Chapter on Cleansing Oneself After Relieving Oneself

Introduction:

Know that Allah has bestowed upon us His outward and inward blessings: food, drink, clothing, shelter, and other innumerable blessings that cannot be counted.

In food and drink, there are blessings that precede their consumption and blessings that follow it.

As for those that precede it: this water that we drink did not come to us through our own might or power. Allah Most High says:

“Have you considered the water that you drink? Is it you who bring it down from the clouds, or is it We Who bring it down?” [al-Waqi‘ah]

And He Most High says:

“Say, ‘Have you considered: if your water were to sink deep into the earth, then who could bring you flowing water?’” [al-Mulk]

And He Most High says:

“And We sent down water from the sky and gave it to you to drink; and you are not its keepers.” [al-Hijr: 22]

Thus, Allah Most High has made clear to us His blessing in the water that descends from the sky and springs forth from the earth.

Regarding the food we eat, Allah Most High says:

“Have you considered what you cultivate? Is it you who cause it to grow, or is it We Who cause it to grow? If We willed, We could reduce it to chaff, and you would be left wondering.” [al-Waqi‘ah]

This is a tremendous blessing from Allah. He is the One Who causes it to grow and develops it until it reaches maturity. He has also made available to us the means by which it may be harvested and gathered, then ground and cooked, besides the many other blessings involved.

Some scholars said: No food is placed before you without there being three hundred and sixty blessings in it (1). This is what can be perceived—so what of that which cannot be perceived?