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II
THE QURAN
1. Washing
(Ghusl)
Washing the body is enjoined after each of the following
impurities: sexual intercourse, breaking wind, menses,
pollutio
mocturna,
childbirth and miscarriage. Before washing, one must
remove impurities such as urine, human excrement and blood.
Washing must be immediately preceded by the expression of
intention
(niyya)
to perform it. Some legal schools consider
washing as substitute for the ablution
(wudu').
Islam enjoins the
washing of the dead but not the martyr
(shahid)
who died while
fighting for God's cause.
2. The Ablution
(Wudu')
Islam enjoins the ablution before prayer. The ablution is
performed as follows: the believer first expresses his sincere
intention to perform it; he, then, washes his hands, rinses his
mouth, takes water into his nostrils, washes his face and arms as
high as the elbows, draws his wetted hand over his head, washes
his ears and finally washes his feet.
The ablution is breached (or invalidated) by sleep, loss of
consciousness, breaking wind, relieving one's self, urination, and
the touching of the body of the opposite sex with out barrier.
3. Purification by Sand
(Tayammum)
Tayammum
or purification by sand is a symbol of obedience
and is a substitute for washing and ablution. It is not, however,
permitted except when it is absolutely necessary. It is allowed