The usage of “إلى” with the meaning “مع” is not limited to this verse only...

The usage of “إلى” with the meaning “مع” is not limited to this verse only, since both in Allah’s Word and in Arabic, it is frequently found (2). In the Arabic language, there is a proverb supporting this claim (3). But Sharif Razi has proposed the meaning of addition. Undoubtedly the theme of the honourable verse is that hands should be washed including the elbows and the word “إلى” (to) means inclusion, but the verse does not include the quality of washing the hands (4).

Most Shia scholars, based on traditions, believe that beginning from the elbow is mandatory when washing the hand in ablution, but some others reject the proof of these traditions and believe that traditions only prove the desirability and preference of beginning from the fingers when washing the hands in ablution. Consequently, to them, washing the hands from the fingers is allowed and does not nullify the ablution.

Among the believers in this issue is Sayyid Murtaza Alam Al-Huda, in one of the two quotations attributed to him (5). Ibn Idris Hilli, in Sara’ir, explicitly accepts this quotation and about adducing it, he says: “…since the Exalted God has ordered us to wash the hands in the ritual ablution and one who washes his hand from the fingers to the elbow has undoubtedly done his duty”(6).

Extracted from the article titled “Wuzu in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith” by Abdorahman NOTES: _________________ 1. Abu Zakariyya Muhyi Al-Din Ibn Sharaf Al-Nawawi, Al-Majmu’, Dar Al-Fikr, Vol. 1, p. 394. 2. such as Qur’an 11:52, 4:2 and 3:52 3. An Arabic proverb says: الذَّودُ إلى الذَّودِ إبِلٌ. 4.

Other jurisprudents propose the possibility of the meaning ‘end’ for ‘إلى’ but this is not to say that the thing to be washed (hand in this case) is limited to this extent and that ‘إلى’ means the endpoint in washing since beginning from the elbow when washing the hand in ablution is agreed upon by all Muslims. The quality of washing the hand in the honourable verse: We should see what ‘إلى’ (to) means and to which verb it belongs.

There are two possibilities; the stronger one is that it means “مع” (with) and belongs to the verb ‘wash.’ In this case, the verse does not include the quality of washing the hands at all, and we should obtain it from traditions; since this verse only implies that the hand should be washed along with the elbow, but does not say anything if the hand should be washed beginning from the elbow or the fingertips.