Ta'mim (generalisation in purification, supplication and alms)

التعميم

Ta'mim means in language making a thing general and comprehensive, and the jurists use it in this sense. ¹ In ablution every part that must be washed must be reached by water. Except al-Zuhri, the jurists agree that the ears are not part of the face; the Hanbalis differ on the inside of mouth and nose and make them obligatory, while the other three schools require only the outer nose. ^{1 2} Clay or dough stuck under the nails must be removed so that water reaches the skin; some Hanafis and Shafiis excuse the baker and the clay worker, and the Malikis excuse nail dirt unless it is excessive. ² In the full bath the whole body must be reached, with the inside of mouth and nose a point of dispute: the Hanafis and Hanbalis require it, the Malikis and Shafiis do not. Water must reach the roots of hair, and plaited locks must be unbraided if water cannot reach beneath. ^{2 3} In tayammum the schools differ on covering the face: the Malikis, Shafiis and Hanbalis require covering the whole face, including the beard; the Hanafis hold the covering of the face and hands a condition, not a pillar. ^{3 4} Generality in supplication is recommended. A report that the dearest prayer to God is one that asks mercy for the community of Muhammad as a whole was given by al-Khatib, and Ibn Adi rejected it; a bedouin who prayed for himself and Muhammad only was told he had narrowed a wide mercy. ⁴ Covering all eight categories of zakat recipients is not obligatory for most jurists; the Shafiis require it. ⁴ A general invitation to a feast (al-juffa) may be accepted by most jurists; the Hanbalis allow it with dislike. ⁴