Takhlil (passing water between fingers, hair and teeth; vinegar from wine)

Takhlil is passing water between the fingers, separating the hair of the beard and head, clearing what lies between the teeth, and turning wine into vinegar. Its rulings in purification range from obligation to sunna and recommendation. ^{1 2}

In Arabic, takhlil means separating the hair of the beard and the fingers of the hands and feet. One says a man "khallala his beard" when he brings water to its roots; one clears the teeth when he removes what food remains in them; and one makes wine vinegar (khallala al-nabidh). ¹

Bringing water between the fingers of the hands and feet is obligatory in wudu and ghusl for all jurists. ¹ When water has already entered between the fingers, the Hanafis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis hold takhlil to be sunna, following the Prophet ﷺ's words to Laqit ibn Sabra: complete the wudu and pass between the fingers. The Malikis in the preferred view make takhlil obligatory for the fingers of the hands and recommended for the feet. ² In ghusl, the Hanafis hold takhlil of the fingers of both hands and feet sunna; the Malikis in the accepted view make it obligatory for the feet. ²

Wiping the face and hands is obligatory in tayammum without dispute, and the place of obligation must be covered. If dust has not reached between the fingers, takhlil is obligatory. ^{2 4} After wiping the hands the Shafi'is and Hanbalis recommend takhlil as a precaution; the preferred Maliki view requires covering the hands up to the wrists along with takhlil. ⁴

The Hanafis and Shafi'is do it by interlacing the fingers. The Malikis and Hanbalis insert the fingers of one hand between those of the other; the Hanbalis and Malikis do not dislike interlacing in wudu, though some Malikis do, citing a hadith of Abu Hurayra (may God be pleased with him). ⁴ For the feet it is recommended to begin with the little toe of the right foot and end with the left, which is agreed. The Hanafis and Hanbalis use the little finger of the left hand, since it is more effective at removing dirt; the Shafi'is allow either little finger; the Malikis use the index fingers. ^{4 5}

A thin beard, through which the skin shows, must have its outer surface washed and water brought beneath it; combing it is not enough. A thick beard must have its outer surface washed, and its inner side need not be washed, by agreement. ^{5 6} The Hanafis, Shafi'is and Hanbalis hold that a thick beard should be passed through with the fingers, on the report of Anas. In ghusl water must reach the roots of the beard, and the washer puts his fingers in to carry water to the roots. Head hair must have its roots watered in ghusl by agreement, thick or thin. ^{5 6 7} The Malikis require passing the fingers through thick head hair; the Hanafis dislike takhlil for one in ihram. ⁷

Brushing the teeth with a siwak is a sunna of the natural practice; its details are under the entry on siwak. Clearing the teeth after eating, to remove food, is treated among the manners of eating; it is recommended when food sticks, and done after finishing, not during the meal. ⁷ Takhlil with iron or the like is disliked, and with a tool of gold or silver is forbidden by all four schools. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis dislike swallowing what the picking brings out; the Malikis allow it unless it is mixed with blood. ³

When wine turns to vinegar by itself, with its qualities gone, the vinegar is lawful and pure, since the cause of impurity is intoxication and that is gone. The same holds, in the majority view, if it is moved from sun to shade or back. ³ Jurists differ on adding something to wine, such as vinegar, onion or salt, to make vinegar. The Shafi'is and Hanbalis hold that this is not lawful and does not purify, citing the hadith of Anas on the question whether wine may be made into vinegar. The Hanafis, and the preferred Maliki view, allow it, and it then becomes pure and lawful. ³ The full treatment of wine is under its own entry. ³