Purification

19 International University in Latin America The Book of Taharah (Purification) (1) Introduction to the book Purification is the key to prayer which is the main pillar of the religion, and this is why the books of fiqh are begun with this topic being a precondition for the validity of prayer. Purification should be maintained both inwardly and outwardly, and the present study covers the latter. Inward purification is not tackled in books of fiqh but rather in the Books of Raqa'iq (Heart Softeners). Being outwardly pure is not enough and one should not neglect to purify the inward as well. We get purified to stand before Allah in prayer which is supposed to act as a purifier of one's soul and heart. This is the assertion of the Qur`anic verse that reads, QGG Y…and establish prayer! Verily, prayer preserves from lewdness and iniquity …P [29:45]. (1) The word "kitaab" (book) was used by the scholars to refer to several related topics gathered together. Each book - like the book of prayers or fasting - would include many chapters called "bab"s (literally, doors). The books were called so because they are several paragraphs gathered and the root of the word "kataba" refers to gathering. The chapters are called doors because they open a door for the student to exit from ignorance to knowledge. 20 International University in Latin America The outward impurities are of two types: Ritual impurities and physical ones. The ritual impurities are minor or major; the former is removed by wudu` (minor ablution) and the latter by ghusl (major ablution) both with water. In case water is not available, tayammum (dry ablution) is allowable instead. Physical purification: it is the act of removing the filthy objects which afflict one's body or garment or place of worship. Such a type of impurity is removed by water or any equivalent liquid that can remove the impurity. So if one is ritually pure and then some filthy object afflicted him, he will need only to remove such impurity without making new wudu`. These topics and many other details related to purification will be tackled in this chapter which is covered in five units as follows: