What evidence shows that ritual cleanliness was important in ancient Arabian religion?

Evidence for the importance of ritual cleanliness in ancient Arabian religion is primarily found in epigraphic material and historical accounts of religious practices. Key indicators include:1

• Sanctuary Access: Sacred open-air enclosures, known as a haram, were strictly accessible only to individuals who were both unarmed and ritually clean, often requiring the wearing of specific ritual clothing.1
• Epigraphic Confessions: South Arabian texts contain explicit confessions of offenses against ritual cleanliness, demonstrating that maintaining a state of purity was a recognized religious obligation.1
• Pilgrimage Rites: During annual pilgrimages to important shrines, participants were required to undergo purification and adhere to specific behavioral codes, including the use of ritual clothing and the practice of sexual abstinence.1

These findings suggest that pre-Islamic Arabia possessed a structured code of ritual purity. While some scholars have historically attributed the development of Islamic purity laws (tahara) to later Jewish influence, the existence of this pre-Islamic epigraphic material indicates that such concepts were deeply rooted in the indigenous religious traditions of the region.1