مسح

Core meaning

To pass the hand over a surface: over the face, the hands or the head in the rite, over the legs and necks of horses.

Uses

1. فَٱمْسَحُوا۟, وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ → "wipe" : the gesture of the rite: over the head with water, over the face and hands with a wholesome outcrop.

   • «وَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِرُءُوسِكُمْ» — "and wipe your heads" (5:6)
   • «فَٱمْسَحُوا۟ بِوُجُوهِكُمْ وَأَيْدِيكُمْ» — "and wipe your faces and your hands with it" (4:43)

2. مَسْحًۢا → "stroking" : the same movement of the hand, made out of attachment.

   • «فَطَفِقَ مَسْحًۢا بِٱلسُّوقِ وَٱلْأَعْنَاقِ» — "And he set about stroking their legs and necks" (38:33)

Evidence from the text

In 4:43 and 5:6 the verb is built with بِـ: one passes the hand over the face, over the head; it is the gesture of the rite, with water or, lacking water, with a wholesome outcrop.

In 38:33 the verbal noun says the same movement of the hand, this time over the horses brought back.

Distinctions

• غسل — to wash with water; مسح only passes the hand