Children and Cleanliness
Fictional Story: As soon as Zaynab and Rayhan entered the house, Mother became worried seeing their condition. There was mud on Rayhan’s clothes, hands, feet, and face, whilst there were juice stains on Zaynab’s clothes.
Mother asked: “What state have you two got yourselves into?”
Rayhan replied fearfully: “Mother! My hands, face, and clothes got dirty whilst playing in the school playground.”
Zaynab said: “I drank juice during the break, and some of it spilled onto my clothes.”
Mother said: “Go. Both of you, take a bath first and change your clothes, then come to me.”
When Zaynab and Rayhan returned after changing their clothes, Mother sat them down next to her and, explaining in an affectionate manner, said: “Look children! It is very important to stay clean and tidy, because people also like clean children and love them, whereas they do not consider dirty children good. Staying clean is also essential for health, whereas dirt is a cause of illness; therefore, we should take great care of our cleanliness.”
Rayhan asked: “Mother! In which things should we ensure cleanliness?”
Mother said: “You will have to take care of this in many things, such as:
1. Wash your hands and rinse your mouth before eating, and wash and clean your hands and mouth (i.e., lips) after eating as well.
2. Whilst eating food and other items, take care that your hands, mouth, and clothes do not get dirty, and also protect the place where you are eating from getting dirty.
3. If your hands or mouth get dirty whilst eating something, do not dirty your clothes by wiping on them; rather, wash your hands and mouth and dry them with a towel.
4. Make a habit of cleaning your teeth twice a day (morning and evening with a miswāk).
5. Keep your school bag clean; if mud or dirt gets on it, clean it off.
6. Take special care of the cleanliness of your books and notebooks; do not draw unnecessary lines or scribble colours on them, and do not close them carelessly causing their pages to fold. Instead, close them properly and place them in your bag in such a way that their binding does not break.
7. Keep your school uniform clean as well and do not let stains get on it; similarly, keep your shoes clean too.
8. Keep your room and the items inside it, such as the cupboard, study table, chair, etc., clean.
9. Do not spread litter in the house.
10. Protect your clothes, hands, and feet etc. from getting dirty whilst playing.”
Hearing this, both made an intention: “Mother! In the future, we will take great care of our cleanliness and will not give you a chance to complain. اِنْ شَــآءَالـلّٰـه”
Comments