The WUDU chestnut
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A subject fairly close to my heart, as well as DQ's, but I have an alternate understanding of this. Please bear in mind that this is a suggestion from me.
The word 'wudu' itself doesn't appear to be mentioned as DQ states, but 56 clearly refers to some kind of washing process prior to 'slwt'. However, my alternate proposal is this could it be possible that this could refer to cleanliness prior to conjugal relations? The verse preceding it talks of this, and if we take 'slwt' to emante from 'wsl' this means to join or to connect, according to Wehr I think this can also be used in the context of 'physically connecting' i.e. between spouses.
The only problem perhaps is that it is mentioned in the verse itself, unless it talks of doing it prior to another 'wash'.
Again, this is only a suggestion.
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Peace.
I must say it is a bit embarassing to go down that line, so I don't thing its 'nothing' becuase your wrong, its becuase its one could find it a bit embarassing. Having said that, marital relationships being one of the commitments one has in life, your interpretation could be right. However, my own understanding is as follows.
God has a reason for everything he says, and there must be a reason why God uses 'commitments' so openly, not limiting its scope. So what i take from that is that anything that we are commited to, we must go through the 4 steps given to us, washing feet wiping head etc. So technically, if we are to do something that we are comitted to, then we must prepare ourselves.
Initially I used to think that the 'rise for commitments' meant when you wake up for work, but your suggestion has made me realise that God is talking about all commitments, all things we think are important to us. So if we're going for an interview for a job, or to a party, or whatever we are committed to, i.e. not just lazying on the sofa watching add breaks or anything else like that (I couldn't think of a better example, sorry!), then we go through the four steps in preparation.
The reason i think this is important is becuase the parts we are to wash are the extremities of the body - the limbs. And so getting water on these parts of the body may actualy cool the blood cisulating through the body, which may refresh us, which I used to experience when I was an idolating sunni. So this may be the natural thing to do instead of drinking tea or coffee etc.
This is my understanding anyway, glad to see what people have to say about this. Thank you Gentile for contributing your ideas to us all.
Peace.
Natu on the line. -
Peace,
besides any specific discussion on what salat means, I don't think your suggestion is appropriate.
SURA 5 VERSE 6
O you who believe, if you rise to attend the contact-method, then wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads and your feet to the ankles; and if you have had intercourse, then you shall bathe. And if you are ill, or traveling, or you have excreted feces, or you have had sexual contact with the women, and you could not find water, then you shall do ablution from clean soil; you shall wipe your faces and your hands. God does not want to make any hardship over you, but He wants to cleanse you and to complete His blessings upon you that you may be appreciative.The only problem perhaps is that it is mentioned in the verse itself, unless it talks of doing it prior to another 'wash'.
Actually you clarified this yourself, so where do you want to get?
Elke