Chapter Four: Gnosis of the Esoteric Aspect of Ablution and the Spiritual Personifications of the Limbs that Wash

The trustworthy Sheikh, Abu al-Husayn Muhammad ibn 'Ali al-Jali (may Allah be pleased with him), narrated regarding ablution (wudu) and its conditions, the spiritual personifications of all the limbs that are washed with water, and the wiping of the head; he (may Allah be pleased with him) said:

"Ablution in its entirety is the taking of the knowledge of the Mim from the Sin. Thus, you begin it with 'In the Name of Allah' (Bismillah); so 'Bism' is the Sin, and 'Allah' is the Mim. Then, the washing of the hand before placing it into the vessel, and that is an etiquette (adab) and not an obligation (faridha). Then, the washing of the face, which is an obligation, as Allah the Almighty—Exalted be His Name—said:{"When you rise for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows."}¹