Wiping is a generic term denoting contact between what is used to wipe and what is wiped. The word itself neither affirms nor denies that the substance used flows.

Abū Zayd al-Ansārī and others said: “The Arabs say, ‘I have wiped myself for prayer,’” thus calling the whole of ablution “wiping.” However, when a general term encompasses two categories, the customary practice of the Arabs and others is to give one category a specific name and retain the general term for the other. For example, dābbah (“moving creature”) encompasses human beings and other creatures, but since human beings have their own specific name, the general term came to be applied to other creatures. The same is true of the term “animal.” Likewise, “blood relatives” encompasses everyone related by blood, but those entitled to inherit a prescribed share or through residuary succession have their own specific designation.

Similarly, the term “believer” encompasses someone who believes in Allah, His angels, His Books and His messengers, as well as someone who believes in superstition and false objects of worship. The latter category came to have its own specific name—“disbeliever”—while the term “faith” remained exclusive to the former. The same applies to bishārah (“announcing tidings”), and there are many similar examples.

The general term may then be used in both senses, sometimes with a contextual indication and sometimes without qualification. For example, if someone makes a bequest to his blood relatives, it encompasses his relatives, men and women alike.

Thus, the words of the Most High in the verse concerning ablution,

“Wipe over your heads and your feet,”

require that what is denoted by “wiping” be applied to both. Wiping in the restricted sense, without water flowing, and wiping accompanied by flowing water are both called “wiping.” The verse therefore requires the element common to both cases, and nothing in its wording precludes, in the case of the feet,