BY: T. SHOBALINI

Why is being clean as a person physically very important? What good does it do for you? These are frequently asked questions by those who are sloppy in not only their cleanliness and hygiene but their entire outlook and appearances are shabby.

In medieval England, the legendary preacher John Wesley used to go around the country telling the English people that “cleanliness is second only to godliness” and many people were enlightened and made aware of the importance of being clean.

It does not matter what religion or faith you follow, all these practices teach us it is beneficial and useful to be physically clean at all times and Islam, for example, teaches the ummah on “the purifying properties of water.”

Whatever faith you profess, whether Islam, Christianity, Hinduism or Buddhism, it is a common fact among all religions that their followers must strive to be physically clean so as to be presentable to others and not offend others.

Oral hygiene, body odour of all kinds, expelling wind and gas in public, not washing hands, the lack of personal grooming, all add up to make a person unsightly and a turn off to be with and this is why it is important to take note of our appearance.

By paying attention daily, taking daily baths and showers, ironing and dry cleaning our clothes, putting on fresh garments are all essential in presenting an image of health, wellness and wellbeing to others which is important.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher