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The Importance of Cleanliness in Hajj
Author : Dr. Safwan Odaybat
Date Added : 30-09-2024

 

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

When we read Allah's Words (What means): "O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid." [Al-A'raf/31], we understand Islam's emphasis on cleanliness for the Muslim at every act of worship. The verse instructs the believer to adorn themselves before every prayer. Why before every prayer? Because prayer is a meeting between the servant and their Lord, and it is not befitting for a Muslim, who intends to meet Allah, to be negligent in their external and internal cleanliness. Furthermore, praying in the mosque is a communal gathering for the worship of Allah, so if one person neglects their body or clothing's cleanliness, they may harm others around them.

Hajj is one of the greatest acts of worship in Islam. A Muslim exerts effort in preparing themselves to perform this obligation, and they may travel from faraway places, bearing the difficulties of travel with a good spirit, hoping to reach the sacred lands. Their heart is filled with hope to perform the Tawaf around the Kaaba, the Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, to pray in the two holy mosques, stand in Arafat, stay in Mina and Muzdalifah, and throw the pebbles — all while imploring Allah for acceptance and His pleasure. However, is it befitting for such a Muslim, who strives for inner purity, to neglect their outer cleanliness?

Islam is the religion of cleanliness and purity, and Allah the Almighty loves those who purify themselves, as He Says in His Book (What means): "Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves" [Al-Baqarah/222]. Purity includes the purity of the heart, body, and environment. A Muslim's heart is pure from hatred and malice, their body is pure from dirt and impurities, and their environment is kept clean, whether in their home, mosque, or on the street — and certainly, in the holiest of places: Mecca, Medina, and the sites of Hajj, where people gather from all over the world.

Cleanliness is part of faith. It brings joy to the hearts of believers and brings ease to the spirits of Muslims. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Cleanliness invites towards faith, and faith accompanies its companion to Paradise." [Al-Tabarani in Al-Awsat). Cleanliness is also a form of Da’wah (Inviting people to the religion of Islam), inviting the world to see: "We are the most refined of nations; look at our cleanliness during Hajj despite the millions of people." Muslims returning from Hajj share with others stories of the cleanliness of the pilgrims of the Sacred House, showing how Muslims stand out among the people. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You are coming to meet your brothers, so improve your gear and clothing so that you stand out like a beauty spot among people, for Allah does not like vulgarity or indecency" [Abu Dawood].

Yes: "so that you stand out like a beauty spot among people". A beauty spot is a distinct, aesthetically pleasing feature on the body. Similarly, a true Muslim is distinguished in everything — in cleanliness, in their walk, in their speech, and in their actions. This way, they stand out like a beauty spot among the people.

Once, someone criticized Abu Al-Hasan Al-Shadhili for his beautiful appearance while that person was dressed in shabby clothing. Abu Al-Hasan responded: "My appearance says 'Alhamdulillah,' while your appearance says 'Give me from your worldly possessions.'"

Let us make the Hajj season a school where we learn cleanliness in all its meanings: cleanliness of the heart, cleanliness of the body, and cleanliness of the environment. Let us be role models for others in this regard, so that the whole world may learn from us the meaning of cleanliness when they witness and hear about the cleanliness of Muslims during Hajj. This is a great door of invitation to Allah.

When we return from Hajj, we should be the cleanest of people, reflecting that cleanliness in our homes, streets, and environments. This way, we take steps towards Islamic advancement and civilizational progress. Praise be to Allah for His bounty and peace and blessings be upon the purest of all creation, our Master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

What is the ruling on a woman who learns of her divorce or her husband's death after her *ʿiddah* has ended? And does the *ʿiddah* of a woman who abandoned mourning (*iḥdād*) for the whole period of the *ʿiddah*, or part of it, still end, even though she knew that abandoning it is forbidden?**

 

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
The waiting period of a widow who is not pregnant is four months and ten days, based on the saying of Allah Almighty (which means): “And those of you who die and leave wives behind, they shall wait concerning themselves for four months and ten days” [al-Baqarah/234]. If she is pregnant, her ʿiddah ends with the delivery of her child. The ʿiddah is calculated by lunar months and begins from the date of death.
If her ʿiddah ends before she learns of her husband’s death, or of his divorcing her, she does not observe the ʿiddah upon learning of it, because her ʿiddah has already ended.
It is stated in al-Bayān fī Madhhab al-Imām al-Shāfiʿī (Vol.11/p.41), one of the books of the Shāfiʿī school: “If a man divorces his wife, or dies while he is absent from her, her ʿiddah is from the time of the divorce or from the time of death. If she does not know of the divorce or the death until her ʿiddah period has ended, then her ʿiddah has ended. If she learns of it before the end of the ʿiddah period, she completes her ʿiddah counting from the time of the divorce or death.”
As for a woman who abandoned mourning throughout the ʿiddah while knowing that it is forbidden, she is sinful, although her ʿiddah has nonetheless ended. And Allah Almighty knows best.

What is the ruling on one who performs ablution or the ritual bath while having nail polish?

Nail polish must be removed before ablution or ritual bath so that water reaches what is beneath it, because it is a barrier that prevents water from reaching that area. This is based on the hadith narrated by Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Prophet (peace be upon him): "Whoever leaves a hair's breadth of his body unwashed from major impurity, such and such will be done to him in the Fire." (Reported by al-Bukhari). And Allah the Almighty knows best.

My husband discloses all our marital disputes to his family. What is the ruling of Islamic Law on this?

All praise is due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
It is impermissible to divulge spousal secrets or expose one another's faults, whether during the subsistence of the marriage or after its dissolution. The foundational principle governing marital relations is that it is built upon confidentiality and mutual affection. Divulging marital secrets constitutes a breach of trust and a grave sin.
 
A husband ought not to resort to his family to complain about his wife over every dispute, nor is the reverse permissible for the wife, especially when such actions lead to stirring up malice and animosity between the spouses or between their respective families.
 
Islam has enjoined the preservation of secrets in general and commanded against revealing them; safeguarding the privacy of the home holds an even greater priority. And Allah Almighty knows best.

 
Are the mother's maternal and paternal uncles, and the father's maternal and paternal uncles, considered among the unmarriageable kin (Maharim)?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon our Master, the Messenger of Allah.
 
A mother’s maternal uncle and her paternal uncle, as well as a father’s maternal uncle and his paternal uncle, are all considered among the unmarriageable kin (Maharim). And Allah the Exalted knows best.

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