Pathway to Paradise — Page 68
68 Do not drink liquor, for it is the key to every vice. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) always used his right hand for eating, drinking and putting on his clothes, and the left for purposes other than these. ISLAMIC HYGIENE The most important aspect of good hygiene is cleanliness. In accordance with the Islamic belief that the condition of the body affects the mind, physical cleanliness is essential for spiritual well - being. Allah says: “Allah desires not to put you in a difficulty: but desires to purify you and complete His favors unto you that you may prosper. ” (Holy Qur’an, 5:7) The concern here is for the purification of the mind and soul, and Islam emphasizes that external purity leads to internal purity, just as external impurity leads to internal impurity. The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) stressed the importance of cleanliness. He said: Cleanliness is half of faith. Purification is the key of prayer. When you visit your brethren tidy up your clothes and your mounts for Allah does not like dirt and untidiness. Thus if you maintain outward cleanliness, you are preparing yourself for inner purification. A pure mind in a pure body is a Muslim’s goal. Islam teaches two ways of cleaning the body, ablution and bathing: