Physical Purification

The Prophet ﷺ identified five acts of fitrah: circumcision, shaving pubic hair, trimming the moustache, plucking armpit hair, and cutting the nails. These should be maintained at least once every forty days.

The miswak is a teeth-cleaning twig from the arak tree. The Prophet ﷺ said "Were it not that I would burden my ummah, I would have commanded them to use the miswak before every prayer." Modern studies confirm its antibacterial properties.

Strike clean earth with both hands and wipe your face once. Then strike again and wipe both forearms to the elbows. Tayammum replaces both wudu and ghusl when water is unavailable or would cause harm.

Yes, washing hands before and after eating is a confirmed Sunnah. The Prophet ﷺ also taught eating with the right hand and saying Bismillah. Islam established comprehensive hygiene etiquette over 1,400 years ago.