Ablution (Wudû’) Ablution is called at-tahârah as-sughrâ or minor purification, and it consists of washing some organs and rubbing (water) over some other organs. “Washing” refers to the process of making water flow over the specified organs, and it becomes legally sufficient even if some drops of it drip from the washed organ. It is not a stipulation that a great deal of water should be poured; rather, it is legally detestable. On the other hand, “rubbing” is to pass one’s wet hand over one’s head, without repeating this action, unlike “washing” as it is an act of the Sunnah that one washes the specified organ three times. The Wisdom behind Ablution The wisdom behind ablution is to clean certain organs of the body and keep them purified. This is because Islam is a religion of purity and cleanliness and a Muslim who washes his organs five times everyday protects himself from many diseases and keeps his body healthy and sound and his soul fresh and lively. Moreover, ablution is a means for having one’s sins forgiven, as narrated in the authentic hadîth which reads that once the Prophet (PBUH) said, “(What) do you think: if one of you has a river at his door and he washes himself in it five times everyday, will any of his dirt remain?” The listeners answered, “None of his dirt will remain?” He (PBUH) said, “This resembles the Five (obligatory) Prayers: Allah takes away sins with them.”[1] Besides this, ablution will be a light for the believer on the Day of Resurrection and with this light the Prophet (PBUH) will recognize his followers on that Day, as he (PBUH) told his Companions. That was when he passed by the inhabitants of Al-Baqî` (i.e., the dead Muslims at that place) and greeted them saying, “Peace be upon you, (O the inhabitations of) the residence of believing people! We, Allah willing, will catch up with (i.e., follow) you. I wish we (could) see our brothers!” Those who were with him asked, “Are we not your brothers, O Messenger of Allah?” He replied, “You are my Companions, and (by) our brothers (I mean) those who have not come (to the world) yet.” They asked, “And how do you recognize your brothers, O Messenger of Allah?” He (PBUH) said, “They will come on the Day of Resurrection with (bright) signs on their faces and hands because of ablution.”[2] How truthful are the words of Allah: ] يَوْمَ تَرَى المُؤْمِنِينَ وَالْمُؤْمِنَاتِ يَسْعَى نُورُهُم بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَبِأَيْمَانِهِم[ [On the Day you shall see the believing men and the believing women their light running forward before them and by their right hands…] (Qur’ân: 57: 12) And how great is Islam, the religion of cleanliness and purification! [1] Narrated by Muslim. [2] Narrated by Muslim. Source: Simplified Islamic Jurisprudence, Vol. 1.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 09:23:18 +0000
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