Wodu

Wodu one of the sacred lustrations authorized by the Koran. The principal parts of this institution are six:

(1) intention, (2) the washing of the entire face, (3) the washing of the hands and forearms up to the elbows, (4) the rubbing of some parts of the head, (5) the washing of the feet as far as the ankles, and (6) observance of the prescribed order.

The institutes of the traditional law about this lustration are ten:

(1) the preparatory formula, "In the name of the most merciful God," must be used; (2) the palms must be washed before the hands are put into the basin; (3) the mouth must be cleansed; (4) water must be drawn through the nostrils; (5) the entire head and ears must be rubbed; (6) if the beard be thick, the fingers must be drawn through it;

(7) the toes must be separated; (8) the right hand and foot should be washed before the left; (9) these ceremonies must be thrice repeated; (10) the whole must be performed in uninterrupted succession. SEE ABLUTION.