Islam and Yoga 19

 Niyama the second out of 8 major division of yoga speaks about personal discipline.

It has 5 sub divisions –

Soucha, Santosha, Tapas, Swadhya and Iswara Pranidharan  

In this part we see about Soucha

Islam and Soucha

Soucha- Personal hygiene cleanliness

Contrary to the widespread misconception Islam is a religion of Cleanliness and purity

Almighty says in Holy Quran

Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves.  (2:222)

Purity is a condition for the Prayer to be regarded valid, and .

 Prayer is an act of worship which a Muslim performs at least five times throughout his daily routine.

 Islam also requires that one bathe after ejaculation or sexual intercourse, and highly encourages taking a bath before performing those types of worship which are manifest symbols of Islam, such as the Friday Prayer and the Greater and Lesser Pilgrimage to Makah.

Allah says in the Glorious Quran:

“ O you who believe! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads (with wet hands), and (wash) your feet up to the ankles.

And if you are in a state of major ritual impurity , purify yourselves (by taking a bath).

 And if you are sick or on a journey or one of you come from the answering of call of nature, or you have had contact with women, and you find no water, then go to clean earth and wipe your faces and hands with some of it.

Allah does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you and to perfect His grace upon you that you may give thanks.” (Al-Maidah :6)

Islam also encourages that one wash his hands prior and subsequent to meals. The Messenger of Islam, Muhammad said:

"Food is blessed when one washes his hands before and after it."

It encourages that one keep his mouth and teeth clean. The Messenger of Islam said:

"Had I not found it difficult for my followers, I would have ordered them to cleanse their teeth before every prayer."

It encourages that one cleanse and purify those places that may become a breeding ground for germs and filth.

 The Messenger of Islam, and Muhammad said:

"There are five acts which are from the innate nature with which Allah created humans: circumcision, removing the pubic hair, plucking the hair of the armpits, shortening the moustache, and clipping the nails."

Next to Soucha is Santosha

Islam and Santhosha

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