At-Tahara (Purification And Its Kind) JSS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note

At-Tahara means purification or cleanliness in Islam. It is a very important part of a Muslim’s life. Before a Muslim can pray or touch the Quran, they must be in a state of purity. Allah loves those who keep themselves clean and pure. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Cleanliness is half of faith.” This lesson will explain what At-Tahara is, its different kinds, and how Muslims practice purification in their daily lives.

What is At-Tahara?

At-Tahara refers to the state of being pure and clean according to Islamic teachings. It includes:

1. Physical cleanliness – keeping the body, clothes, and surroundings clean
2. Spiritual cleanliness – having pure thoughts and intentions
3. Ritual purity – specific forms of washing needed for worship

The Quran mentions: “Allah loves those who purify themselves” (Quran 9:108). This shows how important purification is in Islam.

Importance of At-Tahara

For Worship

• Muslims must be in a state of purity to perform:
  1. Salah (prayer)
  2. Tawaf (walking around the Kaaba during Hajj or Umrah)
  3. Touching or reciting the Quran (according to many scholars)

For Health

• Regular washing prevents illness and disease
• Clean surroundings promote good health
• Personal hygiene makes one feel better physically

For Society

• Clean communities are healthier communities
• Cleanliness makes social interactions more pleasant
• Public cleanliness is considered a good deed in Islam

Types of Impurities in Islam

Before learning about purification, we need to understand what makes something impure in Islam:

1. Najasah (Physical Impurity)

These are substances considered physically impure that must be removed from the body, clothes, or place of prayer:

• Harmful Impurities (Najasah Haqiqiyyah):
  1. Urine and feces
  2. Blood that has flowed out of the body
  3. Vomit
  4. Alcoholic drinks
  5. Meat and products from pigs
  6. Dead animals (except fish and locusts)
  7. Dog saliva
• Minor Impurities:
  1. Some scholars consider the saliva, sweat, and milk of animals that are not permissible to eat as minor impurities

2. Hadath (Ritual Impurity)

This is a state of ritual impurity that doesn’t involve visible dirt but requires specific washing procedures:

• Minor Ritual Impurity (Hadath Asghar):
  1. After using the toilet
  2. After passing gas
  3. After deep sleep
  4. After losing consciousness
• Major Ritual Impurity (Hadath Akbar):
  1. After sexual intercourse
  2. After ejaculation
  3. After menstruation
  4. After childbirth

Kinds of Purification (At-Tahara)

1. Purification from Najasah (Physical Impurities)

This involves removing impure substances from:

• The body
• Clothing
• Place of prayer
• Any objects to be used in worship

How to Remove Najasah:

• Wash the impure area with clean water until the impurity is removed
• For some impurities, one wash is enough
• For others, three washes are recommended
• The impurity should be removed completely – its color, smell, and taste

Example:

If urine gets on clothing, the cloth must be washed thoroughly with water until the urine is completely removed.

2. Wudu (Ablution) – Purification from Minor Ritual Impurity

Wudu is a specific way of washing certain parts of the body before prayer or other acts of worship.

Steps of Wudu:

1. Niyyah (Intention) – Make the intention in your heart to perform wudu for purification
2. Tasmiyah – Say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah)
3. Wash hands – Three times up to the wrists
4. Rinse mouth – Take water into the mouth and rinse it three times
5. Rinse nose – Draw water into the nostrils and blow it out three times
6. Wash face – From forehead to chin and ear to ear, three times
7. Wash arms – From fingertips to elbows, right arm first then left, three times each
8. Wipe head – Wet hands and wipe over the head from front to back
9. Wipe ears – Using wet fingers, wipe the inside and outside of both ears
10. Wash feet – From toes to ankles, right foot first then left, three times each

When Wudu is Required:

• Before performing any prayer
• Before touching the Quran (according to many scholars)
• Before making Tawaf around the Kaaba

What Breaks Wudu:

• Using the toilet (urination or defecation)
• Passing gas
• Deep sleep
• Losing consciousness
• Touching the private parts directly (according to some scholars)
• Bleeding or vomiting (according to some schools of thought)

3. Ghusl (Full Body Bath) – Purification from Major Ritual Impurity

Ghusl is washing the entire body with water in a specific way.

When Ghusl is Required:

• After sexual intercourse
• After ejaculation (for men)
• After menstruation (for women)
• After childbirth
• Before becoming a Muslim
• After death (the community must wash the deceased)

Steps of Ghusl:

1. Niyyah (Intention) – Make the intention to perform ghusl
2. Wash hands up to the wrists
3. Wash private parts and any impurity on the body
4. Perform wudu (as described above)
5. Pour water over the head three times, making sure water reaches the roots of the hair
6. Pour water over the right side of the body
7. Pour water over the left side of the body
8. Ensure that water reaches every part of the body, including the belly button, ear canals, and between the toes

The Prophet’s Method:

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would use about a Sa’ (an old measurement, approximately 3 liters) of water for ghusl and would ensure that water reached every part of his body.

4. Tayammum (Dry Ablution) – Alternative Purification

Tayammum is a special form of purification using clean earth (soil, sand, or dust) when water is not available or cannot be used.

When Tayammum is Permitted:

• When water is not available
• When using water might harm a person due to illness
• When water is too cold and there’s no way to heat it
• When using available water would leave nothing for drinking

Steps of Tayammum:

1. Niyyah (Intention) – Make the intention to perform tayammum
2. Strike both hands lightly on clean earth (soil, sand, stone, or dust)
3. Blow on the hands to remove excess dust
4. Wipe the face with the palms
5. Wipe the right hand with the left hand up to the wrist
6. Wipe the left hand with the right hand up to the wrist

What Breaks Tayammum:

• Anything that would break wudu
• Finding water (when tayammum was done due to lack of water)
• Being able to use water (when the reason for not using water no longer exists)

Special Cases of Purification

Purification After Using the Toilet (Istinja)

• Use water to clean the private parts after using the toilet
• If water is not available, clean tissue paper or similar materials can be used
• The left hand should be used for cleaning
• Hands must be washed thoroughly afterward

Purification During Menstruation and Postnatal Bleeding

• Women are excused from prayer and fasting during menstruation and postnatal bleeding
• After bleeding stops, ghusl is required before resuming prayer and fasting
• The husband and wife should avoid sexual intercourse during this time

Purification of Clothes and Items

• If an impurity gets on clothes or items, they must be washed with water
• For some impurities, one wash is enough
• For others, it’s recommended to wash three times
• The item is considered pure when the impurity’s color, smell, and taste are removed

Etiquettes of Purification

Water for Purification

• Water must be clean and not changed in its nature
• Types of water suitable for purification:
  1. Rain water
  2. Sea water
  3. River water
  4. Well water
  5. Spring water
  6. Tap water

Conservation of Water

Even though water is essential for purification, Islam teaches us not to waste it:

• The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to perform wudu with one mudd of water (approximately 0.75 liters)
• He warned against wasting water even if performing ablution from a flowing river

Saying Dua (Supplication) After Wudu

After completing wudu, it’s recommended to say: “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu.” (I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, He has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.)

Benefits of At-Tahara

Physical Benefits

• Prevents the spread of germs and diseases
• Promotes good hygiene and health
• Keeps the body, clothes, and surroundings clean

Spiritual Benefits

• Prepares the worshipper mentally for prayer
• Reminds Muslims of the importance of inner purity
• Creates a sense of discipline and mindfulness

Social Benefits

• Creates pleasant social interactions
• Promotes public health and cleanliness
• Builds good habits that benefit the community

Conclusion

At-Tahara (purification) is a fundamental aspect of Islamic practice. It includes both physical and spiritual cleanliness. The different kinds of purification—removing najasah, performing wudu, ghusl, and tayammum—help Muslims maintain a state of purity for worship and daily life. By following these practices, Muslims fulfill an important part of their faith while also benefiting themselves and society through good hygiene and cleanliness.

Evaluation

1. What does At-Tahara mean and why is it important in Islam?
2. Explain the difference between Najasah and Hadath.
3. Describe the steps of Wudu in the correct order.
4. When is Ghusl required?
5. What is Tayammum and when is it permitted?
6. List three things that break Wudu.

Classwork

Answer the following questions:

1. What does At-Tahara mean and why is it important in Islam?
2. Explain the difference between Najasah and Hadath.
3. Describe the steps of Wudu in the correct order.
4. When is Ghusl required?
5. What is Tayammum and when is it permitted?
6. List three things that break Wudu.