ABLUTIONS

Ritual cleansing. Ghusl (complete bath) is for major defilements like sexual intercourse, while wudu for lesser defilements like urination or sleep. After stating intentions (niya/niat) to do ablutions, a Muslim says, "Bismillahi arrahmani ar-rahimi," washes hands 3 times, rinses mouth, sniffs water into nostrils and expels it, washes face, arms to elbows. Rub his wet hand through hair, touch his ears, wash his feet. Sand and dust can be used if water is not available, excess is beaten off after striking dust, and goes through the motion of washing. (See Sahih Bukhari 1.142, Sahih Bukhari 1.185, Sahih Bukhari 1.186, Sahih Bukhari 1.190, Sahih Bukhari 1.191, Sahih Bukhari 1.198, etc). The Shi`ite method is simpler as given in the Qur'an.

- circumstances requiring, an-Nisa' 4:43

- for Salat (prayer),
al-Ma'idah 5:6 says to wash face, hands up to elbow, lightly rub heads and feet up to ankles, if unclean, purification is required. The current practice is more complicated as given above.

- ghusl on Friday,

- compulsory for mature Muslim, Sahih Bukhari 1.817, Sahih Bukhari 2.2, Sahih Bukhari 2.3, Sahih Bukhari 2.4, Sahih Bukhari 2.5, Sahih Bukhari 2.6, Sahih Bukhari 2.19, Sahih Bukhari 2.20, Sahih Bukhari 2.42

- sins forgiven between two Fridays, Sahih Bukhari 2.8, Sahih Bukhari 2.33

- number of times for washing body parts,

- once, Sahih Bukhari 1.159

- twice, Sahih Bukhari 1.160
* QN: so which is it? Or did one cancel the other? Why?

- procedures for ~, al-Ma'idah 5:6

- old practice of ~ when there is intercourse,
same as required for ordinary prayer, Sahih Bukhari 1.179, Sahih Bukhari 1.180, Sahih Bukhari 1.291.
This order was supposedly abrogated and taking a bath became necessary for such cases.
*QN: Why?

Go Back to Main Index