Purity (Tahârah) is a beautiful word that is pleasing to the ears, and it is a quality which everyone strives to maintain. From an Islamic perspective, purity is a word which is general in its meaning. It may mean physical cleanness, which is purity (of the body) from impure substances or states of impurity, or it may mean spiritual purity, which is the purity of one’s self from vices, faults, sins, and replacing them with good deeds, whether in speech or deeds. This comprehensive meaning of purity is indicated in the words of Prophet Muhammad, (Peace and blessing be upon him) as reported by Abu Hurairah, (May Allah be pleased with him) saying:
I heard Allah's Messenger saying, "If there was a river at the door of anyone of you and he took a bath in it five times a day, would you notice any dirt on him?" They said, "Not a trace of dirt would be left." The Prophet (Peace and blessing be upon him) added, "That is the example of the five (daily compulsory) Salat (prayers) with which Allah blots out (annuls) evil deeds." [Sahih al-Bukhâri Hadith: 528]
"No Salât (Prayer) is accepted without Wudo (purification), and no charity (is accepted) that comes from Ghulâl," [Sahih Muslim Hadith: 535]
"These two persons are being tortured not for a major sin (to avoid). One of them never saved himself from being soiled with his urine, while the other used to go about with calumnies (to make enmity between friends)". The Prophet then took a green branch (of a date-palm tree), split it into two pieces and fixed one on each grave. They said, "O Allah's Messenger! Why have you done so?" He replied, "I hope that their punishment might be lessened till these (branches) become thy." [Sahih al-Bukhâri Hadith: 218]
The Messenger (Peace and blessing be upon him) used to recite the following supplication which indicates his love of purification:
“O Allâh! Praise be to You as much as that which fills the heavens and the earth and as much as You will. O Allâh! Purify me with snow, hail and cold water. O Allâh! Purify and cleanse me of sins as a white dress is cleansed of filth.” (Ahmad)
The teachings of Islam encourage and command cleanliness. As Jâbir (may Allah be pleased with Him) narrated:
“Once the Messenger of Allâh (Peace and blessing be upon him) came to us and saw a man with shaggy hair. He said, ‘Couldn’t he find something to tidy his hair up?’ Then he saw another man with dirty clothes and said, ‘Couldn’t this man find anything with which to clean his dress?’ ” [Ahmad]
Purity in the Islamic perspective is a comprehensive term, and what demonstrates this fact is that the word tahârah is mentioned in the Qur`ân in many occasions, but with various connotations:
1. Purity from sins
Allâh (Exalted is He) says in this regard:
“Take alms from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it.” [Surah at-Tawbah(9):103]
“The Prophet (Peace and blessing be upon him) prescribed Zakaat-ul-Fitr as a purification of the fasting person from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. Whoever pays it before the ‘Eid Prayer, it will be accepted as Zakaat, but if anyone pays it after the Prayer, it will be counted only as charity (Sa-daqah) like any other charity.” [Abu Dâwud]
2. Purity from idols
Allâh (Exalted is He) says in this regard:
“…purify My House (the Ka’bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (I’tikâf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer).” [Surah al-Baqarah (2):125]
3. Purity in the sense of glorification and veneration:
“Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and among the mushrikun, were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence. A Messenger (Muhammad) from Allah, reciting (the Qur`ân) purified pages.” [Surah al-Bayyinah (98):1-2]
4. Purity also means what is lawful:
“Their garments will be of fine green silk, and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink.” [Surah al-Insân(76):21]
5. Purity of the heart from things which cause suspicion:
“And when you ask (the Prophet’s wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts.” [Surah al-Ahzâb (33):53]
6. Purity from illicit sexual relations:
“And (remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the ‘Âlameen (mankind and jinns) (of her lifetime).” [Surah Âli-‘Imrân: (3)43]
7. Purity which means elevation of status:
“And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and establish the prayer (Salât), and give Zakât and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh wishes only to remove Rijs (evil deeds and sins, etc.) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification.” [Surah al-Ahzâb (33):33]
8. Purity from abominable things and filth:
“And as for those who believe and do good works, We shall make them enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow, they will abide therein for ever; there for them are purified mates (wives), and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening.” [Surah an-Nisâ´ (4):57)
9. Purity from states of impurity:
“O you who believe! When you rise up for Prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads (with wet hands), and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. And if you are in a state of major ritual impurity (janâbah), purify yourselves (by taking a bath). And if you are sick or on a journey, or one of you comes from the answering of call of nature, or you have had contact (sexual intercourse) with women, and you find no water, then go to clean earth and wipe your faces and hands with it. Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you and to perfect His grace upon you that you may give thanks.” [Surah al-Mâ`idah (5):6]
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