The most important and expressive symbol of spirituality is cleanliness. And so, the Quran, in agreement with other spiritual schools, introduces any kind of immorality[1], carelessness[2], stubbornness[3], and even preparing the means to commit certain acts[4] which harm our moral and rational life, as pollutions which darken our heart and hinder the path to elevating to higher levels of humanity.
The Quran has oriented the purpose of its teachings for achievement of greater cleanliness. Thus, we notice that this book expresses its goal as increasing purity. This is reflected in not only for the rulings related to cleaning, but even for matters such as receiving alms and financial duties[5], etiquette for chaste and honourable socialising with the opposite gender[6], respecting an individual’s right of choice in marriage[7], and the manner of conversing with religious leaders[8].
The compassionate God, whose infinite mercy encompasses everything[9], is eager for more people to benefit from His special mercy[10]. And so, He calls His servants to perform ablution such as ‘wudhu’ (a cleansing ritual) and ‘ghusl’ (bathing of full body) before prayer[11]. God graciously explains that there is no intention to trouble anyone, but rather to only purify them[12] so that they can benefit from more blessings.
The secret for emphasizing purity during prayer and the cleanliness of the area[13], is to draw attention to this important point. Since, our cleanliness on the outside can be a prelude and symbol for the purification of our inner self. Therefore, in all spiritual laws, the necessity of removing the contamination of clothes and body before commencing prayer and washing all or parts of our organs have been emphasized under the title of ‘wudhu’ or ‘ghusl’.
Of course, these acts of ablution are more than an apparent washing of the outer-self. They are acts of worship, performed with a sincere intention and in accordance with God’s command to create effects within our hearts, beyond the cleanliness of simply the hands, face, and body[14]. Therefore, in emergency situations, when ‘tayammum’ becomes the obligatory in place of ‘wudhu’ and ‘ghusl’, one can achieve the same purity as with water by wiping their hands on clean soil[15].
For ablution (‘wudhu’), we should wash our face and hands up to the elbows[16] and then wipe our head and feet with the water remaining on our hands[17]. Although Muslims differ in their understanding of the instructions of the Quran about washing or wiping their feet during ablution, if instead of reciting by the method of ‘Hafs’ (which we have no proof of its superiority), we read «أرجلکم» according to the recitation of most of the narrators of the Quran, there will be no uncertainty about simply wiping the feet.
In a situation where a person is ‘junub’ (impure), they should perform ‘ghusl’ instead of ‘wudhu’[18]. This means that they should wash or immerse their whole body in water. For this purpose, it is necessary to make sure, just as during ‘wudhu’, that the washing place is clean. Then, with the intention of worship and attaining purity, one should pour clean water on the head and neck, followed by the rest of the body. Indeed, it is favourable to wash the right side of the body before the left side.
However, if one is limited with their access to water or its use[19], then it is enough to perform the rituals of purification before prayer, using clean soil. And in this case, ‘tayammum’ replaces ‘wudhu’ or ‘ghusl’. For this purpose, the palms of both hands should be touched on the ground (soil) with the intention of gaining proximity to God. And after shaking off the (excess) remains, one should apply the soil (by wiping) from the top of the forehead to the face and then from the top of the wrist to the back of the hands.
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Islamic Library: Introduction to Islam
[1] . Quran 33: 33:
إِنَّمَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيُذْهِبَ عَنكُمُ الرِّجْسَ أَهْلَ الْبَيْتِ وَيُطَهِّرَكُمْ تَطْهِيرًا
Verily Allah intends but to keep off from you uncleanliness, o you the people of the house, and purify you with a thorough purification.
[2] . Quran 10: 100:
وَيَجْعَلُ الرِّجْسَ عَلَى الَّذِينَ لَا يَعْقِلُونَ
Allah appoints uncleanness on those who do not use their intellect.
[3] . Quran 7: 71:
قَالَ قَدْ وَقَعَ عَلَيْكُم مِّن رَّبِّكُمْ رِجْسٌ وَغَضَبٌ أَتُجَادِلُونَنِي فِي أَسْمَاءٍ سَمَّيْتُمُوهَا أَنتُمْ وَآبَاؤُكُم مَّا نَزَّلَ اللَّهُ بِهَا مِن سُلْطَانٍ
He said: “Certainly a wickedness and wrath has befallen you from your Lord. Do you dispute with me about names which you and your fathers have names, for which Allah has not sent any proof and authority for their validity?
[4] . Quran 5: 90:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِنَّمَا الْخَمْرُ وَالْمَيْسِرُ وَالْأَنصَابُ وَالْأَزْلَامُ رِجْسٌ مِّنْ عَمَلِ الشَّيْطَانِ فَاجْتَنِبُوهُ لَعَلَّكُمْ تُفْلِحُونَ
O you who have Faith! Verily wine, gambling, idols and (dividing) by arrows are an abomination of Satan’s work, so avoid it, that you may reach salvation.
[5] . Quran 9: 103:
خُذْ مِنْ أَمْوَالِهِمْ صَدَقَةً تُطَهِّرُهُمْ وَتُزَكِّيهِم بِهَا
Take alms from their possessions to cleanse them and to give them purification and elevation.
[6] . Quran 33: 53:
وَإِذَا سَأَلْتُمُوهُنَّ مَتَاعًا فَاسْأَلُوهُنَّ مِن وَرَاءِ حِجَابٍ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَطْهَرُ لِقُلُوبِكُمْ وَقُلُوبِهِنَّ
And when you needed anything from them, ask them from behind a curtain. This is purer for your hearts and for their hearts.
[7] . Quran 2: 232:
وَإِذَا طَلَّقْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَبَلَغْنَ أَجَلَهُنَّ فَلَا تَعْضُلُوهُنَّ أَن يَنكِحْنَ أَزْوَاجَهُنَّ إِذَا تَرَاضَوْا بَيْنَهُم بِالْمَعْرُوفِ ذَٰلِكَ يُوعَظُ بِهِ مَن كَانَ مِنكُمْ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ ذَٰلِكُمْ أَزْكَىٰ لَكُمْ وَأَطْهَرُ وَاللَّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
And when you divorce women, and they have reached their waiting period, do not prevent them from marrying their husbands, only until they agree themselves in a fair manner, do not place them in a difficult situation by preventing their marriage. This is a point for whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day. That is more virtuous and purer for you, aiding your elevation and growth. And surely Allah knows, and you do not.
[8] . Quran 58: 12:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا نَاجَيْتُمُ الرَّسُولَ فَقَدِّمُوا بَيْنَ يَدَيْ نَجْوَاكُمْ صَدَقَةً ذَٰلِكَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ وَأَطْهَرُ فَإِن لَّمْ تَجِدُوا فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ غَفُورٌ رَّحِيمٌ
O you who believe. When you intend to hold confidential talks with the Messenger, spend something in charity before your private counsel. That will be better and purer for you. But if you fail to afford it, then indeed, Allah is Oft-Forgiving, Most Gracious.
[9] . Quran 7: 156:
وَرَحْمَتِي وَسِعَتْ كُلَّ شَيْءٍ
And my mercy embraces all things.
[10] . Quran 45: 30:
فَأَمَّا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا وَعَمِلُوا الصَّالِحَاتِ فَيُدْخِلُهُمْ رَبُّهُمْ فِي رَحْمَتِهِ ذَٰلِكَ هُوَ الْفَوْزُ الْمُبِينُ
Then as for those who believed and did righteous good deeds, their lord shall admit them to His Mercy. That shall be the evident deliverance.
[11] . Quran 5: 6:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ
O you who have faith. When you stand up for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe a part of your heads and your feet up to the ankles.
[12] . Quran 5: 6:
مَا يُرِيدُ اللَّهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُم مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَلَٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهُ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُونَ
Allah does not intend to put on you any difficulty, but He intends to purify you, and to complete His favour upon you, so that you might be thankful.
[13] . Quran 2: 125:
وَعَهِدْنَا إِلَىٰ إِبْرَاهِيمَ وَإِسْمَاعِيلَ أَن طَهِّرَا بَيْتِيَ لِلطَّائِفِينَ وَالْعَاكِفِينَ وَالرُّكَّعِ السُّجُودِ
And we enjoined upon Abraham and Ismail, saying: ‘Purify My House for those who go around it, for those who abide in it and pay devotion, and to those who bow down and prostrate themselves’.
[14] . Quran 5: 41:
أُولَٰئِكَ الَّذِينَ لَمْ يُرِدِ اللَّهُ أَن يُطَهِّرَ قُلُوبَهُمْ
They are those whose hearts Allah does not desire to purify.
[15] . Quran 5: 6:
وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ
And if you are sick or on a journey, or one of you comes from the privy, or you have been close relation with women (intercourse), and you cannot find water, then betake yourselves to clean soil and wipe a part of your faces and your hands with of it.
[16] . Quran 5: 6:
يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ
O you who have faith. When you stand up for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows.
[17] . Quran 5: 6:
وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ
And wipe a part of your heads and your feet up to the ankles.
[18] . Quran 5: 6:
وَإِن كُنتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوا
And if you are impure, then purify yourself.
[19] . Quran 5: 6:
وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرْضَىٰ أَوْ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوْ جَاءَ أَحَدٌ مِّنكُم مِّنَ الْغَائِطِ أَوْ لَامَسْتُمُ النِّسَاءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوا مَاءً فَتَيَمَّمُوا صَعِيدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوا بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُم مِّنْهُ
And if you are sick or on a journey, or one of you comes from the privy, or you have been close relation with women (intercourse), and you cannot find water, then betake yourselves to clean soil and wipe a part of your faces and your hands with of it.