The rushuma (Classical Mandaic: ࡓࡅࡔࡅࡌࡀ, romanized: rušuma, lit. 'sign'; sometimes also spelled rushma or rušma) is one of the most commonly recited prayers in Mandaeism. It is a "signing" prayer recited during daily ablutions (rishama).[1] The same word can also be used to refer to the ritual signing gesture associated with the prayer.
The rushuma is numbered as Prayer 104 in E. S. Drower's version of the Qulasta, which was based on manuscript 53 of the Drower Collection (abbreviated DC 53). In Drower's ordering, the Asut Malkia prayer (CP 105) follows the rushuma prayer, while the ʿniana ("response") prayers come before the rushuma.[2]
Rushuma or rushma literally means "sign" or "signing" (ritual gesture). Many lines in the prayer are repeated three times as the reciter signs the rushuma front of the face with his or her fingers.[2]
