Wudu (Ablution): The Islamic Ritual of Purification and Its Significance

What is Ablution in Islam?

Wudu (Arabic: الوضوء) is a ritual cleansing or ablution essential for maintaining purity and cleanliness in Islam before engaging in worship. The term ‘wudu’ comes from the Arabic word wadha’ah, which means cleanliness, clarity, beauty, and light. Arabs often say “tawadda’tu lissalah” or “nawaytu lissalah” to express that they are performing ablution for prayer. It involves washing the hands, mouth, nostrils, arms, face, ears, hair, and feet. This process prepares a person mentally and physically for prayer and must be done correctly.

Allah says in the Quran, “When you intend to pray, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads with wet hands, and wash your feet up to the ankles.” (Qur’an, al-Maidah, 5:6).

Alternative to Wudu: Tayammum

If water is unavailable or if using water could harm the skin, tayammum, or “dry ablution,” is an alternative to wudu. Tayamum involves using clean sand instead of water, particularly in cases of water scarcity or when moisture could exacerbate skin conditions or other health issues.

How to make Wudu?

In these steps it is mentioned that how to make Ablution:

Intention (Niyyah):

Formulate the intention in your heart to perform wudu for the purpose of prayer.

Say Bismillah:

Begin by saying “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah).

Wash Hands:

Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, ensuring water reaches between the fingers.

Rinse Mouth:

Rinse your mouth three times, using your right hand to bring water to your mouth.

Clean Nostrils:

Sniff water into your nostrils three times and then expel it using your left hand to pinch your nose.

Wash Face:

After cleaning nostrils wash your face three times from the forehead to the chin and from ear to ear, ensuring the entire face is covered.

Wash Arms:

Wash your right arm up to the elbow three times, then wash the left arm in the same way.

Wipe Head:

Wet your hands and wipe over your head once, from the forehead to the back of the head.

Clean Ears:

Using your index fingers, wipe the inside of your ears, and use your thumbs to wipe the back of your ears.

Wash Feet:

Wash your right foot up to the ankle three times, making sure to clean between the toes. Repeat for the left foot.

Completion:

Conclude by ensuring all parts are thoroughly washed and in the correct order.

Dua before Wudu

The dua (supplication) commonly recited before performing wudu is:

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

In the name of Allah

Dua after Wudu

اشهد أن لا إله الا الله وأشهد أن محمد عبده ورسوله

اللهم أجعلني من التوابين واجعلني من المتطهرين

“I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger.O Allah, make me among those who repent and those who are purified.”

When is Wudu required?

Wudu is required in the following situations:

• Before Prayers: It must be performed before starting any of the five daily prayers (Salah).
• Handling the Quran: Wudu is needed before touching or reciting from the Quran.
• Certain Acts of Worship: It is also required before performing certain acts of worship, such as circumambulating the Kaaba (Tawaf) during Hajj or Umrah and Dhikr.
• Personal Cleanliness: It is recommended to perform wudu before reading or engaging in any acts of worship to maintain cleanliness and purity.

What breaks Ablution (Wudu)?

Ablution (wudu) is broken by the following actions:

• Using the Restroom: Excretion of waste (urination or defecation).
• Passing Gas: Expelling gas from the body.
• Deep Sleep: Sleeping deeply enough that you lose awareness.
• Loss of Consciousness: Fainting or losing consciousness.
• Bleeding: Significant bleeding from wounds or injuries.
• Vomiting: Vomiting a large amount (though this is debated among scholars).
• Sexual Activity: Engaging in sexual activity, which also requires a full ritual bath (ghusl).

Benefits of Wudu (Ablution)

Following are the rewards and benefits of Ablution:

• According to a hadith, “When a Muslim performs wudu and washes his face, all the sins committed with his eyes are forgiven. Similarly, when he washes his hands, the sins committed with his hands are cleansed. Finally, when he washes his feet, the sins committed with his feet are removed, leaving him pure and sinless from his ablution.”
• Abu Malik at-Ash’ari reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Cleanliness is half of faith.”
• The Prophet (PBUH) said in a hadith, “The key to prayer is cleanliness, its initiation is marked by saying ‘Allahu Akbar,’ and it concludes with ‘Salam.'”
• ‘Amr b Sa’id b al-As reported: I was with Uthman when he requested water for ablution and said, “I heard Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) say: When the time for a prescribed prayer arrives, if a Muslim performs ablution properly and prays with humility and bowing, it will atone for his past sins, provided he has not committed a major sin. This applies at all times.”
• Abu Huraira reported that the Apostle of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “When any of you wakes up from sleep and performs ablution, he should clean his nose three times, for the devil spends the night inside his nose.”

Benefits of doing wudu before sleep

According to hadith following are the benefits of Wudu before sleep:

• Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas (R.A) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said:

“Purify these bodies, and Allah will purify you. Any servant who goes to sleep in a state of purity will have an angel stay with him throughout the night. Whenever he turns over, the angel prays, ‘O Allah, forgive Your servant, for he went to bed in a state of purity.’”

• Sayyiduna Abud Darda (R.A) said:

“When a person sleeps, his soul (ruh) ascends to the throne (‘Arsh) of Allah. If he slept in a state of wudu, his soul is allowed to prostrate near the throne of Allah. If he slept in a state of impurity, this permission is denied.”

• Imam Abu Murayah Al ‘Ijli (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“Whoever goes to bed in a state of wudu and falls asleep while engaged in the dhikr of Allah Most High will have his bed considered a Masjid. He will earn the reward of being in prayer and dhikr until he awakens.”

• Shaykhul Hadith Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandehlawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said:

“One who sleeps in a state of wudu is protected from bad dreams.”

Tahiyatul Wudu benefits

A Muslim can perform two Rakats of voluntary prayer immediately after completing ablution. This prayer is known as ‘Tahiyyatul Wudu,’ which means ‘greeting the ablution.’ Tahiyyatul Wudu also enhances the rank of believers in Paradise.

• Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that during the Fajr prayer, the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) asked Bilal, “What is the best deed you have done since embracing Islam, as I heard your footsteps ahead of me in Paradise?” Bilal replied, “I haven’t done anything particularly notable except that whenever I performed ablution, whether day or night, I prayed afterward as much as was prescribed for me.” (Sahih Bukhari).

• Uqbah Ibn Amir (RA) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said, “Any Muslim who performs ablution perfectly and then prays two Rakats with full concentration of heart and face will certainly be granted paradise.” (Abu Dawood).

Medical Benefits of Ablution

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