Miller wrote:In general, we can say":
Ablution is really a cleansing of some parts of the body in preparation for prayer. If one honors God by prayer, then it seems appropriate to wash one's hands, feet, mouth and teeth, in preparation for praising God.
We honor God by first honoring ourselves and we do this with purification of body and mind.
Well said, Miller.
I'd add the following:
Physical purity means cleanliness of the body, clothing and environment. According to the rules of Islam, Muslims should keep their bodies and clothing clean from any impurities, especially the body wastes of humans and animals.
Islam insists on the use of clean water to cleanse the body of impurities. Even the clothing should be perfectly clean from any impurities. For that reason, Muslim bathrooms have a source of running water or pitchers of water next to the toilet.
By removing the impurities, Ablution helps Muslims keep a healthy body.
Ablution also prepares one mentally for Prayer and it also helps concentration in it. It is essential to wash or moisturize these parts of the body to generate concentration because the dispersion of thoughts is due to the keenness of the body's five senses. The centers of the five senses are the eyes, ears, nose mouth, hands and feet. It has been proven from the expertise of neurologists that the chain of thought can be rerouted by cooling fingers of the hands and feet. They also say that concentration of thoughts can be achieved by cooling the nerve-ends. A Muslim stands before his Creator by cooling nerve ends of his body with Ablution water and concentrating all his thoughts for the worship of Allah.
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