Allah says in the Quran in Surah al-Baqarah that He loves the humans who repent to Him and those who purify themselves. Additionally, Prophet Muhammad (S) said in a strongly worded Hadith that cleanliness is half of faith. This leaves no room for doubt for a Muslim. Being clean, having a good appearance, and taking care of our hygiene are all important things in Islam.

It’s important for us to realize that this has a dual meaning. Cleanliness refers to physical and inward purification. Both are important for Muslims. If we look around the world, we will see that personal hygiene is something that the whole world stresses upon. We have millions of products related to hygiene, including soaps, shampoos, toothpastes, etc.

What is missing in this world today is the spiritual and inward cleanliness. 

Islam, however, perfectly balances both. Most aspects of Islam focus on spiritual and inward cleanliness. However, Allah and the Prophet (PBUH)’s strong words regarding the importance of cleanliness and purification helps us to keep the importance of hygiene in view as well.

Just think about a person who is a leader in a community or a teacher of a group. If he shows up with a disheveled look, unclean clothes, unpleasant smell, etc., how many people will take him seriously? Being clean and having a pleasant appearance is a must as a human trait because it’s human nature to like clean things and dislike dirt and filth.

Allah always encourages Muslims to dress well and have a good appearance without being extravagant. There is nothing wrong with Muslims having good clothes and wearing them. In fact, Allah encourages it in many places in the Quran, especially for Muslims who are visiting mosques for prayer. For the Juma prayer, the Prophet (PBUH) asked us to wear good clothes, and for Eid prayer, the best clothes.

While wearing good clothes is important, they must be within Islamic guidelines. That means they should be modest and moderate, not flashy and over the top.

Allah ordered Muslims to take their adornment when they go out in public. This means having a good outward appearance, utilizing perfumes and deodorants, and practicing good hygiene to ensure that bad odors aren’t present. The Prophet (PBUH) said that Muslims should wear good clothing but without pride or being extravagant.

The Prophet (PBUH) said that a person who eats garlic or onion shouldn’t go to the mosque. This is because of the bad odor emitted by a person who eats these things, thereby once again showing the immense value Islam attaches to cleanliness.

Regularly perform wudu

Perform ghusl at least once a week

Remove pubic and armpit hair once every 40 days

Clip fingernails and toenails regularly

Trim the mustache often

Brush teeth regularly, preferably twice a day

Comb hair and beard to maintain a neat appearance

Wearing good clothes, especially to the mosque

Use perfumes and deodorants to avoid bad odors

Maintain cleanliness in and around your house

Dispose of garbage without inconveniencing people

Don’t litter the streets; promote a clean community

Encourage others to maintain cleanliness as well