by Shaheen Darr

Created on: May 24, 2008

Ablution is the perfect example of the saying that cleanliness is next to Godliness. In addition to his normal cleaning routines like bathing, a Muslim performs ablution five times a day just before his prayers. The way in which ablution is performed has been handed down since the beginning of Islam as shown by Prophet Muhammad.

The hygienic aspect of ablution is an obvious medical benefit. By washing yourself you stay fresh and healthy and there is less chance of contacting germs.

Ablution is performed by washing your private parts, the face, nostrils, eyes, behind the ears, the neck, the hands and arms up to the elbows and finally the feet. Each part is washed three times and the name of Allah and the prayer of Shahadah which says that there is only one God and Prophet Muhammed is His messenger is recited. This mental recital helps the person to stay focused and gives clarity to the mind.

In addition, there is a direction and purpose to life and a person does not feel depressed and isolated. A person who combines his worldly life with his spiritual side is a lucky person indeed as his life has a balance in it. Prayer is a way of sharing problems with your Maker and it lightens the heart and promotes a more positive state of mind.

It is said that the pressure points that are simulated when you wash your face during ablution leads to the secretion of endorphins which relax the brain and help to relieve headaches and anger in a person. The act of ablution followed by prayer calms the mind as you cannot pray if you are full of anger and hate. Peace descends on the person as he mentally prepares himself for prayer.

Ablution also helps to keeps lines and wrinkles away by keeping the face peaceful. In fact the calmness and peace on the face of a person who prays regularly is visible to all to see because of the contentment on his face. Such a person is said to have 'Nur' or light on his face.

From a spiritual aspect, the act of ablution helps to purify not just the body but also the mind. This is because you go to prayer having intentionally washed all the parts of your body that need to be purified so that the state of your physical body is now attuned with your mental state. In one of the Hadith (sayings of the Prophet) it is mentioned that Prophet Muhammed said that when ablution is being performed sins committed by those body parts will also be washed away so that the person becomes pure.

The clothes that are worn during prayer have to be clean and fresh and so does the area where the prayer is to be performed. All these conditions combined with a clean mind and body help the person to reach a level of purity during prayer. It is symbolic that worldly impurities are washed away so that the spiritual level is easier to attain.

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