Scientific Evidence of Wudhu
Abidah binti Haji Mohd Rafee (1660**)
Nur Amirah Zakirah binti Shazlen (1660**)
Latifah binti Husaini (1660**)
Dr. Majdan Alias
15 DECEMBER 2016
Content
INTRODUCTION
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF HANDS AND WRIST
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF FACE
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF FEET TO ANKLE
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF MOUTH
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF NOSE
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF ARMS UNTIL ELBOW
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF PARTS OF THE HEAD
SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE OF EARS
CONCLUSION
REFERENCE
Introduction
Before performing Solat or reading the Al-Quraan, the Muslims must perform ablution. Ablution (Wudhu) roughly means act of washing oneself, but to be specific, it is define as a ceremonial act of washing parts of the body or sacred containers. The word originates from Latin and is being used in the Late Middle English. The term ‘ablution’ in 16th century is specifically used for chemistry and alchemy meaning ‘purification using liquids’. The meaning of Wudhu in the Islamic term is a combination between material and spiritual cleaning as it is a crucial step of worshipping in Islam that somehow gives a Muslim peace in heart and spiritual power. In addition, Wudhu can also sooth fury, eliminate anger and calm the spirit. Therefore, the Prophet (pbuh) advised a person who got furious to make wudu. (Abu Dawud, Adab, 3; Musnad, 4/226) Wudu is a spiritual weapon of a believer and a spiritual shield against invisible dangers. Washing an organ in Wudhu let a Muslin washes away his sins; it is stated that each organ of wudu will shine brightly on the Day of Resurrection. The parts of the body that is included in performing ablution are:
1. Hands until wrist
2. Mouth and nose
3. Face
4. Arms until elbow
5. Parts of the head
6. Ears
7. Feet to ankles
In Surah Al-Maidah 5:6, "O you who believe, when you rise to observe the Salat, you shall wash your faces and your arms to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles."
Scientific Evidences
In this section I will be talking about the ‘Hands until Wrists’. We use hands almost every time as we do our daily activities such as twisting the door knob in order to open the door or even shake our friends’ hands as we greet them. So, this is why our hands are prone to the growth of germs or bacteria such as Staphylococcus Aureus and the spreading of harmful diseases, viruses and fungi which are can cause Eczema (a skin disease). Therefore, hands must be cleaned all the time as it is very exposed to dirtiness. Not only ablution removes dust and dirt, but it also makes the skin smoother as it helps the cells underneath the skin to work efficiently. To add, wrist is one of the pulse points- places where you can feel your heartbeats as the blood vessels are close to the skin surface, because of this, you can cool off your body by making contact with cold water (water that is relatively colder than your body temperature because heat moves from hot region to colder region-dynamic equilibrium of temperature- Thermal Physics).
BENEFITS OF WASHING THE FACE
Next, I will be elaborating about ‘Face’. Some says that the face is the greatest asset that human has, so take a good care of it, moreover, face will be the first thing that people look at and get judge for. Nowadays, the air is filled with pollution that came from deadly chemicals such as according to Julie E. Russak, M.D., FAAD, Board Certified Dermatologist and a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology: Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide, Sulfur Dioxide, and Carbon Monoxide which can cause skin and eye infections or worst-skin cancer as when they react with UV light from the sun they will form a carcinogenic (cancerous) factor which breakdown proteins and destroy lipids in the skin , if they are not being removed regularly. Experts also have said that the face should be wash many times to save it from allergies. By washing the face, not only the blood circulation improves but it also will make the face look more beautiful and fresh. In addition, the washing action can energize the skin cells thus prevent early wrinkles to form and also relives ones from feeling exhausted and lethargic.
BENEFITS OF WASHING THE FEET TO ANKLE
After this, I will explain about ‘feet to ankle’. Like hands, feet are also involved in ones daily basis. Grime usually got stuck between the toes and become the main contributor of infections as feet is always trapped inside the shoes thus sweat and dust are trapped inside. Performing ablution (including scrubbing between the toes) will wash away the germs from the feet thus leaving it clean and athlete-foot free. According to podiatrist Emma Supple from the College of Podiatry in the UK, the feet should be clean as regular as the face. Moreover, ablution is considered as relieving ones muscle thus making ones more active and lively. This is because as you walk using your feet, you are considered as exercising, the muscle will become tired, and the lactic acid will build up due to the conversion of lactate-which came from the lack of oxygen present in the body during the exercising activity- to energy, which can cause muscle sore. The act of rubbing your feet will improve the blood circulation that can cause the release of oxygen from the red blood cells to the feet muscles which can prevent sudden foot cramp to happen. To add, flowing water to ones feet to ankle will cool off one’s body as it is also the pulse points in the body.
BENEFITS OF RINSING THE MOUTH
In Wudhu, hands are washed first because to make sure our hands are free from germs. In that case, these germs could not enter our mouth during mouth rising and it would not reach stomach thereby causing several infections. There are many dangerous germs accompanied with air and the constituents of food stuck in our mouth and on teeth via saliva. Regarding to that, we need to rinse our mouth and do Miswak in Wudhu as to clean our mouth thoroughly. The miswak or siwak is a stick made from a twig or root that contains antiseptic properties that a Muslim optionally uses it as a toothbrush. A Muslim usually is recommended to do this miswak at certain times such as before going on a journey, entering the house and before prayer. Based on a hadith, it is narrated about Abu Hurayrah once reported that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Were it not that I might overburden believers, I would have ordered them to use the miswak at every prayer” (Sahih Muslim). It also can prevent tooth decay and halts the increase of decay. Thus if the mouth is not washed or cleaned properly, including the use of miswak, it will increase ones susceptibility to infection and disease. There a few following diseases may occur if our mouth is not cleaned:
1. Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) – the swelling of the mouth.
2. Tearing of the periphery of mouth.
3. Moniliasis of the mouth and lips (bacterial infection) – lack of oral hygiene
4. Periodontal disease – lack of oral hygiene
5. Gingivitis – lack of oral hygiene
6. Tartar – lack of oral hygiene
Based on the recent study established in the Clinical Microbiology Reviews Journal by the name of ‘Systemic Diseases Caused by Oral Infection’, they have proven that there is a direct connection between a lack of oral hygiene and systemic diseases. So, systemic diseases include Cardiovascular Disease, Bacterial Pneuomonia, Osteoperosis, Low Birth Weight and Diabetes Related Complications may occur if we are neglecting to rinse our mouth. Plus, it is a Sunnah to gargle, if the person is not in fasting. It is proven that individual who gargles regularly will not suffer from tonsillitis and he or she will be saved from several types of throat infections including throat cancer.
BENEFITS OF SNIFFING WATER INTO THE NOSE
Air that free from germs, smoke and dust, having about 80% humidity and a temperature slightly greater than 90 are what our lungs needed. With the Greatness of Allah S.W.T, He has granted us with the bounty of nose. Nose produces about one-fourth gallon of moisture to humidify the air. The purpose of hairs inside the nose is to act as dust catcher. There is a microscopic scrubber that has visible bristles to kill the germs coming with the air. These bristles also contain a protective feature called Lysozyme in the nose that can protect eyes from infection. The rinsing of nose by virtue of Wudhu is very beneficial as the nose get serviced, the properties of water also fortify the ability of bristles and hence, a Muslim can avoid the diseases of nose such as nose cancer, persisting flu and having wounds in nose.
BENEFITS OF WASHING THE ARMS
The elbows are directly related to the heart, liver and brain as it connected by three major veins. As we all know, this organ usually remains covered by the skin. Several mental and neurological complications may occur if water or air is not permitted to interact with elbows. In the virtue of Wudhu, arms including elbows are washed as well as this act fortifies the heart, liver and brain. This act also can prevent our arms from getting a skin infection that can lead to skin cancer. In addition, washing the arms is related with the radiations stored in the chest as it can start to flow the halo of radiation, then strengthening the muscled of hands.
BENEFITS OF WASHING THE EARS
In matter of wiping the ears in ablution, it is not compulsory and it is considered Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) to do so. It is also proven that wiping the ears can prevent you from many diseases. Wax accumulation which may cause ear infections, which is affecting the inner ear, which eventually causes body imbalances can be prevented by wiping the ears. It also helps you to remove dust and germs from the outer area of the ears. Other than that, wiping over the back of the ears prevent infections like mastoiditis from arising. There are many little parts inside of our ears that give a big impact if we do not take a good care of it like cochlea. Cochlea are hundreds of bases that harmonize the work of almost all organs, decrease high blood pressure and relieve tooth and throat pain.
BENEFITS OF WASHING THE HEAD
Next, I’ll explain about washing the head in ablution. Muslim are advised to wash part of the head, including neck. The head and neck are loaded with veins that run throughout the body and to the brain and spinal cord. The cold wiping hands over the head will stimulate these veins increasing the blood flow and strengthening and the corresponding organs. It is known that the hairs on the head actually act as antennae within the human body. We are known that human is a store of information. We eat when we are hungry and we only drink water when we feel thirsty, we sleep when our body knows that we need to rest. Meaning, we make intention to perform something and it makes us attentive to do something. Same goes to ablution. It actually makes us attentive towards the fact that we are performing this action for Allah. When we wipe our hands over our head, the hairs on our head acting as antennae receive all information which is conflicting to all kinds of impurity, grief and those things which distance us from Allah. Our mind only accepts that information which is directly related to Allah and helps us get closer to Him because we are ready to perform prayer.
Conclusion
The compulsory organs of wudu are the entire face, arms until elbows, part of head and feet while the Sunnah acts of wudu are making intention to perform wudu, washing the hands up to the wrist, the gargle thrice, to rinse your nose thrice, to wash each limb thrice, to wipe the head once, to wipe the head once, to wipe the ears and even to do wudu in the order Allah has commanded us.
The water types that are permitted to use to perform ablution are spring, sea or river water, water of melting snow or hail, water of a big tank or pond and well water. Meanwhile, there are also prohibited water types including unclean or impure water, water extracted from fruit and trees, water that has changed its colour, taste and smell and become thick because something was soaked in it, small quantity of water in which something unclean has fallen, water left over after drinking by haram animals and used water of wudu.
“He stroked lightly the earth with his hands and then blew off the dust and passed his hands over his face and hands.” [Sahih al-Bukhari]
While tayammum refers to the dry ablution in Islam using sand or dust, which may be performed in place of wudu, only if no clean water is readily available or if you have injuries. The compulsory organs are arms until elbow and part of head.
Different madhabs including Hanafi Madhab, Hanbali Madhab, Maliki Madhab and Shafi’i Madhab have different obligatory acts of wudu.
References
.[Salem, Mukhtar, Prayers: A sport for the soul and body, CAIRO, The Arab Modern Center (1990), pg. 52.]
Masalha, Mahmud et al. “Analysis of Transcription of the Staphylococcus Aureus Aerobic Class Ib and Anaerobic Class III Ribonucleotide Reductase Genes in Response to Oxygen.” Journal of Bacteriology 183.24 (2001): 7260–7272. PMC. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.
Wuzu and Science by Shaykh-e-Tariqat Amir-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat, the founder of Dawat-e-Islam Hadrat Allamah Maulana, Muhammad Ilyas Attar Qadiri Razavi, page 3,6,7,8,9 and 11.
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