Ablutions, from the Latin “abluere” meaning “to wash”, are acts of ritual purification involving the washing of certain parts of the body, or even the whole body. They are practiced in various religions, notably Islam and Judaism, where they are of particular importance [3][5]. Much more than a simple act of hygiene, ablutions symbolize spiritual purification, preparation for sacred acts and the desire to draw closer to the divine. They mark a transition between the profane and the sacred, between the state of impurity and the state of purity required to approach God.
Definition and origin
The term “ablution” derives from the Latin verb “abluere”, meaning “to wash” or “to purify with water”. The noun “ablutio”, in ecclesiastical Latin, means “I wash myself” [5]. It refers to the action of ritually washing a part of the body or the whole body [1]. The expression “to make one’s ablutions” can also be used in a non-religious context to mean “to wash”, to wash oneself in a general way [1][7].
Ablutions in Islam: Three Levels of Purification
Islam attaches the utmost importance to ablutions, considering them an essential condition for the validity of certain acts of worship, notably Prayer (Salat). The Muslim religion distinguishes three types of ablution, corresponding to different levels of purification [5] :
Small Ablutions (Wudu or Wodzūʾ): Wudu is the most common and frequent ablution. It is obligatory before performing prayer (Salat) and before performing Tawaf, the circumambulation around the Kaaba during pilgrimage [5]. Wudu is a symbolic act designed to purify the body and mind of minor impurities accumulated in daily life.
Wudu steps[4] :
- Intention (Niyya): Before beginning, the believer must have the sincere intention of performing Wudu to purify himself for the worship of God.
- Wash hands up to the wrists: Start with the right hand, then the left, making sure to wash between the fingers.
- Rinse mouth (3 times): Take water in your right hand, circulate it in your mouth and spit it out.
- Rinse nose (3 times): Draw a little water through your nostrils and blow your nose.
- Washing the face: Wash the entire face, from forehead to chin and from ear to ear, ensuring that the water reaches the entire surface.
- Wash arms up to elbows: Start with the right arm, then the left, making sure to wash up to the elbows and between the fingers.
- Wipe head: Run wet hands over head, from forehead to nape of neck, then back to forehead.
- Wipe ears: With wet hands, clean inside and outside ears with index fingers and thumbs.
- Wash feet down to the ankles: Start with the right foot, then the left, making sure to wash between the toes.
Wudu is a preparation for prayer, a moment of recollection and purification that enables us to present ourselves before God in a state of physical and spiritual cleanliness.
The Great Ablutions (Ghusl): Ghusl, also known as “ritual bath”, is a major purification that involves washing the entire body with pure water [5]. It is required in specific situations involving a state of major impurity, rendering the believer unfit to perform certain acts of worship, such as prayer, fasting or reading the Quran.
Situations requiring Ghusl [5][6]:
- After menstruation or lochia (post-partum bleeding) for women: Once the bleeding has stopped, the woman must perform the Ghusl to purify herself and be able to resume her religious practices.
- After intercourse (for men and women): Ghusl is obligatory after all sexual intercourse, whether ejaculation has taken place or not.
- After desire-induced ejaculation: Whether during sleep (erotic dream) or while awake, desire-induced ejaculation requires the Ghusl.
- After touching a human corpse: Contact with a human corpse (with the exception of martyrs) makes Ghusl compulsory.
- For new converts to Islam: It is recommended that new converts perform the Ghusl as a symbol of purification and entry into the Muslim community.
Ghusl steps :
- Intention (Niyya): Having the sincere intention of purifying oneself from the state of major impurity for the love of God.
- Wash intimate parts: To remove all traces of impurity.
- Perform Wudu (small ablutions): As described above.
- Pour water over the whole body: starting with the head, then the right side of the body, then the left, making sure that the water reaches all parts of the body, including the hair, armpits and navel. It’s important to rub the body thoroughly to ensure that no part remains dry.
Ghusl is an act of profound purification, a spiritual rebirth that enables the believer to cleanse himself of major impurities and reconnect with God.
Dry Ablutions (Tayammum): Tayammum, or dry ablution, is an alternative to water ablutions (Wudu and Ghusl) in exceptional situations where water is inaccessible or where its use is detrimental to health [5]. It is permissible to use it when you are ill, traveling, or when you can’t find water after making reasonable efforts to look for it.
Situations allowing Tayammum [5]:
- Absence of water: When there is no water available in the vicinity, or water is inaccessible (e.g. due to a hazard).
- Illness: When the use of water may aggravate an illness or delay recovery.
- Intense cold: When the use of cold water is likely to cause damage to health.
Tayammum steps:
- Intention (Niyya): Having the sincere intention of performing Tayammum to purify oneself as a substitute for Wudu or Ghusl.
- Find pure mineral material: This can be clean earth, sand, stone or any other natural material from the ground.
- Striking the mineral with your hands: Place the palms of your hands on the mineral just once.
- Wipe face: Run hands over entire face, starting at forehead and working down to chin.
- Wipe hands and forearms: Wipe the right hand up to the elbow with the palm of the left hand, then do the same with the left hand using the palm of the right hand.
Tayammum is a facility granted by God to enable believers to fulfill their religious obligations even in difficult circumstances. It symbolizes purity of intention and the will to comply with divine commandments, even in the absence of water.
Ablutions in Judaism: A Link with Ritual Purity
Judaism also attaches great importance to ablutions, seeing them as a means of purifying oneself and drawing closer to God. Jewish law prescribes different forms of ablution, depending on the circumstances [5] :
Total immersion (Tevila): Total immersion in a ritual bath, called a Mikvé, is a central practice in Judaism. The Mikvé is a basin of water that must be fed by a natural source, such as rainwater, a river or a spring [5]. Immersion in the Mikveh is required in several situations, including:
- For women after menstruation or childbirth: Before a woman can resume conjugal relations, she must immerse herself in the Mikveh.
- For conversion to Judaism: Immersion in the Mikvé is an essential step in the conversion process.
- For the purification of ritual objects: Certain objects used in worship, such as crockery, must be immersed in the Mikveh before their first use.
- Before certain religious holidays: It’s customary to immerse in the Mikveh before Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement and other important holidays.
Immersion in the Mikvé symbolizes spiritual rebirth, a return to a state of original purity.
Ablution of the Hands (Netilat Yadaim):Ablution of the hands is a daily practice in Judaism. It is performed several times throughout the day, including [5]:
- Waking up: To cleanse the skin of impurities accumulated during the night.
- After using the toilet: For reasons of hygiene and ritual purity.
- Before eating bread: To sanctify the act of eating and express gratitude to God for the food.
- Before prayer: To prepare spiritually for communication with God.
The ablution of the hands is performed by pouring water over each hand with a container, starting with the right hand, then the left. A special blessing is recited during the ablution of the hands before the bread is eaten.
Spiritual Importance of Ablutions
In Islam, as in Judaism, ablutions are not simply acts of hygiene. They have a profound spiritual significance, symbolizing [3] :
- Purification: Ablutions purify the body and mind of impurities, both physical and spiritual. They enable us to rid ourselves of accumulated impurities and present ourselves before God in a state of purity.
- Preparation for Worship: Ablutions prepare the believer for sacred acts such as prayer, reading the Quran or entering a synagogue. They mark a transition between the profane and the sacred, between the material and the spiritual worlds.
- Respect for the Divine: Ablutions are a sign of respect and reverence for God. They show that the believer takes his relationship with the Divine seriously, and strives to present himself before Him in the most dignified manner possible.
- Reminder of Creation: Water, the central element of ablutions, is often associated with creation and life. Ablutions remind believers of their origin and their dependence on God, the source of all life.
Ablutions in Other Contexts
While ablutions occupy a central place in Islam and Judaism, similar practices can be found in other religions and contexts:
- Christianity: Baptism, total immersion or sprinkling with water, is considered a fundamental sacrament in Christianity [3]. It symbolizes purification from sin, death to the old life and rebirth in Christ. Although baptism is not a daily practice like ablutions in Islam or Judaism, it shares with them the symbolism of purification by water.
- Hinduism: Ritual ablutions, known as “snana”, are a common practice in Hinduism. They are often performed in sacred rivers, such as the Ganges, and symbolize the purification of body and mind.
- Secular usage: The expression “faire ses ablutions” is also used in a non-religious context to designate the act of washing, of making one’s toilet [1] [7]. This common usage testifies to the importance of bodily hygiene in daily life, even outside a religious context.
Conclusion
Ablutions, whether practiced in a religious or secular context, underline the importance of purity, both physical and spiritual. They are a means of purifying oneself, preparing for important acts and connecting with the divine, or simply taking care of one’s body. In Islam and Judaism, ablutions occupy a central place, punctuating the daily life of believers and accompanying them on their spiritual journey. They are a constant reminder of the need to purify oneself, to draw closer to God and to live in accordance with His commandments. Ablutions are a powerful symbol of the quest for purity and the desire to appear before the divine in a state of dignity and respect.
References :
[1] https://www.linternaute.fr/dictionnaire/fr/definition/ablution/
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fD913UnE_Ho
[3] https://www.le-dictionnaire.com/definition/ablution
[4] https://oumma.com/priere-faire-ablutions/
[5] https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ablution
[6] https://neyssa-shop.com/blog/les-grandes-ablutions/
[7] https://www.cordial.fr/dictionnaire/definition/ablution.php
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e6mkV_5rZMk