| Arabic | طهارة |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | ta-HAA-rah |
| Etymology | From Arabic طهارة (taharah), derived from the root ط-ه-ر (ta-ha-ra, 'to be pure/clean'). Related words include tahir (pure), mutahhir (purifying), and tathhir (purification). |
Tahaarah(طهارة) Ritual purity and cleanliness in Islamic law. It is an essential prerequisite for certain acts of worship, achieved through specific purification methods including wudu, ghusl, or tayammum.
طهارة
Tahaarah is the first chapter in virtually every book of Islamic jurisprudence, reflecting its foundational importance. The Prophet Muhammad said: 'Cleanliness is half of faith' (Sahih Muslim). Tahaarah has two dimensions: physical cleanliness (removing impurities — najasah — from the body, clothing, and prayer space) and ritual purification (achieving a state of purity through wudu or ghusl). Minor ritual impurity (hadath asghar) — broken by sleep, using the restroom, or passing wind — requires wudu. Major ritual impurity (hadath akbar) — resulting from sexual intercourse, ejaculation, or menstruation — requires ghusl. When water is unavailable or its use is harmful, tayammum (dry ablution with clean earth) substitutes for both. For pilgrims, tahaarah is especially important: tawaf requires wudu according to the majority of scholars, and ghusl is sunnah before entering ihram.
From Arabic طهارة (taharah), derived from the root ط-ه-ر (ta-ha-ra, 'to be pure/clean'). Related words include tahir (pure), mutahhir (purifying), and tathhir (purification).
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