Part 1/8: Abu Maalik al-Ash`aree رضي الله عنه reported: The M | Ilm4all

Part 1/8:

Abu Maalik al-Ash`aree رضي الله عنه reported: The Messenger of Allaah (ﷺ) said:
❝ . Cleanliness is half of Imaan (Faith)...❞
[Saheeh Muslim (223)]

This is a great Hadeeth, and it is one of the fundamental Ahaadeeth, in which the Prophet ﷺ mentioned everything that is beneficial for a Muslim in his life and the Hereafter. In it, the Prophet ﷺ tells that ❝Cleanliness is half of Faith❞, meaning: the reward of ablution leads to half the reward of Imaan (Faith). Al-Tuhoor (Purification) and it is ablution (Wudhoo, Ghusl); and as for “purity”, its origin is cleanliness and removal of impurity. Purification is to remove the impurities from the body and clothes, and to clean or wash it with water.

Scholars have differed in their understanding of the phrase: ❝Cleanliness is half of Faith❞. Some said: The Characteristic of Imaan – and it comprises of actions and statements – is that it purifies the heart, and helps in cleansing it from Shirk, Kufr, envy, etc. As for cleaning with the water (ablution, Ghusl), then it is specific to physical cleaning and purification of the body. So, by cleanliness here it is referring to the cleanliness of the inner self with Imaan, and the physical body with water. So, in this regard, Imaan and cleanliness together are half and half.

The second meaning is that by “Imaan” here it refers to al-Salaah (prayer), as in the saying of Allaah تعالى:

وَمَا كَانَ اللَّهُ لِيُضِيعَ إِيمَانَكُمْ

{And Allaah would never make your Faith (prayers) to be lost}
[Surah al-Baqarah (2): 143]

In this Aayah, Allaah تعالى referred to al-Salaah (prayer) as al-Imaan (Faith). So, with this meaning, perfecting the Wudhoo (ablution) is part of perfecting the Salaah (prayer), and Allaah تعالى does not accept al-Salaah without purification. So, with this, cleanliness is half of Faith.
[الدرر السنية]
(To be cont…)