Purity and cleanliness are essential components in a believer’s life. We are expected to maintain a clean and healthy lifestyle. The importance of Tahara is stressed in the following hadith of our Prophet Muhammad, in which he has mentioned, “Cleanliness is half of faith.”

We learn from this hadith that, as Muslims, we should have the highest standard of cleanliness and personal hygiene.

The Messenger of Allah said:
“Most of the torment in the grave is due to carelessness with urine.”

We should pay special attention when relieving ourselves, ensuring that no urine drops splash back and soil our bodies and clothes.

Men should carry out the act of Istibra. Istibra is the act done before Istinja (cleaning oneself with water and tissue). It is performed to ensure that there are no traces of urine left in the body that may later come out. If this act is not carried out, then it is more than likely that we are committing this sin. Many times, we may not even realise if a drop of urine comes out.

This mere drop can become a means of our prayers not being accepted and of us becoming deserving of punishment in the grave.

May Allah grant us the ability to uphold the highest standards of Tahara and keep us safe from negligence in matters that affect our faith. Ameen.