The religion Islam promotes virtue and grace, emphasizes the importance of moral purity, and insists that people keep their hearts and bodies pure from sin. This too is a fundamental part of our physical and spiritual makeup. An example might be the act of washing dirt off the bottom of a garment, or repentance is like trying to remove the rust that sin has developed in one's heart.

In Surah al-Baqarah, the Quran emphasizes the significance of cleanliness, highlighting the advantages of Taharah in Islam. Allah favors people who continually seek forgiveness and sanctify themselves.

In light of this verse, it is clear that Allah values and promotes both physical and spiritual cleanliness. The Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said, "Cleanliness is half the faith". (Sahih Muslim)

Therefore, since purity is considered the half of faith, we Muslims must be mindful of the Types Of Taharah and familiar with the spiritual and bodily cleanliness standards established by our religion, as well as the many forms of Tahara.

Types Of Taharah In Islam

Arabic for "purity," Taharah is a term that comes up often in discussions on Fiqh. This phrase appears often in the Islamic legal science of Fiqh, which establishes the standards by which a person's life might be improved or ruined in this world and the next. Here, we'll break down Taharah into two sections:

1. Physical Purification 

2. Spiritual Purification.

What is Physical Purification (Tahara)?

Practicing physical taharah represents keeping one's body, clothing, and nearby surroundings free of anything deemed Najs, or impure, by one's faith. Truly, Allah's prophet said, "Prayer is the road to heaven, and purity is the key to prayer." (Mishkat al-Masabih 294)

When we study the Types Of Taharah, we come to understand that we must meet specific standards of purity before we may enter Allah's presence and have our devotion approved.

What does Najasah mean?

Substances such as blood, urine, menstruation, and Nifas (post-natal or post-menstrual bleeding) from females. 

  • One's privates are the ultimate source of all bodily fluids.
  • All animals' blood, as well as the urine and saliva of those not fit for human consumption.
  • Cannibalized animal flesh and rawhide.
  • Bristles from a pig, leather, and pig meat.
  • Alcoholic beverages, or khamr.

Najasah-based Purification

To cleanse oneself of Najasah, one may use water or another cleansing agent to remove any religiously prohibited substances from one's body, clothing, or prayer space.

Many methods exist to rid oneself of Najasah, but water cleansing is the primary one. When all traces of filth, including odor and color, have been gone after washing with water, we say that the clothes are clean. Also, further cleaning is unnecessary.

Various Forms of Water for Taharah

The waters are classified as either natural or unnatural, as well as either still or flowing based on their fluidity.

1. Water that is 100% pure, or Mutlaq

Najs items are purified by these waters, which have retained their original flavor, aroma, and color. The water from a spring, well, the sea, snow, or the air are all examples.

2. Water that has been merged, or Mudhaf

Pure ingredients like rose water, apple juice, or any other natural substance are used to create mudhaf water. These fluids may be used for Najasah purification but not Hadath purification since they are only purified in the absence of regular, clean water.

3. Locked, Unmoving Water

If any dirt gets into the water that has been sitting there for a while, it loses its purifying properties and is no longer regarded as a cleaner.

4. Continually Moving Water

Streaming water is deemed clean if it retains its original color, odor, and flavor after being exposed to various levels of pollution.

Types Of Taharah

Purifying The Hadath

Among the Types Of Taharah second one is spiritual, as we discussed above. There are two types of Tahara in the natural universe, the Najashi Tahara and the Hadathi Tahara. Time to get some advice on cleansing from Hadath!

Tahara of Hadath is of two types:

  • The Minor Hadath (excluding wudu).
  • Major Hadath (May happen because of menstruation and Nifas).

After performing Wudhu, Ghusl, or Tayammum with Niyyah on the water of sufficient purity, these individuals are considered clean. 

Techniques For Taharah

Let's get into the specifics of each of the three purification techniques and how they're carried out.

1. Wudu

As a form of worship, ablution is significant for physical and spiritual purity. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, "Pay close attention! Do you want me to tell you about the things Allah does to rectify your situation and raise you in status? Making wudu correctly and completely despite the challenges it presents, traveling to the mosque from afar, and waiting for the next prayer after one has been offered" (Nasai)

In simple terms, proper washing means doing the following actions in the specified order:

  • Washing hands.
  • Cleansing nose with water.
  • Washing the face.
  • Washing the point where the elbows meet the arms.
  • Washing portion of the head including the neck.
  • Washing the feet including the heels.

2. Ghusl

It consists of rinsing out every part of your body until there is nothing dry to touch. There are three stages to it:

  • Taking a mouthful of water.
  • Taking a deep nasal water inhalation.
  • cleaning oneself thoroughly

3. Tayammum

When water is unavailable or cannot be utilized for whatever reason, this sort of ablution may be performed using sand or another earthy item to remove impurities caused by small and significant Hadath. Tayammum is an intention, therefore set your intention before you say "Bismillah (in the Name of Allah)."

  • Pick up the dry sand of the earth, and strike the palms of both hands with dust or sand. 
  • If there is any excess sand or dust, shake it off or blow it away.
  • Wipe your face off with your hands.
  • If you want to avoid spreading germs, it's best to switch hands and wipe the back of your right hand with your left palm.

Spiritual Tahara

Tahara has two types, the second of which is spiritual. What we wear on our bodies represents who we are on the inside, and vice versa. The filth that tarnishes the soul's clothing is not mud or dust, but rather Kufr, Shirk, crimes, and all forms of haram.

Water won't help you get rid of these stains on your soul; only repentance can accomplish it. If you want to hear some good news, it's this: Allah says, "Successful truly are those who cleanse themselves, remember the name of their Lord, and pray." (Quran 87:14)

Types Of Taharah

Conclusion

Having discussed the many forms of Tahara, we can conclude that taharah is highly valued in Islam and has many positive outcomes.

  • It's an event that will ultimately bring people to adore Allah.
  • Its definition as "half of faith" is crucial.
  • Since this is a prerequisite for worship to be approved.
  • Here, we provide a high-level overview of the many Islamic purifying rituals, known as Tahara. 

If you want to discover where the boundaries of our faith lie in this area, our Fiqh of Worship Course is what you need. Want to Learn Quran Online in USA? We now offer specialized Islamic Studies for both Children and adults. The course is designed to help young Muslims actively incorporate Islamic principles into their daily lives via the study of Sharia, Aqeedah, Seerah, and more!

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