Wudu-Ablution
1: Creed 2: Manners 3: Character 4: Act of Worship 5: Deeds
- Purification-Make Pure
- The Manners of Relieving
- Wudu–Ablution
- The Adhan & Iqama
- Ghusl–Full Bath
- Tayammum–Dry Ablution
- Masah–pass wet hand over feet
- Menstruation Postnatal Bleeding
- Salat–Namaz-Salat
- Funeral Regulation
Purification – The Ruling of Purification
Its Legislation: Whdhu’ or ablution has been instituted both the Quran and the Sunnah.
Allah the Almighty says: O you who believe! When you intend to offer Salah (the prayer) , wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles (5:6)
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
« لَا تُقْبَلُ صَلَاةُ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا أَحْدَثَ حَتَّي ىَتَوَضَّأَ »
Salah (the prayer) of anyone of you will not be accepted if he has a minor impurity until he performs ablution. (Al-Bukhari)
Virtues of Wudu:
There are great virtues for ablution, as testified to in the saying of the Messenger ﷺ:
«أَلَا أَدُلُّكُمْ عَلَي مَا ىَمْحُو اللهُ بِهِ الخْطَايَا، وَيَرْفَعُ الدَّرَجَاتِ؟»
Should I guide you to that for which Allah will wipe out your sins, and will raise your ranks?
The companions of Holy Prophet s.a.w said: “yes indeed, O Messenger of Allah.”
Holy Prophet Said: When the Muslim or the believing servant performs ablution and washes his face, each sin he has committed by his eyes washes away with the water – or with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, each sin his hands have committed washes away with the water – or with the last drop of water – until he becomes free of sin. (Malik)
The Obligatory Elements of Wudu:
1: Intention, that is the hearts determination to perform wudhu’ in response to the commandment of Allah.
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said:
«إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ»
Deeds are judged by their intentions. (Agreed upon)
2: Washing the face form the forehead to under the chin, from the left earlobe to the right earlobe.
Allah the Almighty said: So wash your faces. (5:6)
- 3: Washing the two arms up to the elbows.
Allah says: And wash your arms up to the elbows. (5:6)
- 4: Rubbing the head with wet hands form the forehead to the nape of the neck.
Allah the Almighty said: And pass your wet hands) on your heads. (5:6)
- 5: Washing the feet to the ankles.
Allah the Almighty says: And wash your feet up to the ankles. (5:6)
- 6: Performing the above mentioned in the ordained sequence. Washing the face first, the two arms, rubbing the head with one’s wet hands, then washing the feet up to the ankles.
- 7: Continuity, by not pausing between these actions. One is not to stop performing an act of worship after having begun it. This is not allowed as Allah says.
Allah the Almighty says: And render not vain your deeds. (47:33)
A short pause is pardonable, or stopping because of a sudden shortage of water, or the water supply was cut off, regardless of the time it lasts. Allah the Almighty does not tasks a soul beyond its ability.
It should be noted that some scholars hold the view that rubbing the parts washed for ablution is obligatory, while others consider it a Sunnah. The fact is that it is part of the completeness of washing the parts so it should not be given a distinct name or ruling.
The Sunan Elements:
- 1: Saying: «بِسْمِ اللهِ» Bismillaah. “In the Name of Allah.”
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ says:
«لَا وُضُوءَ لِـمَنْ لَمْ يَذْكُرِ اسْمُ اللهِ عَلَيْهِ»
There is no Wudhu’ for one who does not mention the Name of Allah for it. (Ahmd)
- 2: Washing the two hands thrice before dipping them in the water container after awaking from sleep.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إِذَا اسْتَيْقَظَ أَحَدُكُمْ مِنْ نَوْمِهِ، فَلَا يَغْمِسْ يَدَهُ فِي الإِنَاءِ حَتَّى يَغْسِلَهَا ثَلَاثًا ، فَإِنَّهُ لَا يَدْرِي أَيْنَ بَاتَتْ يَدُهُ
When not of you awakens, let him dip his hands in the container unless he washes them thrice; since he does not know where his hands were while he was sleeping. (Agreed upon)
When not having arisen from sleep, then he is not prohibited from entering his hands into the container to remove the water with them so he can wash his hands three times as is the Sunnah for ablution.
- 3: Using Siwak-Miswak: A stick from the Arak tree which is used for brushing the teeth and gums.
Allah’s Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid:
«لَوْ لَا أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي لَأَمَرْتُهُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ مَعَ كُلِّ وُضُوءٍ»
Had it not been difficult for my nation. I would have commanded them to use Siwak-Miswak for every ablution.(Muslim)
- 4: Rinsing one’s mouth by taking water, stirring it, then spitting it.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ says:
«إِذَا تَوَضَّأْتَ فَمَضْمَضَ»
when you performs ablution, rinse your mouth. (Abu Dawud)
- 5: Sniffing water in the nose and blowing it out.
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said:
«وَبَالِغْ فِي الْاِسْتِنْشَاقِ إِلَّا أَنْ تَكُونَ صَائِمًا»
Exaggerate in rinsing the nostrils unless your are fasting. (Ahmad, Abu Dawud)
- 6: Penetrating the hair of the beard. When a man wondered at what ‘Amar bin Yasar, may Allah be pleased with him, was doing (letting the water reach the hair roots of hisBeard). Someone was surprised to see it. ‘Amar r.a said to him: “What prevents me form doing so if I saw the Messenger of Allah doing it.” (Ahmad and At-Tirmithi)
- 7: Performing the acts of ablution thrice. The obligation is only one time, but washing each limb three times is a supererogatory act.
- 8: Wiping the inner and the outer area of the ears with one’s wet hands as the Messenger of Allah ﷺ did.
- 9: Letting the water reach between the fingers and the toes.
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said:
«إِذَا تَوَضَّأْتَ فَخَلِّلْ أَصَابِعَ يَدَيْكَ وَرِجْلَيْكَ»
When you perform ablution, let the water reach between your fingers and toes. (Ahmad At-Tirmithi)
- 10: Washing the right limbs – the right hand and the right foot – first.
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said:
«إِذَا تَوَضَّأْتُمْ فَابْدَءُوا بِمِيَامِنِكُمْ»
When you perform ablution, begin with the limbs on the right. (Ahmad and At-Tirmithi)
‘A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺliked starting with the right: when putting on his footwear, combing his hair, for purification, and in all his affairs.” (Agree upon)
- 11: While washing the limbs, one should let the water reach more than the prescribed limits, i.e. when washing the face, it should include under the chin. When washing the hands, the waters should be extended to the upper-arms . When washing the feet, the water should be extended to above the ankles.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
إِنَّ أُمَّتِي يَأْتُونَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ غُرًّا مُحَجَّلِينَ مِنْ آثَارِ الْوُضُوءِ ، فَمَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يُطِيلَ غُرَّتَهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ
ON the Day Resurrection my nation will come with marked white foreheads and white ankles form the effects of their ablution. Thus, whoever of you is able to expand the brightness of his face and feet, then let him do so. (Agreed upon)
- 12: While wiping the head with one’s wet hands, the Muslim should start with its front part up to the nape. It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺwiped his head with his wet hands starting with the front to the nape then form the nape to where he started. (Agreed upon)
- 13: Supplicating with Ablution:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِين
Ashhadu an laa ilaaha illaallah, wahdahu laa Shareeka lah, wa ashadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh. Allaahumma aj’alnee minat-tawaabeen, waaj’alnee minal-mutatahireen.
I testify that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah ascribing to no partners to Him. And I testify that Muhammad is his servant and Messenger. O Allah! Enroll me among those who turn in repentance to you and enroll me among those who purify themselves.
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said: Whoever performs ablution will then said: “I testify that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah…” (as mentioned above) the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him to enter through any one he wills. (Muslim)
Things that are Disliked During Ablution:
- 1: Performing ablution in an impure place where it is feared that some filthy matter may splash on one’s garment or body.
- 2: Washing any limb more than three times, it is narrated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ washed each of the limbs three times for ablution and said:
«مَنْ زَادَ فَقَدْ أَسَاءَ وَ ظَلَمَ»
Whoever exceeds this, has acted wrongfully and unjustly. (Ahmad and Ibn Majah)
- 3: Using an excessive amount of water. Allah’s Messenger ﷺ performed ablution with one Mudd only:A Mudd is the amount that two hands held together would carry. (At-Tirmithi) Excessiveness is prohibited in every matter.
- 4: Neglecting any of the Sunnah elements of ablution; since by neglecting it one neglects a reward.
- 5: Performing ablution with the water left over from a woman’s purification. The Messenger of Allah ﷺprohibited this. (At-Tirmithi)
The Manner\Way of Performing Ablution:
The water container is set at one’s right side if possible.
He says: «بِسْمِ اللهِ» Bismillaah “In the Name of Allah.”
Then he pours water on his hands, and washes them three times with the intention to perform ablution. Then he rinses his mouth three times, then he sniffs water and blows it out of the nose three times. He washes his face from the forehead to the chin and form the right earlobe to the left three times. He washes his right hand up to the elbow three times letting the water reach between his fingers. He does the same with his left hand. He wipes his head with wet hands only one time, beginning with the forehead to the nape of he neck, then returning it to the place where he began, he wipes his right ear internally and externally using whatever water is left form wiping his head or with a little more water if there is insufficient water left after rubbing the head; then he does the same with the left ear. Then, he says: “I testify that none has the right to be worshiped except Allah ascribing no partners with Him and that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah! Enroll me among those who purify themselves.” (As mentioned above)
‘Ali Bin Abu Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, performed ablution in the following manner: He washed his hands until they were entirely clean, rinsed his mouth thrice, cleansed his nostrils thrice, washed his face thrice, washed his hands and forearms thrice, wiped his head with his wet hands once, then he washed his feet to the ankles: afterwards he said: “I wanted to show you the purification of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ . (At-Tirmithi)
What Invalidates Ablution:
- 1: Any discharge of urine, prostatic fluid, a discharge from the urethra, sperm, stool, or passing of gas. These are referred to as Hadath, and they are mentioned in the saying of Allah’s Messenger ﷺ:
«لَا يَقْبَلُ اللهُ صَلَاةَ أَحَدِكُمْ إِذَا أَحْدَثَ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ»
Allah does not accept the Salah of anyone of you, who committed a Hadath until he performs ablution. (Al-Bukahri)
- 2: Deep sleep while reclining.
Allah’s Messenger ﷺ said:
«اَلْعَيْنُ وِكَاءُ السِّهِ، فَمَنْ نَامَ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ»
The eye is an indicator of wakefulness, so let him who sleeps perform ablution.
- 3: Unconsciousness due to fainting, intoxication, madness; since in such a state man does not know whether his ablution is valid or invalid.
- 4: Touching the sexual organ with one’s palm and fingers.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid:
«مَنْ مَسَّ ذَكَرَهُ فَلَا يُصَلِّ حَتَّى يَتَوَضَّأَ»
Whoever touches his penis, let him not perform Salah until he performs ablution. (At-Tirmithi)
- 5: Apostasy such as saying a statement of disbelief. This renders one’s ablution and all his acts of worship invalid.
Allah the Almighty says: If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely, (all) your deeds will be in vain. (39:65)
- 6: Eating camel mean. A man asked Allah’s Messenger ﷺ: “Do we perform ablution after eating of mutton?”
He ﷺreplied:
«إِنْ شِئْتَ»
If you will.)) the man asked: “Do we perform ablution after eating camel meant?” The Messenger of Allah ﷺreplied:
«نَعَمْ» Yes. (Muslim)
The majority of the Companions held the view that it is not necessary to perform ablution after eating camel meat, since this Hadith was abrogated. The majority of the Companions – the four rightly guided Khalifahs among them – did not perform ablution after eating camel meat.
- 7: Touching a woman lustfully; since the objective of sexual desire, like its practice, nullifies ablution. The proof for which is the order to renew ablution for touching the penis since doing so incites desire. It is recorded in Al-Muwatta that Ibn ‘Umar r.a said, “kissing one’s wife and fondling her are forms of ‘touching,’ so whoever kisses his wife or fondles her, he must perform ablution.”
When Ablution is Recommended:
Ablution is recommended for the following cases:
- 1: Those who suffer form excessive urine, or passing wind excessively. Each of them has to perform Wudh’ for each Salah; in analogy to Al-Mustahadhah
- 2: Al-Mustahadhah, which refers to the case when a woman has excessive bleeding outside of her menstrual cycle. It is recommended for her to perform ablution for each prayer.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid to Faimah bint Abu Hubaysh:
«ثُمَّ تَوَضَّيِء لِكُلِّ صَلَاةٍ»
Then perform ablution for every Salah. (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmithi, An-Nasa’i)
- 3: When one washes the body of a dead person or directly touches their skin while carrying them.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺsaid:
«مَنْ غَسَلَ مَيِّتًا فَلْيَغْتَسِلْ، وَمَنْ حَمَلَهُ فَلْيَتَوَضَّأْ»
Whoever washed a dead person or carried one, let him perform ablution.
Although this is a weak Hadith,the people of knowledge recommend ablution in this case out of precaution.
