blessings upon His slaves.^[1] You should change your condition so that your friend is not saddened by your state.”^[2]

Pure People are beloved to Allah

Dear Islamic brothers, just as the above-mentioned account teaches us to help the poor and needy whenever we can, it also teaches us to keep ourselves clean and pure. Just as Islam has granted us honour and purity from the filth of shirk by granting us the wealth of faith, it also commands us to maintain our honour by remaining clean in our appearance. This includes the purity of our bodies, clothes, appearance, our conduct and our homes. In short, Islam teaches and encourages us to maintain cleanliness and excellence in every matter. It is stated in the 2^nd juzz, in verse 222 of Surah al-Baqarah:

اِنَّ اللّٰہَ یُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِیۡنَ  وَ یُحِبُّ الۡمُتَطَہِّرِیۡنَ (۲۲۲)

Translation from Kanz al-Īmān: “Indeed, Allah loves those who repent abundantly and loves those who purify themselves.”^[3]

Sayyidatuna ‘Aisha Siddiqah رَضِیَ اللہُ عَنْہا narrates that the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “Indeed, Islam is a pure religion, so you should attain cleanliness, because only those who remain pure will enter Paradise.”^[4]

Sayyiduna Sahl bin Hanzala رَضِىَ الـلّٰـهُ عَـنْهُ reports that the beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم said, “Keep your attire clean and look after your animals. Your outward appearance should be clean, such that people respect you when you meet them.”^[5]