Originally posted 2016-09-07 11:00:06.

By: Editorial Staff

Parents are responsible for teaching their children everything about hygiene and cleanliness. This article provides the basic information that parents could need in order to teach children about purification in Islam.

Prayer is the second pillar of Islam and it must be offered while being in a state of taharah (purification).

Taharah (purification) is only completed by performing wudu’ (ablution), ghusl (ritual bath) or clean dust (Tayammum).

Types of Water:

1- Tahur which is both pure and purifying. This kind of water removes hadath (minor and major impurity) and najasah (impure objects).

2- Najas which is mixed with impure elements; water whose taste, smell, or color has been altered.

Al-Istinja’ means to clean the private parts after having urination or defecation. If one uses water to clean himself, it is called istinja’. If one uses a hard material such as a tissue or a stone, it is called istijmar.

It is prohibited for one who relieves himself to do the following:

–  To answer the call of nature in the running water, places where people walk and gather, shaded places, or under a fruitful tree.

– To face the qiblah (direction of prayer).

 It is recommended for one who relieves himself to do the following:

– To say “Bismillah” (in the name of Allah).

– To enter the bathroom with the left foot and exit with the right foot.

Miswak (stick used for cleaning teeth) is a sunnah of the Prophet (peace be upon him) and it is highly recommended in the following situations:

1- Standing up for prayer.

2- Reciting the Qur’an.

Description of Ablution:

– You must have the intention.

– Say “Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem”

– Wash hands three times.

– Rinse the mouth three times.

– Rinse the nose three times and then blow the water out.

– Wash arms up to the elbows three times.

– Wipe the entire head.

– Put your index fingers in the ears and wipe the back of the ears with one’s thumbs.

– Wash your feet three times up to the ankles.

Wiping over Khuffain (leather socks) and Cotton Socks.

– To be in a state of purity when one wore them.

– Wipe on them only in case of purification from the state of minor ritual impurity, not major ritual impurity such as (janabah, ejaculation, etc).

– The socks must be pure and clean.

– They must completely cover the feet up to the ankles.

Duration of Wiping over the Socks:

The resident can wipe over them for a period of one day and night, and three days and nights for the traveler.

Beginning of Wiping:

It starts from the time of being in ritual impurity after wearing them, as ritual impurity necessitates performing ablution.

Actions that Necessitate ghusl (ritual bath):

– Emission of sperm with pleasure.

– Converting to Islam.

– At the end of menstruation.

– Post-natal bleeding.

Description of Ritual Bath:

– Have the intention.

– Say “Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem”.

– Wash hands three times.

– Clean the private parts.

– Perform ablution.

– Pour water over head three times.

– Wash the entire body, starting from the right side of the body and then the left.

 Tayammum (dry ablution)

It has some conditions as follows:

– The person is too sick to use water.

– The person cannot find water to perform ablution or ritual bath.

– The soil must be pure.

Description of Tayammum:

– Have the Intention.

– Say “Bismillah Ar-Rahman Ar-Raheem”.

– Strike the soil lightly with the hands.

– Wipe the face and then pass the left palm over the whole back of the right hand and thereafter, pass the right palm over the whole back of the left hand.

Nullifications of Tayammum:

Everything that invalidates ablution or ritual bath also invalidates dry ablution.