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  4. Where did "wudu" come from??

Where did "wudu" come from??

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  • I Offline
    I Offline
    inquisitivetrini
    wrote on last edited by
    #1

    Peace all,

    I have a question that has most likely been addressed before. I typed in the word "wudu" in the search bar and read many posts about it. I typed in "ablution" and read many posts about it. I don't remember how many results came up for "wudu", but I do know that there are 13 pages, aka more than 300 forum posts using the word "ablution".

    The point is, after about 5 hours the day before, 3 or so hours yesterday, and two hours today, I am SOOOOOO TIRED of looking at my computer screen and looking for the results. Argh! '(

    So now comes the question If the Quran never states the word wudu or ablution in the first place, where the heck did this word come from? What's the history behind it?

    As I understand, this kind of "ritual purification" is significant to pagans. It makes many pagans happy to see that Islam entails similar rituals.

    Just to see where I'm coming from, I see "salat" as different from "contact prayer". I have several reasons why, but the important thing I want to know about is this whole "wudu" thing.

    Here's my summary

    443 Says, basically, don't perform "salat" while intoxicated, and bathe after sex. If there's no water to be found, and you're sick, traveling, etc then you can use clean earth. From my understanding, many animals try to have a layer of dirt on them in order for protection from germs. So it could be possible that, especially in dry communities with no water, dirt has the potential to clean in a sense.

    56 says when you rise for "salat", wash your face and hands and forearms, and wipe your head and feet. Keep yourself clean when traveling, when you're ill, after you've defecated, when you're in a state of "janada" or whatever that word is, after you've had sex, etc, but you can use dirt if you can't find water.

    So in sum keep yourself clean and fresh whenever you can.

    Do you agree/disagree with my summaries? Please keep in mind my view that salat is not a ritual prayer.

    And another question I have is am I supposed to use water every time I use the toilet? Or just after defecating? What's the arabic root for that word? Ok, that I could've looked up myself but my eyes are so strained right now.

    Oh, and plus! 56 is in the context of eating/food. So couldn't it be basic hygiene? Also for concentration?

    Please post links or quote quran verses showing why you think the way you do. Thanks!

    Sorry if I sounded rude in someway, or really frank, or didn't ask my question clearly....etc? I'm just sooo tired. Ugh. Please help me! Lol. I'll get back on later tonight. I think I'll go to the park now and take a walk.

    Peace! sun

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    • G Offline
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      GODsubmitter
      wrote on last edited by
      #2

      As with everything else, all religious practices came through Abraham, then Moses (he was the only one with who God ever spoke!), and through the Torah and Judaic tradition!

      Washing hands, feet, face; rinsing mouth before prayer ( &#1501
      Hebrew Rechitzah, Arabic Wudu

      The Talmud requires a person to wash his hands before prayer. A person must wash his hands to the wrists before prayer. Therefore, even though he washed his hands in the morning, if his hands touched a place of filth - i.e., a portion of the body which is sweaty and usually covered he scratched his head, or in the morning, he did not wash them until the wrists - he must wash them again before prayer. (Sotah 39a). The custom is to wash the right hand three times, and then the left hand three times. In addition, the Shulchan Aruch requires that the face be washed and the mouth rinsed upon rising.

      Thus with minor differences, the Rabbinic and Islamic custom of washing before prayer parallel each other. The 33rd point of customs recommend by the Sages of Safed include ?Some people go to the Mikveh . . . a zealous man was asked why are the prayers of the Jewish People not answered? He answered because the Jewish People pray without first going to the Mikveh.?

      It is reasonable to conclude that these washings correspond to washings performed in the Temple, both by the Priests and the worshipers. It is has been suggested that washing three times corresponds to the three gates that need to be entered to bring a sacrifice for offering. Thus a Muslim today, washing his hands three times, is doing it in remembrance of the Temple of Solomon.

      source
      http//www.alsadiqin.org/en/index.php?title=Prayer_Positions

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      • G Offline
        G Offline
        GODsubmitter
        wrote on last edited by
        #3

        ALSO

        The Ablution (Wudu)
        Four Steps and No More!
        Why We Cannot Do Extra Steps For The Ablution
        http//www.masjidtucson.org/submission/practices/salat/wudu_steps.html

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        • 3 Offline
          3 Offline
          357
          wrote on last edited by
          #4

          Peace all,

          So now comes the question If the Quran never states the word wudu or ablution in the first place, where the heck did this word come from? What's the history behind it?

          may be from here;

          http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=8250.0

          However i would strongly envisage the use of soap and hot water before doing wudu- especially when coming from the toilet, or you could be making a mockery of cleanliness.

          peace

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          • I Offline
            I Offline
            inquisitivetrini
            wrote on last edited by
            #5

            As with everything else, all religious practices came through Abraham, then Moses (he was the only one with who God ever spoke!), and through the Torah and Judaic tradition!

            Washing hands, feet, face; rinsing mouth before prayer ( &#1501
            Hebrew Rechitzah, Arabic Wudu

            The Talmud requires a person to wash his hands before prayer.

            Peace, brother,

            No disrespect, and please forgive me for being blunt, but you want me to follow the Jewish Talmud?

            In the link you posted, it ends with

            Thus a Muslim today, washing his hands three times, is doing it in remembrance of the Temple of Solomon.

            The Temple of Solomon??? What happened there?

            2101 And when a messenger came to them from God, authenticating what was with them, a group of those who had already received the Book placed the Book of God behind their backs as if they did not know.
            2102 And they followed what the devils recited regarding the kingship of Solomon. Solomon did not reject, but it was the devils who rejected by teaching people magic, and teaching them what was sent down on the two angels in Babylon, Haroot and Maroot. They did not teach anyone until they would say "We are a test, so do not lose faith!" Thus they teach what can separate between a person and his mate; but they cannot harm anyone except with the permission of God. And they learn what harms them and does not benefit them, and they have known that he who purchases such has no place in the Hereafter. Miserable indeed is what they purchased with their souls if only they knew!
            2103 And had they believed and been righteous, it would have brought them a recompense with God which is far better if only they knew!

            So you want me to follow the people who would rather learn about what harms them and doesn't benefit them?

            Here's something that talks about the Talmud

            http//embracingthecontradiction.org/Talmud.htm

            It quote things DIRECTLY from the Talmud. It is the prime source of what created Hadith in the first place. And you want me to follow it? When I've already rejected Hadith?

            Don't know if these two posts will solidify your opinion about wudu/salat or not, but this creeped me out

            http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9599857.msg237667#msg237667

            http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9599857.msg237909#msg237909

            Are we supposed to be following the masses because everyone ?just did it?? Why did you bother to turn to Quran alone, then?

            So where did the Jewish ?Rechitzah? come from? Why do the Arabs call it ?wudu? when it can't be found in the Quran?

            The only thing I've seen so far in terms of the source of ?ritual purification? is from either a pagan site, or Zoroastrianism. Both I reject just like I do Talmud and Hadith. Just in case you'd like to know, here's a short summary about the beliefs of Zoroastrianism

            http//www.zoroastrianism.cc/universal_religion.html

            Please don't provide me with falsehood to try and say that I need to do ?wudu?.

            Thank you for the history, though. May peace be upon you.

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            • W Offline
              W Offline
              Wilson
              wrote on last edited by
              #6

              Peace.

              Thus with minor differences, the Rabbinic and Islamic custom of washing before prayer parallel each other.

              There doesn't exist such a thing as 'ablution before prayer'.

              1. And if my servants ask you about me, I am near answering the calls of those who call to me. So let them respond to me and believe in me that they may be guided.

              Abdelilah

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              • W Offline
                W Offline
                Wilson
                wrote on last edited by
                #7

                Peace Inq,

                So in sum keep yourself clean and fresh whenever you can.

                You summed it up nicely.

                And another question I have is am I supposed to use water every time I use the toilet? Or just after defecating? What's the arabic root for that word? Ok, that I could've looked up myself but my eyes are so strained right now.

                Then why these questions? Don't be like the people of Moses in 267-71.

                Abdelilah

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                • I Offline
                  I Offline
                  inquisitivetrini
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #8

                  may be from here;

                  http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=8250.0

                  However i would strongly envisage the use of soap and hot water before doing wudu- especially when coming from the toilet, or you could be making a mockery of cleanliness.

                  peace

                  Very interesting post, bro. It was very thorough and informative. (And Bukhari was Iranian, wha?) I learned quite a few things from it.

                  And I agree with you that soap is important! Haha. The same with some of the people who posted on this forum
                  http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9598011.msg195896#msg195896

                  How come you say wash with soap before wudu? What strengthened your belief that wudu is required and/or is a spiritual purification when the Quran doesn't mention it?

                  Peace.

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                  • I Offline
                    I Offline
                    inquisitivetrini
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #9

                    Peace Inq,

                    You summed it up nicely.

                    Then why these questions? Don't be like the people of Moses in 267-71.

                    Abdelilah

                    Lol. TRUE! Thanks and peace. sun

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                    • J Offline
                      J Offline
                      justamuslim
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #10

                      To answer your question It came from men. Another innovation of men is what I am starting to think as like you I am in the process of discovering that salat is not this ritualistic prayer.

                      Putting dirt over you when you don't have water. You really believe that is from God?

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                      • I Offline
                        I Offline
                        inquisitivetrini
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #11

                        To answer your question It came from men. Another innovation of men is what I am starting to think as like you I am in the process of discovering that salat is not this ritualistic prayer.

                        Putting dirt over you when you don't have water. You really believe that is from God?

                        I hear that a certain kind of "earth" can be clean. Think of salt deposits and such. During my search for "wudu" in the forums, I came across this post

                        http//free-minds.org/forum/index.php?topic=9599857.msg275854#msg275854

                        What do you think about this? Perhaps the dirt/clean earth part may make more sense?

                        There are other types of "clean dirt" that you may already know of

                        Diatomaceous Earth
                        https//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diatomaceous_earth

                        Sassolite/Boric Acid
                        https//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boric_acid

                        And salt of course is a big one. Why do people go crazy over Dead Sea Mineral facials?

                        Peace! yay

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                        • J Offline
                          J Offline
                          justamuslim
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #12

                          So what you are saying is that God is referring to "clean" dirt in 56? Is that people's interpretation?

                          What if a guy can't find water or any clean dirt, then what is he to do? Does God specify that?

                          Do you mean to tell me that a guy is supposed to cleanse himself of this clean dirt 5 (or 3) times a day if he has no water? Any kind of dirt on a guy with facial hair, help me to understand how so cleansing it would be? Has any guy tried it? And this is what God wants a guy to do?

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                          • 3 Offline
                            3 Offline
                            357
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #13

                            How come you say wash with soap before wudu? What strengthened your belief that wudu is required and/or is a spiritual purification when the Quran doesn't mention it?

                            Peace.

                            I just thought if we can't convince people of the futility of wudu, i suppose giving a good advice is rewarding - using soap is one .........

                            but wudu and all them other things nope

                            I am happy there are so many people using there mind to find out things, rather then being followers , Thanks.

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                            • G Offline
                              G Offline
                              GODsubmitter
                              wrote on last edited by
                              #14

                              To answer your question It came from men. Another innovation of men is what I am starting to think as like you I am in the process of discovering that salat is not this ritualistic prayer.

                              Putting dirt over you when you don't have water. You really believe that is from God?

                              Are you saying that the Holy Qur'an comes from men (humans)? ???

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                              • J Offline
                                J Offline
                                justamuslim
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #15

                                Are you saying that the Holy Qur'an comes from men (humans)? ???

                                No.

                                People translate the Koran incorrectly but are so convinced that they are right that they will not see it any other way. Hey, if you want to think that it was God who said to "wash" your face with dirt that's your thing. Well you have millions here who allege that God commanded a woman to cover herself head to toe, listen to people who supposedly heard or saw prophet Muhammed, and much more.

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                                • G Offline
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                                  GODsubmitter
                                  wrote on last edited by
                                  #16

                                  No.

                                  People translate the Koran incorrectly but are so convinced that they are right that they will not see it any other way. Hey, if you want to think that it was God who said to "wash" your face with dirt that's your thing. Well you have millions here who allege that God commanded a woman to cover herself head to toe, listen to people who supposedly heard or saw prophet Muhammed, and much more.

                                  Did I ask you to report about other people? No.
                                  I asked you what you meant by your post. Thanx for the answer, but

                                  We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature.

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                                  • I Offline
                                    I Offline
                                    inquisitivetrini
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #17

                                    So what you are saying is that God is referring to "clean" dirt in 56? Is that people's interpretation?

                                    What if a guy can't find water or any clean dirt, then what is he to do? Does God specify that?

                                    Do you mean to tell me that a guy is supposed to cleanse himself of this clean dirt 5 (or 3) times a day if he has no water? Any kind of dirt on a guy with facial hair, help me to understand how so cleansing it would be? Has any guy tried it? And this is what God wants a guy to do?

                                    Peace,

                                    I would assume that if someone lives in a dry climate where water was scarce, there would be some kind of mineral deposit with cleansing properties. But perhaps there could be another interpretation of this word rather than "clean earth".

                                    What's your perspective on this part of the verse, then? What do you believe it means? Do you have any new insight on some possibilities?

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                                    • I Offline
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                                      inquisitivetrini
                                      wrote on last edited by
                                      #18

                                      I just thought if we can't convince people of the futility of wudu, i suppose giving a good advice is rewarding - using soap is one .........

                                      but wudu and all them other things nope

                                      Haha/ Yea when soap was mentioned 'before wudu', I thought the same thing - that this 'wudu' thing is pretty futile. I just wanted to know why he came to the conclusion that making wudu was still plausible, especially after reading the link he posted.

                                      Peace! yay

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                                      • I Offline
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                                        inquisitivetrini
                                        wrote on last edited by
                                        #19

                                        Did I ask you to report about other people? No.
                                        I asked you what you meant by your post. Thanx for the answer, but

                                        We have cited in this Quran every kind of example, but the human being is the most argumentative creature.

                                        He also says 577 Say "O people of the Book, do not overstep in your system other than the truth, and do not follow the desires of a people who have been misguided before, and they misguide many; and they strayed from the right path."

                                        73 Follow what was sent down to you from your Lord, and do not follow besides Him any supporters. Little do you remember!

                                        1035 Say "Are there any of those whom you set up as partners who can guide to the truth?" Say "God guides to the truth. Is He who guides to the truth more worthy of being followed, or he who does not guide except after he is guided? What is wrong with you, how do you judge?"
                                        1036 Most of them only follow conjecture. While conjecture does not avail against the truth in anything. God is aware of what they do.

                                        6112 And as such, We have permitted the enemies of every prophet mankind and Jinn devils to inspire each other with fancy words in order to deceive. Had your Lord willed, they would not have done it. You shall disregard them and their fabrications.
                                        6113 That is so the hearts of those who do not believe in the Hereafter will listen to it, and they will accept it, and they will take of it what they will.
                                        6114 "Shall I seek other than God as a judge when He has sent down to you the Book fully detailed?" Those to whom We have given the Book know it is sent down from your Lord with the truth; so do not be of those who have doubt.
                                        6115 And the word of your Lord has been completed with truth and justice; there is no changing His words. He is the Hearer, the Knower.
                                        6116 And if you obey most of those on the earth they will lead you away from the path of God; that is because they follow conjecture, and that is because they only guess.

                                        All we're trying to do is make sure that we're understanding the Quran in the way it's supposed to be understood.

                                        2121 Those to whom We gave the Book, they recite it as it truthfully deserves to be recited; they believe in it. As for those who disbelieve in it, they are the losers.

                                        1736 And do not uphold what you have no knowledge of. For the hearing, eyesight, and heart, all these you are responsible for.

                                        That's all.

                                        Peace. )

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                                        • J Offline
                                          J Offline
                                          justamuslim
                                          wrote on last edited by
                                          #20

                                          Ok let's look at 56 step by step and try to make some sense of the translation. At the end of this verse, two things are made clear....

                                          1. God does not want to impose hardship on us.
                                          2. God wants to purify us

                                          You agree?

                                          First who is God addressing. starts out with 'o believers' (meaning men and women believers) and then switches to addressing a man. when I read this verse, I started out thinking oh God is talking to me and then....Hmm, ok He is talking to a guy. so God tells a guy to put dirt on his face and hands before he stands up for prayer. Now how about the women believers? Per this verse, tayammum is only for guys? If you say it is for both then my question is why would God start out with "oh believers" and then switch to the guys specifically if He meant both believing men and women should do this tayammum?

                                          We are to understand that "purify" in the context of the verse as it is translated means physical purification. Now, let's see if this makes sense after what God has commanded us to do in this verse.

                                          Would you consider putting dirt (may it be dirty dirt or clean dirt) on a guy with facial hair (keep in mind it is Sunna for a guy to grow a beard) to be a cleansing or purifying act? First help me to understand this. Applying dirt on a guy's face and hand is purifying how? Having dirt on your beard is purifying? When you handle dirt, you can get dirt under your nails. Do you consider this to be purifying and cleansing to have dirt under your nails?

                                          How does wiping your face and hand with dirt render you physically pure? Help me to understand that. From this verse, we are to conclude that answering the call of nature renders you unclean. you have to do wudhu with water before standing up for your salat if you went to the toilet. In every Muslim household toilet, you have water to clean your private parts otherwise you are considered unclean. If you don't have the water, according to this verse, God tells you that before you stand for prayer, you "purify" yourself by putting dirt on your face and hands. How does wiping your face and hand with dirt render you clean from going to the bathroom? Your privates are still dirty - aren't they? I don't get that. do you?

                                          Ok so I go the bathroom and I have no water. After urinating or defecating, I leave the toilet totally dirty from that or I wipe myself with whatever is available - cloth, paper, leaf, stone, etc. Too gross not to wipe. So, I wipe but I am unclean. Being that I am a girl, according to this verse can you tell me what I am supposed to do?

                                          Before I go any further, let me stop here and let's first answer these questions, addressing these points and come to an understanding. Let's see if these translations which majority accept as being accurate are indeed the right translations and if they really make sense.

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