Is it haram to be untidy or unclean?
Fatwa No: 491752

Question

Is it haram to be untidy or unclean? Whatif it bothers your parents and what about cleaning the clothes that are used for haram or have images on them should i do so if my parents order me? What about cleaning after siblings etc when told or not

Answer

All perfect praise be to Allah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and that Muhammad, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, is His slave and Messenger.

Shari`ah (Islamic law) enjoins and encourages cleanliness, and urges Muslims to have good appearance and take care of their clothes and the like. It was reported in Musnad of Ahmad and Sunan of Abu Dawood that the Prophet, sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam, said: “You are returning to your brothers, so set your saddles and clothes in order so that you look tidy and graceful…” Uncleanliness and untidiness are not Haram (prohibited), but if they lead to causing harm to parents, this is considered disobedience to them.

This matter is clearly beneficial, so one should not neglect cleanliness and tidiness or disobey their parents concerning them, especially as some scholars hold the opinion that parents should be obeyed in everything as long as it does not entail disobedience to Allah or harm to the child.

We do not understand what you mean by a garment used in unlawful acts. However, if the garment has images of animate beings, then this is a controversial matter among scholars, as some of them hold the opinion that it is permissible to wear this garment, based on the fact that these images are handled disrespectfully. Other scholars hold the opinion that it is forbidden to wear this garment, as these images are placed to be respected and glorified and not to be disrespected.

We hold the opinion that it is forbidden to wear it; accordingly, it is not permissible to help in wearing it by cleaning or in any similar way. Parents should not be obeyed in this regard, but a person should make an excuse to them politely.

The last part of the question: “What about cleaning after the mess left by siblings….etc.” is not clear to us.

Allah knows best.

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