Islamic hygienical jurisprudence

Hygiene is a prominent topic in Islam. Islam has always placed a strong emphasis on personal hygiene. Other than the need to be ritually clean in time for the daily prayer (Arabic: Salah) through Wudu and Ghusl, there are a large number of other hygiene-related rules governing the lives of Muslims. Other issues include the Islamic dietary laws.

In general, the Qur'an advises Muslims to uphold high standards of physical hygiene and to be ritually clean whenever possible. For this reason in Muslim countries, bathrooms are always equipped with a Muslim shower situated next to the toilet, so that an individual may wash themselves. This ablution is required in order to maintain ritual cleanliness.,

Also because of ritual cleanliness, and again common to many Eastern cultures, Muslims take their shoes off when entering mosques and homes.

Islamic dietary laws

Islamic dietary laws provide a set of rules as to what Muslims eat in their diet. These rules specify the food that is halāl, meaning lawful. They are found in Qur'an, the holy book of Islam, usually detailing what is unlawful, or harām.

Personal grooming

Personal grooming is also a matter of focus in Islam. Growing a beard is accepted as Sunnah and is seen as commendable by most authorities, but is only seen as mandatory by a small minority.

Islamic cleanliness

Cleanliness is an important part of Islam, including Qur'anic verses that teach how to achieve ritual cleanliness. Keeping Oral hygiene through cleaning the teeth with the use of a form of toothbrush called miswak is considered Sunnah, the way of Prophet Muhammad. Ritual ablution is also very important, as observed by the practices of wudu (partial ablution), ghusl (full ablution), and tayammum (water-free alternative with sand).

Islamic toilet etiquette

The Islamic faith has particular rules regarding personal hygiene when going to the toilet. This code is known as Qadaahul Haajah.^[1][2]

Issues of laterality, such as whether one uses the left or right hand and the foot used to step into or out of toilet areas, are derived from hadith sources.^[3] The only issue which the Qur'an mentions is the one of washing one's hands especially following going to the toilet which is mentioned in verse 5:6.

Examples of these rules include, but are not limited to:

• It is strongly forbidden to make the toilet close to the flowing waters, or to be by a flowing water whilst relieving yourself.
• It is more preferable to step into the bathroom area with left leg and step outside the bathroom area with right leg.
• One should remain silent whilst on the toilet. Talking, answering greetings or greeting others is heavily disliked.^[1]
• One should not face nor turn one's back on Qibla whilst relieving yourself.^[1]
• When leaving the toilet one should also say a prayer, "Praise be to Allah who relieved me of the filth and gave me relief."^[1]
• Use of toilet paper is acceptable, but washing with water is still needed for purity.^[4]

See also

• Medicine in medieval Islam

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} Shu'aib, Tajuddin B.. "Qadaahul Haajah (Relieving Oneself)". The Prescribed Prayer Made Simple. Compendium of Muslim Texts. 
2. ^ Niamh Horan (April 8, 2007), Surgeons perform delicate operation for Muslims, Irish Independent, http://www.independent.ie/national-news/surgeons-perform-delicate-operation-for-muslims-124083.html 
3. ^ Sachiko Murata (1992), "ch. 3 The Two Hands of God", The Tao of Islam, ISBN 9780791409138, http://books.google.com/?id=xRqDv90bAqsC 
4. ^ Israr Hasan (2006), Muslims in America, p. 144, ISBN 9781425942434, http://books.google.com/?id=k5J493fDF38C&pg=PA144&vq=odd 

Further reading

• QaraḍāwĪ, Yūsuf, and Waseem Yaqub. Islamic Concept of Hygiene As Seen by the Sunnah. Cairo, Egypt: El-Falah Foundation, 1997. ISBN 9775813263.