gh-w-t

Description

The Arabic root غ-و-ط (gh-w-ṭ) carries the core meaning of going to a low or concealed place, particularly for relieving oneself, which is why it came to refer to defecation and toilets. In the Quran, this root appears in the term "al-ghā'iṭ" (الغائط), which is used as a euphemistic reference to answering the call of nature when discussing ritual purity requirements before prayer. The Quranic usage demonstrates the Islamic emphasis on cleanliness and proper purification, establishing that after attending to such bodily needs, ablution (wudu) is necessary to restore the state of ritual purity required for worship.