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The Importance of Cleanliness in Hajj
Author : Dr. Safwan Odaybat
Date Added : 30-09-2024

 

 

All perfect praise be to Allah the Lord of the Worlds. May His peace and blessings be upon Prophet Mohammad and upon all his family and companions.

When we read Allah's Words (What means): "O children of Adam, take your adornment at every masjid." [Al-A'raf/31], we understand Islam's emphasis on cleanliness for the Muslim at every act of worship. The verse instructs the believer to adorn themselves before every prayer. Why before every prayer? Because prayer is a meeting between the servant and their Lord, and it is not befitting for a Muslim, who intends to meet Allah, to be negligent in their external and internal cleanliness. Furthermore, praying in the mosque is a communal gathering for the worship of Allah, so if one person neglects their body or clothing's cleanliness, they may harm others around them.

Hajj is one of the greatest acts of worship in Islam. A Muslim exerts effort in preparing themselves to perform this obligation, and they may travel from faraway places, bearing the difficulties of travel with a good spirit, hoping to reach the sacred lands. Their heart is filled with hope to perform the Tawaf around the Kaaba, the Sa’i between Safa and Marwah, to pray in the two holy mosques, stand in Arafat, stay in Mina and Muzdalifah, and throw the pebbles — all while imploring Allah for acceptance and His pleasure. However, is it befitting for such a Muslim, who strives for inner purity, to neglect their outer cleanliness?

Islam is the religion of cleanliness and purity, and Allah the Almighty loves those who purify themselves, as He Says in His Book (What means): "Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves" [Al-Baqarah/222]. Purity includes the purity of the heart, body, and environment. A Muslim's heart is pure from hatred and malice, their body is pure from dirt and impurities, and their environment is kept clean, whether in their home, mosque, or on the street — and certainly, in the holiest of places: Mecca, Medina, and the sites of Hajj, where people gather from all over the world.

Cleanliness is part of faith. It brings joy to the hearts of believers and brings ease to the spirits of Muslims. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "Cleanliness invites towards faith, and faith accompanies its companion to Paradise." [Al-Tabarani in Al-Awsat). Cleanliness is also a form of Da’wah (Inviting people to the religion of Islam), inviting the world to see: "We are the most refined of nations; look at our cleanliness during Hajj despite the millions of people." Muslims returning from Hajj share with others stories of the cleanliness of the pilgrims of the Sacred House, showing how Muslims stand out among the people. The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "You are coming to meet your brothers, so improve your gear and clothing so that you stand out like a beauty spot among people, for Allah does not like vulgarity or indecency" [Abu Dawood].

Yes: "so that you stand out like a beauty spot among people". A beauty spot is a distinct, aesthetically pleasing feature on the body. Similarly, a true Muslim is distinguished in everything — in cleanliness, in their walk, in their speech, and in their actions. This way, they stand out like a beauty spot among the people.

Once, someone criticized Abu Al-Hasan Al-Shadhili for his beautiful appearance while that person was dressed in shabby clothing. Abu Al-Hasan responded: "My appearance says 'Alhamdulillah,' while your appearance says 'Give me from your worldly possessions.'"

Let us make the Hajj season a school where we learn cleanliness in all its meanings: cleanliness of the heart, cleanliness of the body, and cleanliness of the environment. Let us be role models for others in this regard, so that the whole world may learn from us the meaning of cleanliness when they witness and hear about the cleanliness of Muslims during Hajj. This is a great door of invitation to Allah.

When we return from Hajj, we should be the cleanest of people, reflecting that cleanliness in our homes, streets, and environments. This way, we take steps towards Islamic advancement and civilizational progress. Praise be to Allah for His bounty and peace and blessings be upon the purest of all creation, our Master Muhammad, the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him.

 

The published article reflects the opinion of its author

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Summarized Fatawaa

Does vomiting during the day in Ramadan break the fast?

Intentional vomiting is one of the nullifiers of fasting; whoever vomits deliberately breaks their fast.
However, if vomiting occurs involuntarily, the fast remains valid as long as nothing returns to the body cavity (jauf). If anything is swallowed back, the fast is invalidated.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever is overcome by vomiting does not have to make up the fast, but whoever induces vomiting deliberately must make it up." [Narrated by Abu Dawood and At-Tirmidhi]

When is supplication (du‘a) more likely to be accepted: before or after breaking the fast in Ramadan?

Du‘a is accepted at all times, and this is part of Allah’s mercy and generosity toward His servants.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "No Muslim makes a supplication that does not involve sin or severing family ties except that Allah grants them one of three things: either He grants their supplication immediately, or He stores it for them in the Hereafter, or He averts from them an equivalent harm." [Narrated by Ahmad]
However, in Ramadan, du‘a is especially likely to be accepted shortly before breaking the fast.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Three supplications are never rejected: the supplication of a fasting person until they break their fast, the supplication of a just leader, and the supplication of an oppressed person. Allah raises it above the clouds, opens the gates of heaven for it, and says: ‘By My might, I will surely grant you victory, even if after a while.’" [Narrated by Al-Tirmidhi]

What is the ruling of Islamic Law regarding one who purchases a sacrificial animal (uḍḥiyah) and it then develops a defect before slaughter?

Praise be to Allah, and peace and blessings upon our master, the Messenger of Allah.
If a defect that invalidates the sacrifice (uḍḥiyah) arises after its purchase — for example, if one purchased a sound, defect-free animal, and it then developed a limp, blindness in one eye, or a similar defect before slaughter — it does not fulfill the requirement of a valid uḍḥiyah, according to the Shāfi'ī school.
It is stated in Asnā al-Maṭālib fī Sharḥ Rawḍ al-Ṭālib (Vol.1/P.535): "Even if the limp develops [in the animal] while the knife is upon it, it still does not fulfill the requirement, because it is lame at the moment of slaughter — this is analogous to a case where a sheep's leg breaks and one hastens to slaughter it [in that condition]."
The Ḥanbalī school, however, held that if the one offering the sacrifice purchased the animal while it was sound and defect-free, and a defect then befell it afterward, the sacrifice remains valid and there is no obligation to replace it.
It is stated in Masā'il al-Imām Aḥmad, one of the Ḥanbalī reference works (Vol.8/P.4021): "I said: If a person purchases the sacrificial animal while it is sound, and it is then afflicted with illness, blindness in one eye, or a broken limb [before slaughter]? He [Imam Aḥmad] said: It is said that it still fulfills the requirement. Isḥāq said likewise, because he purchased it while sound, and the defect befell it only afterward, so it remains sufficient on his behalf." [End of quote]
Accordingly, a sheep afflicted with a defect that invalidates the sacrifice does not fulfill the requirement of a valid uḍḥiyah — whether the defect arose after purchase or during the slaughter itself — according to the Shāfi'ī school. However, there is no objection to following the Ḥanbalī position on this matter [as a valid alternative]. And Allah, the Most High, knows best.

Must a woman seek her husband's permission to fast a make up fast (qada)?

● If there is ample time to make up for the missed fasts, a woman should seek her husband's permission before fasting.
● However, if the time is running out—such as when only the remaining days of Sha'ban are sufficient to complete the qada—she does not need his permission and must fast, because Allah’s command takes precedence over the husband's consent.

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