Q&A - Method of Wudhu
Q. Assalamualaikum I would also like to know the correct way for Wudu as I get a lot of people confusing me with different ways.
A. Wa'alaikum assalaam First it's important to understand what is 'washing'. According to Shariah, for something to be 'washed', at least 2 drops of water has to FLOW over that item. Just rubbing wet hands over something would not count as washing but would be considered as Masah according to the Shariah. (I mention this important matter as I've personally witnessed many people simply wetting their hands and rubbing these wet hands over their face or arms. This does not qualify as washing. Water MUST flow over those body parts.) Also, being a women, you should make sure that you perform your wudhu in a concealed area (or with the bathroom locked). Because the areas of your body which would be exposed is regarded as Satr, and it is Haraam for a ghair Mahram male to see these parts. Those women who do not wear hijaab properly should also be aware of this. The sin is on both the person looking as well as the one being looked. Let's first discuss the Faraa'idh (Compulsory aspects) of Wudhu There are four points in ablution that are compulsory. 1. To wash the face. Meaning from the beginning of the forehead where hair starts growing upto the bottom of the chin. Also from the one ear to the other ear. To ensure that the skin of the face is washed at least once leaving no part dry. 2. To wash both arms upto and including the elbows at least once. 3. To perform Masah of at least one quarter of the head. Meaning to run wet hands over at least a quarter of the head so that the hair gets slightly wet. (According to the Shaf'ee Mazhab,, the minimum requirement is that at least 3 strands of hair are wet) 4. To wash both feet upto the ankles at least once. The above four aspects are obligatory in ablution (wudhu). Except for these, whatever else that would be mentioned are either Sunnat (Sunnat-e-Mu'akadah/Sunnah-e-Ghair Muakadah / emphasised/non emphasised sunnah) or Mustahhab (desirable). There are many Sunnah and Mustahabaat in ablution and if you would like to know these in detail, then consult larger books such as 'Bahaar-e-Shariat' or 'Fatawa-e-Razvia'. Insha'Allah - there is a section in Al-Malfooz that covers some aspects of Wudhu, any members out their willing to volunteer to type them out? I would make arrangements to get the Arabic supplications scanned. METHOD OF WUDHU When you want to perform ablution, follow these steps: First of all make the intention of ablution and then say 'Bismillla Hirrahma Nirrahim' and wash both hands upto the wrists. One should also make a habit of reading durood shareef before and after the wudhu. It is also better if one prays 'Bismilla' and durood shareef when washing every part. Then brush with a Siwak/Miswak (clean teeth with a wooden stick). Then by using the right hand, take water into your mouth and gargle three times. Wash the inside of the mouth, ensuring that the water reaches upto the throat and also all the gums and underneath the tongue. If there is anything stuck on or between the teeth, then release it. Make sure water reaches everywhere inside the mouth. Then by using the right hand again, take water and suck up the water in the nose until it reaches the bone of the nose. Clean the insides of the nostrils by using the left hand thumb and little finger. Do this also three times. After this, take water into both hands (cupped) and wash the whole of the face three times. From the start of the forehead, where the hair begins to grow, down to and including the chin. Also from the right ear lobe to the left one. When doing this, make sure you do not close your eyes too tightly as this would cause creases in your skin and water may not reach in-between those parts. Once again ensure that no place is left dry. Males with beard should wash thier beard so that the water reaches the chin, they should also run their fingers through the beard. (Men without beard should know that they are open sinners as it is Waajib to grow the beard!) Washing the right arm first three times and then the left arm three times - both arms should be washed from the wrist upto and including the elbows three times. Then perform Masah of the whole head once. This is done by first wetting both hands, then join the fingertips of 3 fingers (middle, ring and small fingers leaving out the index fingers and the thumbs). Then brush the joint fingers over the hair, starting from the forehead and ending at the back of the neck. This is done once, ensuring that the palms of the hands and the index fingers and thumbs do not touch the head. Now bring fourth the hands by using the palms and rubbing them at either side of the head. Then clean the inside of the ears by using the index fingers and clean the back of the ears using the thumbs. Now wash the back of the neck by rubbing the back of the hands on either side of the neck, but ensure that the hands do not go on the throat as this is Makrooh (disliked). Then wash the right foot, from the toes upto and including the ankles, three times. The perform the same three times for the left foot. Ensure that you wash between the toes. The small finger of the left hand may be used to clean between the toes. When washing the right foot start from the big toe moving to the small, and when washing the left foot, start from the small toe and move towards the big toe. The ablution (Wuzu) is complete and so pray this Du'aa ; 'Allahummajalni Minattawwabeena Wajalni Minal Mutatahhireen' (As I mentioned, I will load these in arabic in due time) Then look and raise your Kalima/index finger of the right hand towards the sky and recite the Kalima Shahaadat. Then take water thrice into the right hand and drink it each time, as this is reported as a cure for illnesses. The above is the method of performing Ablution. Out of these some actions are obligatory (as mentioned) and if they were missed the ablution would not count. Some aspects are Sunnat and to miss it deliberately would be an act of punishment. Some aspects are Mustahhab and to miss them would mean a reduction in reward. We should always try to perform as many sunnats as possible so that we can get the maximum reward insha'Allah. Allahu waRasoolahu a'alamu.