Purity meaning in Islam goes beyond physical cleanliness; it’s a spiritual and daily practice that connects the believer to Allah. In this article, you’ll discover the true meaning of purity in Islam, its types, and why it’s essential for prayer and everyday worship.
What is ritual purity in Islam?
Purity in the Arabic language is defined as cleanliness, cleanness, and the removal of impurities, whether they are physical or spiritual.
Ritual purity in Islam can be defined as the removal or lifting of ritual impurity (hadath), physical impurity (khabath), or najasah (filth), using either water or dust, which are the two permissible purifying elements. Purity is also defined as the removal of the barrier that prevents prayer, which exists on the body.
As for hadath, it refers to a condition that affects the body or part of it, and purity is achieved by removing it from the body.
Khabath refers to impure physical substances as defined by Islamic law, and purity is achieved by removing them from the visible parts of the body.
Much evidence emphasizes the necessity of purity, including the verse of Allah:
“إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ ٢٢٢”
“Surely Allah loves those who always turn to Him in repentance and those who purify themselves.”
And the saying of the Prophet (peace be upon him)
“الطهور شطر الإيمان” ((رواه مسلم)).
Abu Malik Al-Ash’ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Purity is half of iman (faith).” [Muslim].
After understanding purity meaning in Islam, let us now move to the types of impurities.
Major Ritual Impurity
Major Ritual Impurity includes impurities that require special purification methods, such as the impurity caused by a dog.
The method of purification: if a dog licks a vessel, it must be washed seven times, the first time with dust.
This is based on the hadith:
عَنْ خِلاَسٍ، عَنْ أَبِي رَافِعٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ “ إِذَا وَلَغَ الْكَلْبُ فِي إِنَاءِ أَحَدِكُمْ فَلْيَغْسِلْهُ سَبْعَ مَرَّاتٍ أُولاَهُنَّ بِالتُّرَابِ ” .
It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: “If a dog licks the vessel of any one of you, let him wash it seven times, the first time with dust.”
Minor Ritual Impurity
Minor ritual impurity refers to impurities that can be purified with water only, such as the urine of a male infant who has not yet eaten solid food.
It can be purified by sprinkling water over the soiled area until it is covered. This is specific to the urine of a male infant; for a female infant, the urine must be washed.
Medium Ritual Impurity
Medium ritual impurity includes other impurities like human urine and feces, menstrual blood, and postpartum bleeding.
The method of purification: washing with water until the impurity is removed.
The Water That Can Be Used for Purification
The specifications of the water that can be used for purification (for washing or ablution): it must be tahur (pure and purifying), meaning its color, taste, or smell has not changed due to being mixed with another substance.
Tahur water includes rainwater, seawater, river water, spring water, melted snow and hail, and Zamzam water.
What is the Importance of Taharah in Islam?
Purity is a repeated act of worship in a Muslim’s daily life. Therefore, understanding purity meaning in Islam helps Muslims perform their acts of worship with confidence and peace of mind, while appreciating the spiritual and physical dimensions of this great act.
The importance of purity in Islam includes the following:
1. A Basic Condition for the Validity of Worship
Purity is a fundamental requirement for the validity of acts of worship, especially prayer (salah), which is not accepted without it.
This is supported by the hadith:
- وَعَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ: «لَا تُقْبَلُ صَلَاةُ بِغَيْرِ طُهُورٍ وَلَا صَدَقَةٌ مِنْ غُلُولٍ» . رَوَاهُ مُسلم
- Ibn ‘Umar reported God’s messenger as saying, “Prayer without purification is not accepted, neither is sadaqa from the profits of un faithful dealing.”
- Muslim transmitted it.
- Mishkat al-Masabih 301
2. Outward and Inward Cleanliness
Purity includes external cleanliness, such as cleaning the body, clothes, and place from impurities, and also internal cleanliness, which is the purification of the heart from shirk (associating partners with Allah), sins, and disobedience.
3. A Distinctive Trait of This Ummah
Purity is a sign of the Muslim in this world and the Hereafter. It distinguishes the Muslim Ummah from others.
4. Energizes the Body
Purification and ablution give the body vitality and activity, and remove dirt and fatigue.
5. A Weapon Against Shaytan (Satan)
Purity helps repel Shaytan and makes the believer more prepared to connect with Allah in worship.
6. Purification of the Heart
Inner purity includes cleansing the heart from shirk, hatred, and malice. It is the foundation and most important form of purity.
7. An Expiation for Sins
Wudu is an expiation for minor sins, as sins are removed with the drops of water during ablution. This is based on the following hadith:
عَن عبد الله الصنَابحِي قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسلم قَالَ: «إِذَا تَوَضَّأَ الْعَبْدُ الْمُؤْمِنُ فَمَضْمَضَ خَرَجَتِ الْخَطَايَا مِنْ فِيهِ وَإِذَا اسْتَنْثَرَ خَرَجَتِ الْخَطَايَا مِنْ أَنفه فَإِذَا غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ خَرَجَتِ الْخَطَايَا مِنْ وَجْهِهِ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ مِنْ تَحْتِ أَشْفَارِ عَيْنَيْهِ فَإِذَا غسل يَدَيْهِ خرجت الْخَطَايَا مِنْ تَحْتِ أَظْفَارِ يَدَيْهِ فَإِذَا مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ خَرَجَتِ الْخَطَايَا مِنْ رَأْسِهِ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ مِنْ أُذُنَيْهِ فَإِذَا غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ خَرَجَتِ الْخَطَايَا مِنْ رِجْلَيْهِ حَتَّى تَخْرُجَ مِنْ تَحْتِ أَظْفَارِ رِجْلَيْهِ ثُمَّ كَانَ مَشْيُهُ إِلَى الْمَسْجِدِ وَصَلَاتُهُ نَافِلَةً لَهُ» . رَوَاهُ مَالك وَالنَّسَائِيّ
‘Abdallah as-Sunabihi reported God’s messenger as saying, “When a believer performs ablution, then rinses his mouth, the sins go out from his mouth; when he snuffs up water, the sins go out from his nose; when he washes his face, the sins go out from his face so that they go out from under his eyelashes;
when he washes his hands, the sins go out from his hands so that they go out from under his fingernails; when he wipes his head, the sins go out from his head so that they go out from his ears; and when he washes his feet, the sins go out from his feet so that they go out from under his toenails. Then his walking to the mosque and his prayer will provide extra blessings for him.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, it becomes clear that purity meaning in Islam is not limited to physical cleanliness but also includes the purification of the heart and soul. Purity is an essential condition for worship and a sign of a Muslim’s faith. By understanding its types and rulings, we elevate our connection with Allah and enjoy both outward and inward purity.
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