Islam and Spiritual and Physical Purity

Islam is a religion of both spiritual and physical purity together, and this is among its most prominent
characteristics and distinguishing features.
Purity in Islam is not merely physical cleanliness; rather, it is an act of worship and an authentic faith-based
value.
While we find contemporary religions that do not require physical purity for the performance of worship—an
example of this is Christianity, as Christian law today does not require ablution or ritual bathing for any of the
limbs (such as the hands, face, and feet) before performing prayer, due to the separation between worship and
purity and the absence of binding practical legislations—we find that:
purity in Islam is comprehensive, balanced, obligatory, and closely connected to worship.
Islam has combined inner purity with outward purity, as in the saying of Allah the Exalted:

“Indeed, Allah loves those who repent and loves those who purify themselves.”
(Surat al-Baqarah, 2:222)

Purity in Islam is divided into two categories:

First: Spiritual (inner) purity:

It is based on pure monotheism devoted solely to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He), sincerity in worship to
Him (Exalted and Glorified), purification of the soul from polytheism, ostentation, hatred, and injustice, and
from all sins and corrupt morals, and cleansing the heart through repentance, remembrance, and righteous
deeds.

Second: Physical (sensory) purity:

Islam has legislated ablution, ritual bathing, and the removal of impurity, and has made this a condition for the
validity of prayer. It has also encouraged cleanliness of the body, clothing, and place, even in the finest details.

It is narrated from ʿAbdullah ibn Masʿūd, from the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), that he said:

“He will not enter Paradise who has in his heart the weight of a mustard seed of arrogance.”

A man said: A man likes his clothes to be nice and his sandals to be nice.

He (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Indeed, Allah is Beautiful and loves beauty…”

[Reported by Muslim]

Islam and Spiritual and Physical Purity