Ablution Wadu

Step-by-Step Guide to Wudu (Ablution)

1. Preparing for Wudu

• Face the Qiblah and sit on an elevated surface to prevent water from splashing.
• Begin with Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem.

2. Washing Hands and Mouth

• Wash hands up to the wrists three times.
• Rinse the mouth three times and use a miswak (tooth-stick).
• If miswak is unavailable, use a cloth or a finger to clean the teeth.
• If not fasting, gargle thoroughly; if fasting, avoid deep gargling to prevent swallowing water.

3. Cleaning the Nose and Face

• Rinse the nose three times using the left hand to clean inside.
• If fasting, avoid letting water go beyond the soft bone.
• Wash the entire face three times, ensuring water reaches:
  
  • From the hairline to below the chin.
  • From ear to ear, including under the eyebrows.

4. Washing the Hands and Arms

• Wash the right hand up to the elbow, ensuring no area remains dry.
• Wash the left hand up to the elbow in the same manner.
• Perform khilaal (passing fingers through each other).
• Remove rings or jewelry to ensure proper washing.

5. Performing Masah (Wiping with Wet Hands)

• Masah of the head: Pass wet hands over the entire head.
• Masah of the ears:
  
  • Insert index fingers into the ears and wipe the back of the ear lobes with the thumbs.
  • No need for fresh water; use the leftover water from head masah.
• Masah of the neck: Wipe the back of the neck with the backs of the fingers.
  
  • Avoid wiping the throat, as this is not part of masah.

6. Washing the Feet

• Wash the right foot, including the ankle, ensuring no dry spots.
• Wash the left foot in the same manner.
• Perform khilaal of the toes using the little finger of the left hand.
• Begin from the little toe of the right foot and end at the little toe of the left foot.

Fard (Compulsory) Acts of Wudu

There are four fard (obligatory) acts in wudu:

1. Washing the entire face once.
2. Washing both hands up to and including the elbows once.
3. Performing masah (wiping) over one-quarter of the head once.
4. Washing both feet up to and including the ankles once.

If any of these acts are left out, or even a small area as little as a hair’s breadth remains dry, the wudu will be incomplete.

Sunnah Acts of Wudu

1. Saying “Bismillahir Rahmaanir Raheem” before starting.
2. Washing both hands up to the wrists.
3. Rinsing the mouth.
4. Cleaning the nose.
5. Using a miswaak (tooth-stick).
6. Performing masah over the entire head.
7. Washing each part three times.
8. Performing masah over the ears.
9. Performing khilaal (passing fingers through) of the fingers and toes.

Mustahab (Recommended) Acts of Wudu

• Once the four fard acts are completed, wudu is considered valid, regardless of whether one intended to perform wudu or not. For example:
  • Pouring water over the entire body during bathing.
  • Falling into a river or standing in the rain, ensuring all wudu limbs are wet.
  • However, without the intention of wudu, one does not earn the spiritual reward (thawaab).
• Wudu should be performed in the prescribed order. If the sequence is altered (e.g., washing the feet first), wudu remains valid but is contrary to the Sunnah.
• Washing the left hand or foot first is permissible but goes against the preferred method.
• Each limb should be washed before the previously washed limb dries to maintain the Sunnah practice.
• It is Sunnah to pass the hand over each limb while washing to ensure thoroughness.
• Preparing for wudu and salah before the prayer time is preferable.
• Wudu should be performed independently without seeking assistance, unless necessary.
• Engaging in worldly talk during wudu should be avoided. Instead, recite Bismillah and the Kalimah while washing each part.
• Water should not be wasted, even if available in abundance, but should also not be used insufficiently.
• Washing each limb more than three times is discouraged.
• Water should not be splashed forcefully or with unnecessary sounds.
• Eyes and mouth should not be shut tightly, ensuring no dry spots remain.
• Loose rings, bangles, or bracelets should be moved to allow water to reach the skin. If tight, removing them is obligatory.
• If substances like dried dough prevent water from reaching the skin, they must be removed before wudu.
• Any paint or other barriers on the forehead must be cleaned off before washing the face.
• After wudu, recite Surah Al-Qadr and the following supplication: “O Allah! Make me among those who repent, those who are purified, and among Your righteous servants.”
• Performing two rakaats of nafl salah (Tahiyyatul Wudu) after wudu is highly meritorious.
• If a person remains in a state of wudu from one prayer to the next, they may pray without renewing wudu, but renewing wudu earns additional reward.
• It is discouraged (makruh) to repeat wudu unnecessarily if no act of worship has been performed since the last wudu.
• If a person has a bandage or medical dressing, they can wipe over it instead of washing the area if removing it is harmful.
• Masah should be performed over bandages, splints, or plasters if removing them is difficult. If only part of the bandage covers a wound, the uncovered area should be washed if possible.
• If a bandage is removed and the wound has healed, the area must be washed for wudu to remain valid.
• Khilaal of the beard should be done three times but not excessively.
• If the beard, eyebrows, or mustache are thick, washing over them is sufficient without ensuring water reaches the skin beneath.

Factors That Break and Do Not Break Wudu

• Breaking Wudu:

  1. Passing stool, urine, or wind.
  2. The emergence of worms or stones from the private parts.
  3. Bleeding that flows beyond the wound.
  4. Vomiting a mouthful of food, water, or bile.
  5. Laughing aloud during salah.
  6. Sleeping in a posture where one loses awareness.
  7. Loss of consciousness due to fainting or intoxication.

• Not Breaking Wudu:

  1. A worm emerging from a wound without bleeding.
  2. Minor blood spots in saliva or on a toothbrush.
  3. Tears from normal crying (unless due to an eye infection).
  4. Sweat or normal body secretions.
  5. Blood from a mosquito or minor bug bite.

Rules Concerning the Ma’zur (Excused Person)

1. If a person experiences continuous bleeding from the nose, a wound that does not stop bleeding, or suffers from a condition where urine drips uncontrollably, and they do not have enough time to perform salah with complete purity, they are classified as a ma’zur (excused person). The ruling for such a person is that they must make wudu for each salah time. Their wudu remains valid throughout that salah time, even if the issue persists. However, if their wudu is broken due to any other reason (e.g., using the toilet or bleeding from another wound), they must perform wudu again. For example, if a person’s nose continuously bleeds and they make wudu at Zuhr time, their wudu remains valid for the duration of Zuhr, unless broken by another cause.

2. If wudu is performed at Fajr time, it cannot be used for salah after sunrise. A fresh wudu is required. However, if wudu is performed after sunrise, it remains valid for Zuhr. A new wudu is required only when the time for Asr enters. If wudu is broken for any other reason (such as urinating or passing stool), fresh wudu must be performed.

3. If a person has a wound that continuously bleeds and makes wudu, and then another wound begins to bleed, their wudu will break and must be performed again.

4. A person is classified as a ma’zur only when a complete salah time passes wherein the condition persists, preventing them from performing salah with complete purity. If a person finds any time during which they can offer salah in complete purity, they are not classified as a ma’zur, and these rulings will not apply. However, once a person is classified as a ma’zur, their wudu remains valid throughout each salah time, even if the condition occurs only once in that period. If an entire salah time passes without the issue occurring, they are no longer classified as a ma’zur, and their wudu will break whenever the condition arises again.

5. If bleeding starts only after Zuhr time has entered, the person should wait until the end of the time. If the bleeding stops before the time ends, they should perform salah as usual. However, if the bleeding persists throughout Zuhr and continues into Asr, preventing the person from praying Asr in complete purity, they will then be classified as a ma’zur. If the bleeding stops within Asr time, they will not be regarded as a ma’zur, and any salah performed with this ruling will need to be repeated.

6. If a ma’zur makes wudu due to using the toilet or passing stool while their bleeding had stopped, but the bleeding resumes after wudu, the wudu will be broken. However, if they made wudu specifically due to the continuous bleeding, the wudu remains valid despite the bleeding continuing.

7. If the blood from the condition falls on clothing, the following rules apply:

   • If the person knows that more blood will fall before they complete their salah, it is not obligatory to wash it off before praying.
   • If they are certain that no further blood will fall and they can complete their salah in purity, they must wash it off before praying.
   • If the bloodstain is larger than the size of a fifty-cent coin, salah will not be valid without washing it off.

Things to Remember:

• Wudu is broken by things like:
  • Using the toilet.
  • Passing gas.
  • Sleeping deeply.
• If Wudu breaks, you must perform it again before praying.

Why is Wudu Important?

Wudu is not just about physical cleanliness; it’s also about preparing yourself spiritually to stand before Allah in prayer. It helps purify your body and mind, ensuring your worship is accepted.