Ablution - Cleansing of the Body and Spirit

Islamic Purification Rituals Before Performing Prayer

Jul 20, 2009

Muslims around the world perform various acts of washing in order to prepare themselves for salat (prayer). Islam requires a clean mind and body before worship.

There are three types of ablution (purification) rituals in which Muslims perform before making salat (prayer). Wudu is a partial washing. Ghusl is a full body ablution. Tayammun is a dry cleansing.

None of these forms of ablution are considered acceptable if there is no intention made by saying, "In the name of God, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful" in Arabic.

Salat/Salah - Five Required Daily Prayers

In 1997, the world Almanac reported there being 1.1 billion Muslims on Earth. Whether a born Muslim or a convert, one must adhere to the five pillars of Islam, one of those pillars being salat, obligatory prayer observed at five fixed times a day.

In the Holy Qur'an, Muslims are told, "Salah at fixed times has been enjoined on the believers." ( 4:103)

Before a Muslim can offer their salat, they must be in a state of purification. The Qur'an says, "Surely Allah loves those who turn to Him and those who care for cleanliness." (2:222)

Ghulam Sawar states in his 1994 4th Edition of ISLAM: Beliefs and Teachings, "You can be clean outwardly and still not be pure - it is especially important to remove all traces of urine or excrement from the clothes worn for Salah." (p. 44)

Wudu, A Washing of Only Certain Body Parts

Wudu is essential before offering any of the obligatory prayers. This is done in 9 steps:

Muslims do not have to re-make their wudu five times a day if they do not break their purification. This particular form of ablution can be preformed anywhere where there is clean water asnd does not necessitate a large quantity of water. At most mosques/masjids there is a wudu station that looks like a bench with a faucet and basin in front. However, wudu can be done at a sink, bathtub, or just with 1 cup of water, as the Prophet Muhammad had done on occasion, as not to waste water.

According to Sawar, acts that would break the purification are: going to the bathroom, passing gas, blood or pus flow from any part of the body, vomiting, and falling asleep.

Ghusl, A Full Body Washing

Ghusl is a full body washing that can be preformed in the bath or shower. It is preformed by washing the hands and face, then the genitals, and then performing wudu as descibed above. Islamicity.com describes ghusl as, “Major ablution of the whole body with water required to regain purity after menstruation, lochia and sexual intercourse. (Source: Taha Publication)” Ghusl is also performed by converts to Islam, soon after they make their declaration of faith, also know as the shahada. The shahada purifies the spirit, and the ghusl purifies the body.

Tayammun, A Dry Ablution

Tayammun is done by placing hands on the earth or any object with dust like a wall or rock and blowing the dust off, then doing the same with face and arms. Ghulam Suwar continues on ablution, describing the conditions in which a Muslim would perform tayammun, “a. You are sick and cannot use water, b. water is not available, c. the use of water is harmful.” (p. 48)

Prayer is an Essential Part of Islam

Prayer is a central part of Islam. The cleansing rituals might seem exaggerated or excessive to people who are not used to such intense preparation for prayer, but Muslims do not believe their prayers will be accepted if they are not in a state a cleanliness. Ablution and Salah go hand-in-hand in Islam; you can not do one without doing the other.

Wudu, Tayammun, and Ghusl only have to be performed when offering an obligatory salat. Muslims are permitted to make a personal prayer, du’a, at any time or place, no matter their state of cleanliness.

Every religion has their way of worshipping/speaking to God. For Muslim women and men, it is done through salat and du’a.

The copyright of the article Ablution - Cleansing of the Body and Spirit in Islamic Practices is owned by Krisheena Irwin. Permission to republish Ablution - Cleansing of the Body and Spirit in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.