Hygiene

Call for Peace

بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

In the Name of Allah,

the Most Gracious, and the Most Merciful

Half Acre Care Home

Hygiene

‘Marton’

Assalam o Alleyykum!

[Peace be upon You]

Marton! Human being is Ashraf ul Makhluqat (the most Superior Creation) and all other creations: heavens, earth, mountains, angels have been created to serve the Human Being. Human Being is Viceroy of Allah, the Lone Entity. Allah is Nur i.e. Pure in every respect. Therefore His (SWT) Viceroy ought to be pure all the time. However, during his daily life from birth to death he becomes physically and spiritually impure. So as soon as he gets impure he ought to clean and pure himself.

Marton! To keep body and soul together he has to eat, drink, take bath or shower etc. etc. Therefore the creations e.g. meat, vegetables, fruits, water, environments, etc. etc. must be pure to keep his body pure physically and soul spiritually.

Marton! If we look with an eagle eye every creation: human being, animals, birds, seeds etc. etc. give birth to next generation. As soon as next generations are born that is either impure or polluted, so those must be cleansed. Let us understand this aspect by few examples.

Human Being

Marton!

• When child is born his body is impure. So the Guidance of Allah is to the effect that he should be, as soon as possible, given bath, shaven his head and put in pure and clean clothes. This is cleansing of his physical impurity.
  

• For spiritual cleansing, Az’zan ought to be recited in his right ear and Takbeer ought to be recited in his left ear.
  
• Now the child is pure both physically and spiritually.
  
• In short, from birth to old age, every day he becomes impure number of times e.g. passing water, releasing nature, Wadu is broken, intimating with wife or had sexual intercourse without wedlock, masturbating, wet dream, menstrual cycle, given birth to a child etc. etc. When any of the act takes place he must make Wadu or Ghusal to become pure again. Although women during the time of menstrual cycle and giving birth to a child will remain impure and are not under obligation to perform Salat but they are advised to make Wadu and take shower or bath  and keep doing Dhikr of Allah in their hearts. As soon as the menstrual cycle ends within 10 days and after 40 days, the woman who has given birth to a child, must make Ghusal.
  
• When a human being passes away, even then, his body ought to be given bath before burial as he will be in the presence of Allah to determine if he will be immune from torments in the grave. The final determination will be on the Day of Judgment whether he is live in Jan’nat or Hell. If in Hell, then how long for i.e. for a limited time or forever.
  

Animal, Birds and other Living Creatures

Marton! When next generation is born of animals, the mother cleans the child by licking by her tongue. Thereafter the owner gives regular bath himself or given bath by nature by rain.

Agriculture Products

Marton! When the seed is sown in the field then the seed is regularly watered and when crops emerge those are washed be nature through rain or the farmers spreads water over those to wash the dirt and otherwise.

Other Creations

Marton! In short, all the creations who have to serve viceroy of Allah are created or emerge pure but if become impure or polluted then those ought to be washed thoroughly before the use or consumption.

GUIDANCE OF ALLAH TO KEEP PURE AND CLEAN

Marton! As below is Ayat of the Qur’an that specify, exclusively, that Allah loves those people who remain clean and purified:

Translation Surah Al Taubah Ayats no. 108

بسم اللہ الرحمٰن الرحیم

……..In it are men who love to clean and to purify themselves. And Allah loves
those who make themselves clean and pure.

Marton! The importance and imperativeness of cleansing and purification can be assessed that Allah love them who keep themselves pure and clean.

Marton! In short, the Ahadith copied from Google as below, about Hygiene, are elaboration of this Ayat of the Qur’an:

Introduction

Health, cleanliness and hygiene occupy a great part of Islam’s attention.

While some nations abandoned self-care and cleanliness to attain high spirituality, Islam made it obligatory to clean oneself in preparation for daily prayers.

Caring for one’s hygiene is not only deemed a good habit in Islam but also rendered into rituals that constitute part of the faith itself.

As mentioned above, a Muslim is required to be clean when performing daily Prayers, which includes properly cleansing oneself after using the toilet and practicing ablution.

In some cases, a full body bath is obligatory such as after spouses’ intimacy.

Moreover, the great encouragement for cleaning teeth as shown in the Hadiths below reveals to which extent Islam was careful even for the details of personal hygiene.

That is no strange for Islam cares about the wellbeing of the human both in the world and in the hereafter. A healthy strong believer is better in the sight of Allah than a weak one as the former is more qualified to fulfil the objectives of Islam and serve the humanity.

This collection of Hadiths presents only some examples of Islam’s stance on health and hygiene:

Cleanliness is part and parcel of faith

 

Ten Ahadith

Purity Half Eman

1. Abu Malik Al-Ash`ari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said: “Purity is half of iman (faith)”.  

Tooth brushing is highly recommended

2. `A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“The miswak (a twig used for tooth brushing) cleanses and purifies the mouth and pleases the Lord.” (An-Nasa’i and Ibn Khuzaimah; authenticated by Al-Albani)

Use of Miswak

3. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“Were it not that I might overburden my followers, I would have commanded them to use the miswak before every prayer.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Five Practices in Fitrah

4. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Five practices are of the Fitrah (natural disposition): circumcision, shaving the pubic region, clipping the nails and cutting the moustaches short.” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

Blessings on Friday

5. Abu Dharr (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“Whoever takes a bath on a Friday and does it well, and purifies himself and does it well, and puts on his best clothes, and puts on whatever Allah decrees for him of the perfume of his family, then comes to the Masjid and does not engage in idle talk or separate (pushing between) two people; he will be forgiven for (his sins) between that day and the previous Friday.” (Ibn Majah and authenticated by Al-Albani)

Keep environment clean

6. Mu`adh (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet warned, “Beware of the three acts that cause you to be cursed: relieving yourselves in shaded places (that people utilize), in a walkway or in a watering place.” (Ranked sound, Hasan, by Al-Albani)

Removing Harmful Things

7. Abu Dharr Al-Ghafari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“Removing harmful things from the road is an act of charity (sadaqah).” (Authenticated by Al-Albani)

Medical Treatment

8. Usamah ibn Sharik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

I came to the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) and his Companions were sitting as (quiet as) if they had birds on their heads. I saluted and sat down.

The desert Arabs then came from here and there. They asked: Messenger of Allah, should we make use of medical treatment?

He replied: “Make use of medical treatment, for Allah has not made a disease without appointing a remedy for it, with the exception of one disease, namely old age.” (Abu Dawud and authenticated by Al-Albani)

Be Strong and Healthy

9. Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“A strong believer is better and dearer to Allah than a weak one, and both are good.

Keenly pursue what benefits you, seek help only from Allah, and do not give up.

If something befalls you, do not say, ‘If only I had done otherwise.’

Rather say, ‘Allah so determined and did as He willed,’ for ‘if only’ opens the door to Satan’s work.” (Al-Bukhari)

Overeating is not healthy

10. Al-Miqdam (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:

“No man fills a container worse than his stomach.

A few morsels that keep his back upright are sufficient for him. If he has to, then he should keep one-third for food, one-third for drink and one-third for his breathing” (Imam Ahmad and At-Tirmidhi and authenticated by Al-Albani)

Marton! In short, the extracts from Google as below, about Hygiene, are elaboration of the Qur’an and Hadith:

What is the real meaning of Hygiene?

Hygiene is the practice of keeping yourself and your surroundings clean, especially in order to prevent illness or the spread of diseases. Be extra careful about personal hygiene. Synonyms: cleanliness, sanitation, disinfection, sterility More Synonyms of hygiene

What are the 3 types of Hygiene?

• Personal hygiene.
  

• Environmental Hygiene.
  

• Domestic hygiene.
  

• Food hygiene.
  

What is Hygiene and examples?

Hygiene is any practice or activity that you do to keep things healthy and clean. Washing hands, coughing into your elbow, and regular house cleaning are all part of good hygiene. Hygieia was the Greek goddess of health, cleanliness and sanitation, so it’s not hard to see where the word hygiene comes from.

What are the 7 personal Hygiene?

• Toilet hygiene. Wash your hands after you use the restroom. …
  
• Shower hygiene. Personal preference may dictate how often you wish to shower, but most people will benefit from a rinse at least every other day. …
  

• Nail hygiene. …
  
• Teeth hygiene. …
  

• Sickness hygiene. …
  

• Hands hygiene
  

  How do you maintain Hygiene?
  

• cleaning your body every day,
  
• washing your hands with soap after going to the toilet,
  
• brushing your teeth twice a day
  

• covering your mouth and nose with a tissue (or your sleeve) when sneezing or coughing
  

• washing your hands after handling pets and other animals.
  

  What is importance of hygiene?
  

  Better hygiene leads to better health, confidence and overall growth. Good hygiene is critical for preventing the spread of infectious diseases and helping children lead long, healthy lives.
  

APPLICATION OF PRINCIPLES RULES AND REGULATION OF HYGIENE AT HALF ACRE CARE HOME RADCLIFF UK

Marton! Now let us look at that how far the principles, rules and regulations are applied at Half Acre Care Home, Radcliffe in the United Kingdom.

Marton! If we look with an Eagle Eye we will see that in this day of age the residential houses, care homes, offices etc. etc. do not adhere to Hygiene requirements those can prove healthier for the household residents, care home residents, office workers etc. etc. Moreover, multi – stories office building, council estate are being built which small rooms and ceiling height is not more than 10 feet. Similarly, developers build multi story apartments where the rooms, especially, sitting room, lounge and dining room are combined can be spacious but the bedroom, kitchen, bath etc., may not be spacious enough as those should be.

Why

?

Marton! Pure and clean environments are absolute necessity to keep healthy for human beings and also every other creation. Pure and clean environments can emerge if there is proper ‘Cross Ventilation’ e.g. high ceilings with ventilators or exhaust fans. However exhaust fans will pollute the environments to a certain extent.

Marton! In the past, may be more than 50 years ago the building were built where the height of the ceiling used to be at least 14 feet or more. In the countries where there was and is very cold the ‘Cross Ventilation, could be achieved either by installing exhaust fans near the ceiling or opening the windows up and down. The top side can be lowered down to have cross ventilation.

Marton! In the eastern and Middle Eastern countries e.g. Pakistan, India, and Saudi Arabia for cross ventilation they fix a ventilator that can be moved up and down with a string attached. Whenever, needed, in summer or winter it can be opened for cross ventilation.

Marton! Now, virtually, all over the world, the houses, care homes, office buildings etc. etc. are built where the height of the ceiling is 8 feet or may be 12 feet where arrangement for cross ventilation is not possible, especially, in the Half Acre care home, Radcliffe. The height of the ceiling of bedroom appears to be not more than 9 feet. What are the heights of ceilings of other Half Acre care homes and St Mary’s care homes that remain to be seen by the administration. Incidentally, the height of the ceiling of Temporary Residence at Falcon House in Bury appeared to be not more than 8 feet. Alhamdu’lillah! I am 6 feet tall and I could touch the ceiling.

Overview of the Half Acre Care Home Radcliffe

Marton! In the whole building, ground floor to second floor, there does not appear to be an exhaust fan. However, there is exhaust fan in my washroom but there does not appear to be an out let. In the kitchen there is extractor fan over the burners served by the Gas. Reception door is always closed. It is opened when someone has to go out or come in. The administrator’s office is a small room surrounded by hall and lounge i.e. just a glass window towards hall and other fixed glass window towards the lounge.

Bathrooms

Marton!

• there is no exhaust fan,
  

• there is no right side curtain on the railing in second floor bathroom
  
• there is no mop,
  
• there is no toilet brush,
  
• window opens only 6 inches wide,
  
• there is storage heater that is on 24 hours day and night in winter and summer in order to keep warm the towels which will be used by the residents
  
• there is no soap dish near the shower,
  
• there are no hooks to hang towel and clothes other than shower at first floor,
  

OBSERVATIONS

Marton! As below are the observations in respect of every shortcoming as above:

Cross Ventilation

Marton! When the resident takes a shower with hot water the bathroom is filled with the unseen steam. In winter the window is closed because the environments outside are cold so the steam remains within the bathroom. In summer the window is opened but the width is not enough where the steam could evaporate unless there is cross ventilation. The cross ventilation will be when the door is opened, but both sides of the corridor the Exit doors are closed. So in summer there is not enough cross ventilation in the bathroom. It will be uncomfortable and unhealthy for next resident if he comes to take shower soon after the previous resident.

Marton! The effect and impact of storage heater have been dealt with under ‘Shortcomings’.

Right Side Curtain on the Railing

Marton! The curtain on the railing is on the back side. As there is no curtain on the right side where the water is spread on right side of the floor. It is dangerous for the resident who has taken shower as he may slip. Moreover, it will be uncomfortable for the next visitor to set foot on the wet floor.

Mop

Marton! Normally Mops are placed in the shower room so that the resident can mop the floor where it will dry much earlier than if it is not moped. The mop ought to be squeezed in the bucket and thereafter the dirty water is flushed in the commode and the bucket washed by clean water so that after few minutes the shower room is ready for the next resident.

Marton! Upon the enquiry that why the mop is not in the shower room, was advised that because of the Covit 19, so that the germs will not spread. However, now the Covit 19 is nearly gone. Do you not think it is negligence on the part of management and administration?

Toilet Brush Holder

Marton! Now toilet brush causes disgust to heart and mind if the stools are left on the walls of the commode and are not flushed. It was advised that the toilet brush were removed because of the Covit 19. If stools are left alone then the domestic worker has to clean in the morning which will not be a good sight for her. Domestic worker only cleans and tidy up the bathroom once in the morning. Similarly washrooms do not have toilet brush. I use a tooth brush to clean if any of the stool is not flushed. Incidentally, there is no mop in the washroom to wipe the floor as the water spreads on the floor while making Wadu or refreshing one oneself.

Soap Dish

Marton! If there is soap dish near the shower it is easier for the resident to pick it up and put back after use.

CONCLUSION

Marton! In short, the lack of adherence to Hygiene principles, rules and regulations have led to the pollution in environments between heavens and earth and have called for Climate Change.

Marton! As below are extracts copied from Google:

What is Climate Change?

Climate change refers to long-term shifts in temperatures and weather patterns. These shifts may be natural, but since the 1800s, human activities have been the main driver of climate change, primarily due to the burning of fossil fuels (like coal, oil and gas), which produces heat-trapping gases.

Cause and Solution to Climate Change

Much of our electricity and heat is powered by coal, oil and gas. Use less energy by lowering your heating and cooling, switching to LED light bulbs and energy-efficient electric appliances, washing your laundry with cold water or hanging things to dry instead of using a dryer.

The world’s roads are clogged with vehicles, most of them burning diesel or petrol. Walking or riding
a bike instead of driving will reduce greenhouse gas emissions – and help your health and fitness. For longer distances, consider taking a train or bus. And carpool whenever possible.

Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts and seeds, and less meat and dairy, can significantly lower your environmental impact. Producing plant-based foods generally results in fewer greenhouse gas emissions and requires less energy, land and water.

Marton! The essence of the above extracts appears to be that Climate Change is caused by human activities and solution is also rests with human activities.

Marton! As it has been advised to eat fresh produces from earth to lower the effect and impact of climate change upon the environments, therefore, it is perfectly safe to assume that ‘Fast Food’, genetically modified produces i.e. inorganic produces are also the cause of climate change. To enjoy a healthy life one has to eat healthy produces and live in Hygienic Environments.

Marton! In the whole world genetically modifies foods are eaten and there is, virtually, little adherence to the hygienic principles and rules and regulations, so it is safe to assume that the residents of the Half Acre Care Home, Radcliffe are not looked after hygienically i.e. do not inhale the pure oxygen. However, the residents should have looked after themselves, otherwise they did not have to come to the Care Home.

Wass’a’lam

(May Allah Bless you)

Naseer Aziz

Principal Call for Peace