Let’s See What Quran Says about Cleanliness and Ablutions ?
Cleanliness and Ablution in Quran is mentioned in these verses 4:43; 5:6 (SURA NO:VERSE NO)
I was recently reading Holy Quran English Translation, In this post am going to cover about what Quran says about Cleanliness and Ablutions.
What does Cleanliness means as per wiki ?
Cleanliness is both the abstract state of being clean and free from germs, dirt, trash, or waste, and the habit of achieving and maintaining that state. Cleanliness is often achieved through cleaning. (source : wiki)
Ablution also known as Wudu in Islam, is the Islamic procedure for cleansing parts of the body, a type of ritual purification, or ablution. Wudu consists of washing the face, arms, then wiping the head and finally washing the feet with water. Wudu is an important part of ritual purity in Islam. (source : wiki)
SURA 4 & VERSE 43 0 ye who believe! Approach not prayers In a state of intoxication. Until ye can understand All that ye say,- Nor in a state Of ceremonial impurity Except when you are Passing by (through the mosque), Until after washing Your whole body. If ye are ill. Or on a journey. Or one of you cometh From the privy. Or ye have been In contact with women, And ye find no water. Then take for yourselves Clean sand (or earth), And rub therewith Your faces and hands. For Allah doth blot out sins And forgive again and again.
Meaning : The reference is either to a state of intoxication or to a dazed state of mind on account of drowsiness or some other cause. Or perhaps both are implied. Before the prohibition of intoxicants altogether was promulgated. it was at least unbecoming that people should come to prayers in such a state. For prayers it is only right that we should collect our whole minds and approach Allah in a spirit of reverence. The strictest cleanliness and purity of mind and body are required. especially at the time of prayer. But there are circumstances when water for ablutions is not easily obtainable, especially in the dry conditions of Arabia. and then washing with dry sand or clean earth is recommended. Four such circumstances are mentioned: the two last when washing is specially required; the two first when washing may be necessary. but it may not be easy to get water. For a man. when he is ill. cannot walk out far to get water. and a man on a journey has no full control over his supplies. In all four cases. where water cannot be got. cleaning with dry sand or dry earth is recommended. This is called Tayammum.
SURA 5 & VERSE 6 0 ye who believe! When ye prepare For prayer, wash Your faces, and your hands (And arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); And (wash) your feet To the ankles. If ye are in a state Of ceremonial impurity, Bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, Or on a journey, Or one of you cometh From the privy Or ye have been In contact with women, And ye find no water, Then take for yourselves Clean sand or earth, And rub therewith Your faces and hands. Allah doth not wish To place you in a difficulty, But to make you clean. And to complete His favour to you, That ye may be grateful.
Meaning : These are the essentials of Wudhu, or ablutions preparatory to prayers, viz., (1) To Bath the whole face in water, and (2) both hands and arms to the elbows, with (3) a little rubbing of the head with water (as the head is usually protected and comparatively clean), and (4) the bathing of the feel to the ankles. In addition, following the practice of the Prophet, it is usual first to wash the mouth, and the nose before proceeding with the face. etc. Ritual impurity arises from sex pollution. This is Tayammum. or wiping with clean sand or earth where water is not available. I take it that this substitute is permissible both for Wudhu and for a full bath, in the circumstances mentioned.