I have a question about washing yourself before prayers

[Jason85]

From what I've read, Muslims have to wash various parts of the body after farting and going to the bathroom. What's the logic behind this? If one goes to the bathroom, why must that person wash their face or hair?

[thejellymill]

it's a spiritual cleansing. It's good to ask questions and stuff but really, you are getting quite insufferable.

[Timbit]

A. It's symbolic perhaps? You commit sins with your ears, mouth, hands, arms, feet, etc, and so, you're washing those off of you.

B. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

[frosama]

Jason85 said

From what I've read, Muslims have to wash various parts of the body after farting and going to the bathroom. What's the logic behind this? If one goes to the bathroom, why must that person wash their face or hair?

I agree with what others have posted and what I have to add is



Why not, it gives you an excuse to cleanse yourself. You can never be too clean. I've never heard of a muslim getting athlete's foot because we wash both of our feet several times a day. Sometimes we don't see the hidden logic behind something, but we reap the benefits anyways.

[Wolfn]

frosama said

I agree with what others have posted and what I have to add is



Why not, it gives you an excuse to cleanse yourself. You can never be too clean. I've never heard of a muslim getting athlete's foot because we wash both of our feet several times a day. Sometimes we don't see the hidden logic behind something, but we reap the benefits anyways.

Well, I got athlete's foot last summer when I was working at a grocery store retrieving carts from a storm outside. My shoes got soaked and disaster struck.

[BLUEcuda]

Hi,

This is a topic you can into a lot of detail about however to put it simply, the reason we do ablution(wudu) is because God has made this a condition before we pray:

"O you who believe! When you 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" [Qur'an 5:6]

Now what causes one to enter into a state of impurity is what the Prophet Muhammad(SAW) has taught, examples include passing wind and going to the bathroom.

So the verse above indicates that our prayers are not accepted without being in a pure state. When one is going to stand in front of the Creator of the whole universe we have to and should want to be in a pure clean state, its even recommended we smell nice.

However aside from it being something we have been commanded to do, it also has many benefits in this world, im sure you can think of those, when it comes to keeping clean and hygiene. However they also benefit us in the afterlife, example:

Abu Hurairah (RA) reports that Muhammad(SAW) said "When the Muslim (or 'Believing') servant makes wudoo and washes his face then the sin of everything he looked at with his eye comes away with the water, or with the last drop of the water, and when he washes his hands then the sin of everything he stretched out his hands to comes away with the water, or with the last drop of the water. And when he washes his feet every sin which his feet walked towards comes away with the water or with the last drop of the water - so that he leaves clean (clear/pure) from sins. [Muslim].

Pretty neat huh?

[frosama]

Wolfn said

Well, I got athlete's foot last summer when I was working at a grocery store retrieving carts from a storm outside. My shoes got soaked and disaster struck.

EDIT:
I've only heard of one muslim whose gotten athlete's foot and he was a convert. So he doesn't really count. Curse Publix and the Florida weather for ruining my example.

[Timbit]

Athlete's foot is not from washing your feet five times a day; it's from keeping them wet.
So, just dry them off after you do wudu (make sure you get the area between the toes, 'cause that's where fungus grows!).

Easy, see?

[Wolfn]

frosama said

EDIT:
I've only heard of one muslim whose gotten athlete's foot and he was a convert. So he doesn't really count. Curse Publix and the Florida weather for ruining my example.

Um, no offense but I feel a little uncomfortable when you say "he's a convert so he doesn't really count"

[thejellymill]

somehow jason's threads always end up on some topic or other related to feet

[frosama]

Wolfn said

Um, no offense but I feel a little uncomfortable when you say "he's a convert so he doesn't really count"

Sorry, it was my sad attempt at humor. No offense intended, I have the highest respect for converts and especially you.



Basically, the point is you wash some places you ordinarily don't wash on a daily basis barring a shower. (like between toe fingers, inside the ears, etc.)


Cleanliness is half of your faith. There are clear spiritual benefits and only Allah(swt) knows the full extent of the illnesses it may prevent you from getting and other physical benefits.

[smrtengineer]

among the reasons mentioned above, its also about going through a mental preparation before prayer.

It is said of Ali ibn al-Husayn that he used to turn pale when he made his ablution. When his family asked what came over him during his ablution, he would say, 'Do you realize before whom I wish to stand in prayer?'

Source: Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship, Al-Ghazali pg.30

As well, due to this ablution, there is a hadith, that says the areas that were washed will glow on the Day of Judgment and the Prophet (saw) will recognize his people through their glowing bodt parts, which is a result of ablution.

[BLUEcuda]

thejellymill said

somehow jason's threads always end up on some topic or other related to feet

That's an interesting observation. Out of curiosity I entered some other of Jason's threads and they all went to feet!? lol.

[Variable]

When you do wudu, do you inhale water through your nose and spit it out of your mouth?

(I really have no less blatant way to ask that )

[Jaysh]

thejellymill said

somehow jason's threads always end up on some topic or other related to feet

ahhahahahhahahha

i was just gonna post this!