Page 318 - Wisdom and Sound Advice from the Torah
P. 318

WISDOM AND SOUND ADVICE FROM THE TORAH




                    Tell all the skilled men to whom I have given wisdom in such
                    matters that they are to make garments for Aaron, for his conse-
                    cration, so he may serve Me as priest. These are the garments
                    they are to make: a breast piece, an ephod, a robe, a woven tu-
                    nic, a turban and a sash. They are to make these sacred garments
                    for your brother Aaron and his sons, so they may serve Me as
                    priests. Have them use gold, and blue, purple and scarlet yarn,
                    and fine linen. (Exodus, 28:3-5)



                       The Importance Attached to Cleanliness
                                  According to the Torah

                       They wove two jackets for the blessed one (the Prophet
                       Muhammad [may God bless him and grant him peace]), and

                       these he wore only for the daily prayer. He would encour-
                       age and command his community to be clean.  13

                       When we, the Ahl al-Bayt, wish to sleep we abide by ten
                       things: To be clean... 14
                       It is reported by the son of Omar ibn Hattab that, "I never
                       saw a more generous, braver and cleaner person than the Mes-
                       senger of God (may God bless him and grant him peace)." 15

                       The Messenger of God (may God bless him and grant him
                       peace) said: "Islam is clean and unsullied. You, too, must be
                       clean, clean yourselves, because the clean enter Paradise." 16



                    And the Lord said to Moses, "Go to the people and consecrate
                    them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes." (Ex-
                    odus, 19:10)


                    After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he conse-
                    crated them, and they washed their clothes. (Exodus, 19:14)





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