At-Tahārah: Cleanliness in Islam – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

At-Tahārah means cleanliness and purification in Islam. It covers our body, clothes, place, food and drink. After using the toilet, a Muslim cleans with water (Istinjā’) or with dry materials such as tissue or stones (Istijmār). Cleanliness is part of faith and is needed for prayer. It also includes a clean heart, tongue, mind and actions.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• state the meaning of At-Tahārah;
• give reasons why cleanliness is important in Islam;
• explain the difference between Istinjā’ and Istijmār;
• name ways of keeping the body, clothes, place, food and drink clean;
• recite the Du’a said before entering and after leaving the toilet.

What is At-Tahārah (الطَّهَارَة)?

At-Tahārah means cleanliness and purification in Islam.

The Arabic word comes from:

• طَهَارَة (Tahara) = To be clean, pure
• طَاهِر (Tahir) = Clean, pure

Why is cleanliness important in Islam?

1. Allah loves cleanliness

The Qur’an says: “Truly, Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean” (Qur’an 2:222)

2. Cleanliness is part of faith

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Cleanliness is half of faith” (Hadith: Muslim)

This means being clean is very important in Islam.

3. We must be clean to pray

• We cannot pray if we are not clean
• We must do Wudu (ablution) before prayer
• Our clothes must be clean
• The place we pray must be clean

4. Cleanliness brings blessings

• Allah blesses those who are clean
• Angels love clean people
• It brings peace and comfort

5. Cleanliness prevents sickness

• Being clean keeps us healthy
• It prevents diseases
• It makes us feel good

What are the two ways of cleaning after using the toilet?

The two ways are Istinjā’ (cleaning with water) and Istijmār (cleaning with dry materials).

Istinjā’ (اسْتِنْجَاء)

What is Istinjā’?

• Cleaning yourself after using the toilet
• Using water to clean
• Washing the private parts

How to do Istinjā’. After using the toilet:

1. Use water to clean yourself
2. Use your left hand (never the right hand)
3. Wash thoroughly until clean
4. Make sure no impurity remains
5. Dry with tissue or cloth

Important rules:

• Always use water (it is the best)
• Use the left hand only
• Make sure you are completely clean
• Wash hands with soap after
• Say the Du’a when leaving the toilet

Du’a after using the toilet:

Arabic: غُفْرَانَكَ
Transliteration: Ghufranaka
Meaning: “O Allah, I seek Your forgiveness”

Istijmār (اسْتِجْمَار)

What is Istijmār?

• Cleaning yourself using dry materials
• Used when water is not available
• Using stones, tissue, etc.

What can be used:

• Toilet paper or tissue (most common today)
• Stones (in the Prophet’s time)
• Any clean, dry material
• Never use bones, food, or paper with Allah’s name

How to do Istijmār:

1. Use at least 3 pieces of tissue or stone
2. Wipe from front to back
3. Make sure the area is clean
4. Use more if needed (odd numbers: 3, 5, 7)
5. Wash hands after

Rules for Istijmār:

• Use at least 3 wipes
• Use odd numbers (3, 5, 7, etc.)
• Make sure you are clean
• It is best to follow with water if possible

Which is better, Istinjā’ or Istijmār?

Istinjā’ (using water) is better than Istijmār (using tissue). The reasons are:

• Water cleans better
• It is the Sunnah
• It gives more complete purification
• It is healthier

Best practice: Use tissue first, then wash with water.

What are the other types of cleanliness?

1. Cleanliness of the body

We should:

• Bathe regularly (especially after impurity)
• Wash hands before and after eating
• Trim nails
• Clean teeth (use Miswak or a toothbrush)
• Remove unwanted hair
• Comb hair
• Use nice perfume (for men, especially for Jumu’ah)

The Prophet (SAW) taught us to:

• Bathe on Friday (Jumu’ah)
• Use Miswak (natural toothbrush)
• Apply perfume
• Wear clean clothes

2. Cleanliness of clothes

• Wear clean clothes
• Change dirty clothes
• Wash clothes regularly
• This is especially important for prayer
• No impurities (urine, faeces, blood) on clothes

3. Cleanliness of the place

• Keep the home clean
• Clean the masjid
• Clean the prayer area
• No dirt or filth where we pray

4. Cleanliness of food and drinks

• Wash fruits and vegetables
• Keep food covered
• Do not eat dirty food
• Wash dishes after eating
• Keep the kitchen clean

What is the position of cleanliness in Islam?

Cleanliness is very important for these reasons.

1. It is part of worship

• There is no prayer without being clean
• We do not touch the Qur’an without Wudu
• It is a major part of the Islamic way of life

2. It is obligatory (Fard)

• We must be clean for prayer
• We must remove impurities
• It is not optional

3. It is Sunnah

• It follows the Prophet’s way
• He was the cleanest person
• We should imitate him

4. It is good manners (Adab)

• It shows respect to others
• It makes people comfortable around you
• It reflects your faith

5. It is healthy

• It prevents diseases
• It keeps us strong
• It is good for body and mind

What makes us impure (Najasah)?

Major impurities (need Ghusl, a full bath)

1. After sexual relations (for adults)
2. After menstruation (for women)
3. After childbirth (for women)

Minor impurities (need Wudu)

1. Using the toilet (urine or faeces)
2. Passing gas
3. Deep sleep
4. Losing consciousness
5. Touching private parts

Physical impurities

• Urine
• Faeces
• Blood (in large amounts)
• Vomit (in large amounts)
• Alcohol
• Pork

How to remove impurities

• From the body: Wash with water
• From clothes: Wash with water
• From the ground: Pour water or remove the dirty part

What are the good habits of cleanliness?

Daily

• Wash hands before and after meals
• Brush teeth (or use Miswak)
• Keep nails clean and trimmed
• Wash private parts after the toilet

Weekly

• Take a full bath (Ghusl) on Friday
• Change bed sheets
• Wash clothes
• Clean the room

Monthly

• Trim nails
• Remove unwanted hair
• Deep clean the house

What are the manners of using the toilet?

Before entering

Say the Du’a:

Arabic: بِسْمِ اللهِ، اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثِ

Transliteration: Bismillah, Allahumma inni a’udhu bika minal-khubthi wal-khaba’ith

Meaning: “In the name of Allah. O Allah, I seek refuge in You from male and female devils”

Enter with the left foot.

Inside the toilet

• Do not talk
• Do not mention Allah’s name
• Do not take the Qur’an inside
• Sit down if possible (it is healthier and cleaner)
• Use the left hand for cleaning

After finishing

• Clean yourself properly (Istinjā’ or Istijmār)
• Wash hands with soap
• Exit with the right foot first
• Say “Ghufranaka”

Is cleanliness only about the body?

Cleanliness is more than the body. It also includes:

• A clean heart (no jealousy, no hatred)
• A clean tongue (no lies, no backbiting)
• A clean mind (good thoughts)
• Clean actions (good deeds)

True cleanliness is inside and outside.

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. At-Tahārah means _____ in Islam.
   • a) prayer
   • b) cleanliness
   • c) fasting
2. Istinjā’ means cleaning with _____.
   • a) water
   • b) stones only
   • c) nothing
3. Istijmār means cleaning with _____ materials.
   • a) wet
   • b) dry
   • c) dirty
4. We should use at least _____ pieces for Istijmār.
   • a) 1
   • b) 2
   • c) 3
5. The Prophet (SAW) said, “Cleanliness is _____ of faith.”
   • a) half
   • b) all
   • c) none

Assignment

1. Practise the Du’a before entering the toilet.
2. Always use water (Istinjā’) after using the toilet.
3. Keep your clothes clean for one week.
4. Help to clean your room and house.