The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: Cleanliness is half of faith and al-Hamdu Lillah (all praise and gratitude is for Allah alone) fills the scale, and Subhan Allah (Glory be to Allah) and al-Hamdu Lillah fill up what is between the heavens and the earth, and prayer is a light, and charity is proof (of one's faith) and endurance is a brightness and the Holy Qur'an is a proof on your behalf or against you. All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves, thereby setting themselves free or destroying themselves.
The Book of Purification - Sahih Muslim 223
This noble hadith from the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) contains profound wisdom regarding the foundations of faith and spiritual conduct, as recorded in Sahih Muslim.
The Excellence of Purification
"Cleanliness is half of faith" refers to both physical purity (taharah) through ablution and bathing, and spiritual purity through avoiding sins. The scholars explain that faith consists of both words and deeds, and purification enables the performance of acts of worship like prayer, thus constituting half of its practical requirements.
The Weight of Praise and Glorification
"Al-Hamdu Lillah fills the scale" indicates the immense reward of gratitude to Allah. The scale refers to the scales of good deeds on Judgment Day. "Subhan Allah and al-Hamdu Lillah fill what is between heavens and earth" demonstrates how these simple yet profound remembrances encompass creation in their spiritual magnitude.
Pillars of Spiritual Life
"Prayer is a light" - it illuminates the heart with faith and guides one's path in this world and the hereafter. "Charity is proof" - it testifies to the sincerity of one's faith. "Endurance is a brightness" - patience in adversity shines as a radiant quality in the believer's character.
The Quran as Witness
"The Holy Quran is a proof on your behalf or against you" - it will intercede for those who followed its guidance, but testify against those who neglected its commandments. This emphasizes our responsibility toward Allah's revelation.
The Daily Transaction
"All men go out early in the morning and sell themselves" - each day, people either devote themselves to Allah's obedience, thereby attaining freedom from sin, or to disobedience, leading to their spiritual destruction. This serves as a powerful reminder of our daily spiritual choices.