It is therefore emphasized in the hadith s that a person...

It is therefore emphasized in the hadith s that a person must always be in a state of ablution; ablution is likened to a light;[^5] and sleeping while in a state of ablution has been considered like life and night vigil.[^6] To perform ablution has been recommended for supplication, recitation of the Qur’an, ziyarah , and many other good and devotional acts.[^7] Without ablution, it is forbidden to touch the verses of the Qur’an and the names of Allah, the Prophet and Imams ( ‘a ).[^8] The same ruling applies even if the name of Allah appears in different forms, such as the logos of institutions and establishments (such as the logo of the Islamic Republic of Iran).

Ablution permits entrance into the Presence of God, and specific supplications for its different steps have also been mentioned in books. There are many issues concerning ablution which cannot be covered in this volume. It should not remain unsaid, however, that it is unlawful to use water if it reaches the bound of what may be considered as extravagance.

The Messenger of Allah (S) has said: أَلْوُضُوءُ مُدٌ وَ ٱلْغُسْلُ صَاعٌ وَ سَيَأْتِي أَقْوَامٌ يَسْتَقِلُّونَ ذٰلِكَ فَأُولٰئِكَ عَلىٰ خِلاَفِ سُنَّتي. “For ablution a mudd [^9] and for taking a bath { ghusl } a sa‘ [^10] are enough, but there will come people in the future, people who will regard this amount as not enough (and they will consume more volumes of water).

Therefore, they will go against my tradition.”[^11] Purification { taharah } for prayer has the following stages: Outward purification from impurities and pollutions; Purification of the bodily limbs from sins and offenses; Spiritual purification from moral corruption[^12]—just as we read in supplications: “O Lord!

Cleanse my heart of polytheism!” If, at the time of prayer, it is necessary for the body and clothing to be clean from impurities, is it not essential for the heart and soul to be free of arrogance { kibr }, ostentation { riya’ }, envy { hasad }, and rancor { kinah }? Will not inner pollution and outer cleanliness be a type of hypocrisy { nifaq }? Bathing {ghusl} Sometimes, instead of ablution one has to perform ghusl {ritual bathing}.

One of these cases is ritual impurity caused by sexual intercourse { jinabah } and the entire body must be washed according to the rulings stated in the books on practical laws { risalah al-‘amaliyyah }.

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