10 Hadiths on Health and Hygiene

Health and sanitation inhabit a large share of Islam’s attention.

Although some nations evaded self-care and hygiene to achieve great devoutness, Islam made it compulsory for one to prepare themselves for daily prayers (salat) by cleanliness.

Considering one’s cleanliness is not only regarded as a virtuous practice in Islam, but also helps one attain high levels of faith too.

So, a Muslim is obligated to be purified when performing the 5 daily Prayers, this includes appropriately cleansing oneself after relieving themselves and practicing ablution (wudhu).

In some instances, a bath is obligatory such as after marital relations.

In the teachings we have learnt that there was real high encouragement for even cleaning teeth, and to the extent that it shows Islam was very careful when it came to addressing the fine details of personal hygiene.

It is a pure fact that Islam cares about the wellbeing of the human body both in this life and the hereafter. A fit, strong believer is better in the sight of Allah than a weak one, as they would be in a better position to fulfil the objectives of Islam.

We have collated some ahadith (plural of hadith) in regards to the topic in order to give you a better understand of Islam’s views on health & hygiene

Cleanliness is a key part of Islam

1. Abu Malik Al-Ash`ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Cleanliness is half of faith” (Sahih Muslim 223, Book 2)

Brushing Teeth

2. `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“The miswak (tooth-stick) cleanses and purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord.” (An-Nasa’i and Ibn Khuzaimah; authenticated by Al-Albani)

3. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“Had I not thought it would be hard on my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the Miswak (tooth-stick) before every Salat (prayer)” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Personal well-being is human nature

4. Aisha (ra) reported: The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon Him) said:

Ten are the acts according to Fitrah: clipping the moustache, letting the beard grow, using the siwak (tooth-stick), snuffing water in the nose (and then expelling it), cutting the nails, washing the finger joints, plucking the hair under the armpits, shaving the pubes and cleaning one’s private parts with water. .” (Sahih Muslim – Kitab al-Tahara)

Rituals on Friday’s (Jumuah)

5. It was narrated from Abu Dharr that the Prophet (ﷺ) said:

“Whoever takes a bath on a Friday and does it well, and purifies himself and does it well, and puts on his best clothes, and puts on whatever Allah decrees for him of the perfume of his family, then comes to the mosque and does not engage in idle talk or separate (pushing between) two people; he will be forgiven for (his sins) between that day and the previous Friday.”  (Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani)

Environmental hygiene

6. Mu`adh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet warned,

“Beware of the three acts that cause you to be cursed: relieving yourselves in public places, in a walkway or in a watering place.” (Ranked sound, hasan, by Al-Albani)

7. Abu Barzah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated: I said, “O Prophet of Allah, teach me something that will benefit me.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“Remove harmful things from the roads of the Muslims.” (Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim 261)

Utilising Medication is encouraged

8. Usamah ibn Sharik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions were sitting as (quiet as) if they had birds on their heads. I saluted and sat down.

The desert Arabs then came from here and there. They asked: Messenger of Allah, should we make use of medical treatment?

He replied: “Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age.” (Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani)

Be a healthy Believer

9. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

A strong believer is better and is more lovable to Allah than a weak believer, and there is good in everyone, (but) cherish that which gives you benefit (in the Hereafter) and seek help from Allah and do not lose heart, and if anything (in the form of trouble) comes to you, don’t say: If I had not done that, it would not have happened so and so, but say: Allah did that what He had ordained to do and your” if” opens the (gate) for the Satan.(Sahih Muslim)

Do not Overeat

10. Miqdam ibn Ma’d reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said:

 “The son of Adam cannot fill a vessel worse than his stomach, as it is enough for him to take a few bites to straighten his back. If he cannot do it, then he may fill it with a third of his food, a third of his drink, and a third of his breath.” (Imam Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani)