Let’s Talk About It: Hygiene in Islam

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Raheem

You may be wondering why I titled this post, “let’s talk about it,” for a subject that might seem quite simplistic as basic Islamic hygiene. As simple as it may be, however, I find that it is one of those topics that rarely gets actually talked about seriously, and many Muslims that I know don’t really know a whole lot about rules around purity and cleanliness.

And, as my awesome sister Chelsea mentioned in her recent guest post, this topic is especially something that converts are kept in the dark about. We always get the “triple threat” of questions as new Muslimahs: When are you going to put on hijab? When are you going to get married? What is your Muslim name?

Often we also get some comments about random obscure things that we now must give up, random cultural practises that we should adopt, or oddly invasive questions about our past personal lives. But rarely do we get someone who comes up to us and asks us, “So, what can I help you with? Is there anything you need support on?”

And if someone had asked me that question as a very new Muslimah, I would’ve said, “Yes please, explain to me proper cleaning practises in the bathroom!” Because I didn’t get it. I felt weird asking my then-fiance or some of the older ladies at the mosque, and when I finally got up the courage to ask a younger peer of mine at university all she told me was, “Well you just kind of fill up the thing with water and pour it!” Erm, OK…

The emphasis on cleanliness was one of the things that actually drew me to Islam in those early days, but it was also one of the hardest to implement in my life as a new Muslim. So today I want to outline just a few of the areas of physical cleanliness that we should be paying diligent attention to as Muslims (whether new or old), and in shaa Allah how that can impact our spiritual cleanliness as well.

Guest Post: First-Aid Kit for Reverts

Bismillah al-Rahman al-Raheem

I am so excited to have my awesome sister Chelsea back around for a guest post! In case you didn’t read her first post, Chelsea is a Certified Personal Trainer and Nutritionist specializing in Healthy Eating for Weight Loss and she also holds a degree in Psychology. She is passionate about healthy, natural living and Islamic Medicine. She wishes to inspire other women to live more natural and mindful lives for the sake of Allah.

You can find her over at her new domain, www.wellnessmuslimah.com, and of course you should go check her out on Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest!

I was so excited when Chelsea approached me about doing this post, as it is something a little different from her niche, but right up my alley! We talked about how helpful it was to have our husbands around to answer questions when we converted, but how many new Muslims to do not have this luxury. To help ease the confusion and overwhelm a new convert may be feeling, Chelsea wanted put together a kind of “first-aid kit” for reverts, and this is the result! I love how she tackles some of the tougher things like istinja, that many feel awkward asking about, and therefore never know about.

It is a bit of a long one, but it is packed full of great advice and resources, so go grab a cup of tea and dig right in!

 

Coming to Islam is one of the most beautiful things a new Muslim experiences. Finding the truth and uttering the Shahadah is a feeling so deep and so emotional it is hard to put into words. Your sins are cleared away. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala) has granted you a fresh start, a new life, a clean slate. Feelings of peace and contentment surround the air and your body feels light from the burden of sins that have been lifted.

Unfortunately, this beautiful feeling is short-lived. Not to say you won’t feel peaceful or content, of course you will. But with the acceptance of a new (and often misunderstood) faith comes a whole new lifestyle. Panic starts to kick in. “How will I tell my family and friends?” “What will they think?” Then comes the feeling of overwhelm. “There’s so much to learn, where do I begin?” “What am I supposed to wear, I don’t even own a hijab!?”

Before you lose your mind, remember this: Islam is an easy and simple religion.