Water+and+Islam

The Islamic uses of water are based on the purification process of bathing. There are three ideas of bathing, or ablutions, that Muslims follow: •Ghusl is the washing of the whole body. This is recommended before Friday prayer, before the two main feasts during Ramadan, and before touching the Koran. Ghusl must be done to the dead before burial. (See Water and Hinduism for an example of another religion with a similar practice)

•Wudu is the washing done to remove minor impurity from everyday life. This must be done before each of the five daily prayers by washing the face, hands, and feet. This helps Muslims clear away all of their distractions during the day and fully submit to Allah.

•The third form of bathing is done when water is not available. In this case pure sand can be used.

Bibliography: Costecalde, Dr. Claude-Bernard. The Illustrated Family Bible. New York, New York: DK Publishing, Inc., 1997. Encyclopedia: Cavendish, Richard. "Water." Man, Myth & Magic. 1970. http://www.bbc.com http://www.sacredland.org/world_sites_pages/Ganges.html