How to Be a Clean Muslim

Co-authored by Idris Abdul-Zahir

Last Updated: June 14, 2025 References

Islam has many rules pertaining to cleanliness and emphasizes the importance of being clean. In the Qur'an, it says "Allah loves those who make themselves clean and pure".^{[1]
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Research source} This article will teach you how to be a clean Muslim.

1

Understand the importance of cleanliness in Islam.

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Learn about the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ beliefs on cleanliness. As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ stated, "cleanliness is half of faith."^{[2]
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- This was before microbes were discovered and bathing was forbidden/discouraged in Europe.^{[3]
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2

Trim your hair.

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Groom yourself. Growing a beard and trimming the mustache, as well as removing pubic and armpit hair, is sunnah. Shaving them is part of the sunnah too, but trimming them is fine.

3

Clean your body and teeth.

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Maintain your hygiene. It is sunnah to use the miswak to clean your teeth. Performing wudu and ghusl are also key Muslim rituals, with wudu usually being made five times a day to keep oneself pure so that they may worship Allah.^{[4]
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Idris Abdul-Zahir
Imam and Islam Expert

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- You should cut your nails once a week, preferably on Fridays.
- Not shaving your pubic or armpit hair or not cutting your nails is permissible after 15 days; however, it is disliked after 40 days.

4

Practice toilet etiquette.

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Follow proper toilet customs according to Islam. There are many rules regarding the toilet in Islam. For example, you should not relieve yourself near flowing water; you should remain silent while on the toilet; you should not face or turn your back towards the Qibla; and you should enter the bathroom with the left leg and leave with the right.
- Before entering the toilet, say Allahumma innee aAAoothu bika minal-khubthi wal-khaba-ith (meaning "O Allah. I seek refuge in You from the male or female evil and Jinns")
- After leaving the toilet, say "Ghufranak" (meaning "I ask You (Allah) for forgiveness." — meaning for any sins performed while your body used the energy of food and drink, the remains thereof later converted to waste excreted.)
- For cleanliness, it is best to perform one of the following (ranked in the order of importance): wash with water (and optionally, soap after defecating), then tissue or stones.^{[5]
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  - One should wipe thrice.

5

Maintain clean surroundings.

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Keep the environment clean. Cleanliness does not only mean keeping yourself clean, but also making sure your surroundings are clean. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "Removing harmful things from the road is an act of charity",^{[7]
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- For example, picking up litter from the street is one way you can keep the environment clean.
- Sort your waste properly. Recycle recyclables and make use of either your city's composting system (if it has one), or compost yourself if you can.

6

Eat healthy and exercise.

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Keep your body fit and healthy. This doesn't relate to hygiene, but rather staying fit and healthy. Don't harm your body by feeding yourself junk. The Prophet said, "A human being has not filled any vessel worse than [his] stomach. A few bites are sufficient to support his back. If it is inevitable (i.e. eating a lot because he likes eating), then a third for food, a third for drink, and third for his breath."^{[9]
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- Using medicine is also encouraged, as it is narrated that the Prophet said, "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."^{[11]
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  Research source} We should make sure that we keep ourselves healthy and that we do not destroy our insides by having poor lifestyles.

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How do I ask Allah for help?

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Just pray with all your heart. If it is something you can achieve by yourself, work hard AND pray at the same time.

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How can I balance my work, study, exercise, family and Islam?

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Make the time for what's important and be efficient. It's not always easy to balance all your life obligations, but try to set aside a few minutes here and there to do what is within your means. Don't worry about being perfect.

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Can I just trim my pubic hair instead of shaving it?

Ali1989.

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You can use a hair trimmer like a hair-cutting machine without any comb. Just the plain blade works great. Using a shaver or a razor can cause skin irritation.

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