As outbreaks of the coronavirus spread throughout the world, people are reminded over and again to limit physical contact,\u00a0wash hands\u00a0and avoid touching their face. The recent Netflix docuseries \u201cPandemic: How to Prevent an Outbreak\u201d illustrates how the Islamic ritual washing, known as \u201cwudu,\u201d may help spread a good hygiene message.<\/p>\n
The series focuses on Syra Madad, a Muslim public health specialist in a New York hospital, who takes a break to say her prayers at the Islamic Center of New York University. Before entering the prayer room, Madad stops to perform wudu, and washes her mouth and face as well as her feet.<\/p>\n
Islamic law requires Muslims to ritually purify their body before praying. As a scholar of Islamic studies who\u00a0researches\u00a0ritual practices among Muslims, I have found that these practices contain both spiritual and physical benefits.<\/p>\n
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The Prophet Muhammad left detailed guidance for Muslims on how to live their lives, including how to pray, fast and stay ritually pure. This guidance is available in collections called the Hadith.<\/p>\n
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According to Islamic law, there are minor and major impurities. Minor impurities involve urinating, defecating and sleeping, among other practices. A person of Muslim faith is supposed to perform a\u00a0ritual washing\u00a0of their bodies before praying to get rid of these minor impurities.<\/p>\n
Wudu is to be performed, as was done by the Prophet Muhammad, in\u00a0a specific order\u00a0before praying, which takes place five times a day. Before each prayer, Muslims are expected to wash themselves in a certain order \u2013 first hands, then mouth, nose, face, hair and ears, and finally their ankles and feet.<\/p>\n