Water and Faith: Purification as a Ritual in Cultures and Religions Worldwide
An exploration of the connection between water and faith in different parts of the world.
Water has great importance as a cleansing agent in many cultures and religions. It is not only important for physical hygiene but also for spiritual cleansing. Many believers perform rituals to cleanse their souls of sins and negativity.
In Hinduism, for example, bathing in the Ganges is an important purification practice. They take a bath in the river to free their soul from sins and complete their spiritual purification.
In Judaism there is the ritual of the mikveh, a ritual bath that is taken for various purposes such as physical cleansing after menstruation or spiritual cleansing before special holidays.
In Christianity there is the sacrament of baptism, in which water is used as a symbol of cleansing from sins.
In many indigenous cultures, water is used for cleansing rituals to purify the body and soul. For example, in North American culture, the Sweat Lodge is used to sweat and cleanse the body.
In Islam, purity is a central part of the faith. Muslims perform ablutions daily.
Knowledge of a Muslim woman on the subject of ablution:
Guest article by Muslim influencer @ela_voice
Bidetlity and Ritual Purity
“Allah loves those who repent, and He loves those who keep themselves pure.” [9:108]
Did you know that it is part of the basic purity of every Muslim to perform ablution after each bowel movement, ideally with water?
Did you know that it is not just about general ablution [wudu], but about fundamental purity?
In practice, this means that whenever something comes out of the Muslim's natural excretory organs, he has lost the state of purity.
- The removal of these impurities is therefore a prerequisite for general physical purity
- the removal of this impurity [Nāgãsa] is primarily recommended with water, pure water
One tradition states:
(…..) Anas Ibn Malik(r) reported:
"When the Prophet (sas) went out to relieve himself, I (sas) followed him (sas) accompanied by a boy, and each of us carried a small water skin."
So we see that despite the variety of cleaning methods, cleaning with water is the preferred option because it removes all traces of impurities.
This is where Bidetlity comes into play.
If you are a Muslim, you probably have the same struggle in your daily life as most of us:
- Watering can or PET bottle belongs to your bathroom furnishings
- Keeping it clean while traveling is not that easy
- at work/university you don't dare to go to the toilet with a PET bottle
Bidetlity also makes everyday life easier for us Muslims and thus the observance of our rituals!
Bidetlity is:
- visually aesthetic and fits into any interior
- perfect for work / university
- ideal for on the go (rollable)
- an extreme simplification of purity
- easy for children to handle
- practical & effective due to the bent head
- economical (replaces wet wipes/reduces the use of toilet paper
Regardless of the specific religious practice, water is an important element to achieve both physical and spiritual purification. It is a symbol of purity and renewal and has profound meaning in many cultures and religions around the world.
