Chapter on the Description of Ablution (Wudu)

If it is said: "How can this narration be relied upon when the apparent meaning of the Quran contradicts it? For Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, said: 'And wipe over your heads' (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:6), and the letter 'ba' here indicates attachment and adherence, entering the phrase to indicate that wiping is connected to the head. It does not imply partiality (tab‘id), because using 'ba' to signify partiality is not found in the speech of the Arabs. If this is the case, the apparent meaning requires wiping the entire head." The response is as follows: It is said to them: Our scholars have used this verse to argue that wiping the head and feet can be done over a part of them because they state that the letter "ba" has varying functions in language. At times, it is used for emphasis and attachment (ilsaq), and at other times, it is used for partiality (tab‘id). It is not permissible to interpret it as emphasizing attachment unless absolutely necessary because the natural purpose of speech is to convey meaning, especially when it originates from a wise and knowledgeable speaker. This distinguishes meaningful speech from the words of someone inattentive, dreaming, or rambling. Moreover, "ba" is only used to indicate attachment when the verb does not directly relate to the object by itself, such as in the phrases "I passed by Zaid" (marartu bi-Zaid) or "I went with Amr" (dhahabtu bi-Amr). Here, the actions of passing and going do not inherently extend to the object, so "ba" is introduced to connect the verb to its object. However, if the verb inherently extends to the object, and yet "ba" is added, it indicates an additional meaning - specifically, partiality (tab‘id). For example, in the verse "And wipe over your heads" (Surah Al-Ma'idah 5:6), the verb "wipe" inherently applies to the object without needing "ba". If the verse had said, "And wipe your heads", the meaning would have been complete and self-sufficient. Thus, the addition of "ba" in this context introduces a new meaning, which is partiality, as explained. If we interpret "ba" as mere attachment or emphasis, as some opponents claim, then its inclusion or omission would have no difference, rendering its usage meaningless -and such redundancy cannot be attributed to Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted. If it is argued: "But Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, also said in the verse of tayammum: 'And wipe over your faces and hands' (Surah An-Nisa 4:43), which would imply wiping only part of the face." We respond: This is indeed our position, as we hold that wiping in tayammum is required only on part of the face, specifically the forehead and the eyebrows. Further evidence that "ba" implies partiality is found in narrations.