Islamic Center of Southern California

Chapter 2

A PRELUDE TO PRAYER (Ritual Purification - Taharah)

Before facing God, their Creator, in prayer, Muslims should be in a state of ritual purity. God, the Almighty says in the Quran:

God loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and those who keep themselves pure. The Quran (2:222)

The Prophet (pbuh) said "purity is half the faith."3

I. PURIFICATION FROM MINOR IMPURITIES: ABLUTION (WUDU):

This applies to purification from the passage of gas, urine or feces.

A. The obligatory acts of ablution

B. Voluntary (sunnah) acts of ablution

C. Acts which nullify ablution

D. Additional rules

II. PURIFICATION FROM MAJOR IMPURITIES:

Total body wash (GHUSL):

A. Actions mandating ghusl for purification

III. SYMBOLIC DRY PURIFICATION (TAYAMMUM):

Tayammum literally means purposely going to. In Islamic law, it refers to seeking soil with the intention of rubbing therewith lightly over the face and hands to prepare for prayer.

A. Legal basis for tayammum

B. When tayammum is permitted

C. Requirements for tayammum and how it is done

Islamic Center of Southern California