or wudhu.

Among other hadiths, the Sunnah for performing ghusl are nine:

1. To begin with; In the Name of Allah the Most Gracious, the Most Compassionate.
2. Make the intention.
3. Wash the hands up to and include the wrist (twice or thrice).
4. Using your left hand, wash the najis off your genitals and any other part of the body before commencing the bath.
5. Perform wudhu as one does for salah.
6. After wudhu, pour water over the head thrice.
7. Then over the right shoulder,
8. And again on the left shoulder.
9. Now pour water over the body and take a full bath and rub.
   
   
   Things to note:

• All parts of the body should be rubbed well enough and ensure every inch reaches water, no portion should be left dry.
• If a woman’s hair is plaited, she is excused from loosening her hair but it is compulsory for her to wet the base of each and every hair. If one fails to do so then ghusl is not valid. And if a woman finds it difficult for water to reach her roots while plaited then she should unplait and perform ghusl as required.
• Rings or earrings should be removed to ensure that portion covered by them is not left dry.
• Ensure the navel and the ears are wet as well.

If you ever find yourself in the state were ghusl is required do not delay it.

And Allah know best.

Bismillah ir-rahman ir-rahim

Assalam alaykum warahmatullah wabarakatu

Nature loves cleanliness and abhors pollution: that’s is why this highly desirable feature of human existence- cleanliness is one of the basic tenets of the Islamic faith.

In the Holy Qur’an there are a number of verses that can shed light to the importance of cleanliness. In Surah Al-Baqarah (Q2:222), “…For God loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.” And in Surah At-Tauba (Q9:108), “… In it are men who love to be purified; and God loves those who make themselves pure.” Cleanliness has also been emphasizes on various hundreds of hadeeths of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) and in one common one, he said: “Cleanliness is half of Faith and Alhamdhulillah fills the scale, and Subhana Allah and Alhamdhulilah fill up what is between the heavens and the earth. Salah is a light, and charity is proof (of one’s faith) and endurance is a brightness and the Qur’an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves.” (Muslim). Here the prophet (peace and blessing of Allah be upon him) tells us that cleanliness is half of faith, therefore it should not be taken lightly.

The prophet advised Muslims to appear neat and tidy in private and in public. Its importance can be estimated from books of Hadith and Fiqh and there are two terms used ‘Tahara’ and ‘Nadhafah’. Tahara as we know is being free from any filth, cleanliness from impurities as is required in Islam to be observed by each Muslim and Nadhafah, neatness is a desirable attitude. In the first phase of Islam, it was common practice for Muslims to take a bath daily before Fajr prayers and thus became and should be a regular feature of our lives.

While people generally consider cleanliness desirable, Islam insists upon it and makes it an indispensable fundamental of religious life. Islam requires tahara both physically and spiritually. Physically it is required for a Muslim to clean their bodies, clothes and related environment like the house, path and community. On our bodies, we are to observe cleanliness on the private parts and wash off the impurities that come out of them; that is why we wash with water our genitals after passing urine and secretion (Hadath Asghar). And after ablution (wudhu) is done which equivalent to half a bath. In this way, a devout Muslim takes half a bath five times a day. As for a full bath (ghusl) it’s done when exposed to intercourse between married couples, after menstruation, ejaculation, puerperium among others (Hadath Akbar). While on other occasions, bathing is recommended on Friday prayers, festival days, in Hajj etc. After cleanliness of the body, our clothes should also be clean, without it our bodies aren’t hundred percent clean. As much stress as it’s laid upon body cleanliness, same goes for our clothes. In fact a Muslim cannot offer prayers with either unclean clothes or body.

Still on body cleanliness, we have fitrah- Muslim’s cleanliness obligations or hygienic practices. It was narrated by Abu Huraira (RA): Allah’s Messenger said, “Five practices are characteristics of fitrah: shaving the pubic hair, clipping the nails, depilating the hair of the armpits, cutting mustaches short and circumcision.” In another hadith reported by Aisha (RA): the Messenger of Allah said: “Ten are the acts according to fitrah; clipping of the mustache, letting the beard grow, using the tooth-stick, snuffing water in the nose, cutting the nails, washing the finger joints, plucking the hair under the armpits, shaving the pubic hair and cleaning one’s private part with water.”  The narrator said: “I have forgotten the tenth, but it may have been rinsing the mouth.” (Bukhari). We do not have any excuse not to observe cleanliness of our bodies and clothes, because clearly Allah and His Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) have stated how to keep ourselves clean on both Qur'an and Hadeeth. In Sha Allah we should exercise it. It is narrated by Abu Huraira (RA) that the prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said, “If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with siwak for every salah.” (Bukhari)

Spiritual tahara means being free from carnal desires and denotes in the Oneness of God. But because there is a lot of filth in society, before we know it all sorts of crazy things run through our minds and our hearts are occupied with concerns and desires of this worldly life. And therefore before standing before Allah in the special connection that is prayer, a person must ensure his heart is free from sin, idolatry, ill manners and other arrogance, hypocrisy and all the diseases of the hearts. And how do we do that? Through remembrance of Allah, Adhkaar. When our minds and hearts are full of dhikr, there is no room for lust, envy or jealousy. This is why Islam emphasize in more on the cleanliness of the inner-self that is the heart, mind and soul which is the ultimate goal of the religion and requires the sincere believer to sanitize and purify his way of life. Once is this accomplished it is counted free from impurities. The directives of Zakah and fasting are nothing but to purify ones wealth and soul.

Islam is a holistic religion that takes into account humankind’s need for a balance between physical, emotional and spiritual health and well-being. Personal hygiene and cleanliness both physical and spiritually keeps both the body and mind free from disease. Cleanliness is an important part of the high standards and values that are inherent in Islam. It is the pathway to health and strength and Islam wants a healthy and strong Muslim society free from infectious diseases and capable of understanding then applying Allah’s message as well as carrying it away to the whole world.

Sister, our homes serve as our Masjid, they should be clean too and brother if you see a paper, pick it up and know that your reward is with Allah. In the view of the significance of cleanliness in Islam, Muslims should have the highest standards of cleanliness and personal hygiene of all the people in the world.

And Allah knows best.