To know about making wudu or ablution, first, we need to know the necessary commandments. Muslims must have to perform Wudu before offering Salah, touching and reciting the Holy Quran, and some other Rituals or Ibadaah. There are certain steps for washing some body parts for making wudu. These steps are categorized as fard, sunnah and mustahibb. The fardh steps are obligatory to acquire the state of ablution. And the sunnah steps give an enhanced way of making wudu or wazu in the best manner as performed by our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
Faraidh of Wudu or The Obligatory Steps of Ablution
There are four faraidh of wudhu that are obligatory to perform ablution. The wudu will not be valid if any of these four steps are missing:
- Washing the face
- Washing both arms including the elbows.
- Moistening a quarter of the head.
- Washing both feet together with the ankles.
Difference Between Washing and Moistening in Wudu
Definition of Washing:
Washing an organ of the body means flowing at least two drops of water on each part of that organ. If the organ gets moistened by rubbing a wet hand over it, or if only one drop of water flows over a section, then it will not be considered washed. In that case, the wudhu or ghusl will not be valid. If you are traveling, you can find a wudu washing station to perform wudu on the way.
Definition of Moistening:
Moistening means making the hands wet with water and rubbing them over the place.
Sunnahs of Wudhu or ablution
Following are the sunnah steps of wudu or wazu:
- Making intention of wudhu.
- Reading Bismillah before starting.
- Wash both up to the wrists three times.
- Using Miswaak to clean the teeth three times.
- Rinsing the mouth three times using three handfuls of water.
- Gargling, if not fasting.
- Sniffing water into the nose three times using three half handfuls of water.
- Doing khilaal of beard (when not in the state of Ehraam)
- Doing khilaal of the hand fingers.
- Doing Khilaal a foot toes.
- Moistening the whole head only once.
- Moistening the ears
- Maintaining the order of the Faraidh i.e. washing the face first, the arms, then wiping the head, and then washing the feet.
- Washing the next part before the previously washed one dries.
Definition of Khilaal: Khilaal means moving the fingers through.
Mustahibbat or Recommendations of Wudu
There are many Mustahibbat of wudu or wazu that are recommended to perform ablution in a more nice way but the state of ablution can be attained if Mustahibbat is not being followed. These are:
- Facing the Qiblah direction. This means facing toward the Kaaba in Makkah.
- Making wudu at an elevated place.
- Making wudhu in a sitting position.
- Stroking hands-on organs while washing them
- Doing wudhu calmly.
- Moistening the organs of the wudhu prior to washing, especially in winter.
- Avoid taking assistance in making Wudhu from anyone without necessity.
- Rinsing the mouth using the right hand.
- Sniffing water into the nose using the right hand.
- Using the left hand to clean the nose.
- Insert the small finger of the left hand into the nostrils.
- Moistening the back of the neck using the back of the hands.
- Insert the wet small finger of each hand into each ear whilst wiping the ears.
- Displacing the finger ring if it is loose and it is sure that water had flown on the skin beneath it. If the ring is a snug fit, it is mandatory to displace the ring so that water may flow beneath it.
- Doing wudhu before the beginning of the time of the Salah if one is not a Ma’zur-e-Shar’ee. (Detailed rulings regarding Ma’zur-e-Shar’ee will be presented ahead on our website. in sha Allah).
- For a person who is Making wudu perfectly i.e. whose no due part remains unwashed, taking special care for washing of inward corners of his eyes towards nose, ankles, heels, soles, thick muscles above heels, the gaps between fingers and elbows are Mustahab. For non-caring people, it is Fardh to take special care of these parts as it has been observed that such parts often remain dry due to carelessness. Such carelessness is Haraam and to take care of it is Fardh.
- Keeping the ewer (a type of beaker of water for wudhu) towards the left side. In case if using a tub or pot for wudhu, keep it towards the right side.
- While washing the face, wide-spreading the water on the forehead such that some additional upper part may get wet.
- Enhancing the brilliance of face, arms, and feet. It means spreading water over a bit more areas around mandatory areas of these organs.
- Use both hands to wash your face.
- Starting from the fingers when washing the hands and feet.
- Wiping away the droplets of each organ by hand after washing so that drops of water may not fall upon the body or clothes, especially when one has to enter the Mosque because dripping of ablution water drops on the floor of the Mosque is Makrooh-e-Tehreemi.
- Remembrance of the intention of Wudhu at the time of washing and wiping the organs.
- Reciting Durood that is praying for Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and Kalima Shahadat in addition to Bismillah at the beginning.
- Do not unnecessarily mop the washed organs if mopping is necessary, so try to avoid drying them. Leave some wetness on organs because they will be weighed with pious deeds on the Day of Judgement.
- Do not jerk your hands after Wudhu to remove droplets of water because it is the fan for Satan.
- Offering two rakat Nafil Salah after wudhu if it is not the prohibited time. These Nawafil are called Tahaiyyat-ul-Wudhu and are of great rewards.
Difference between Haram and Makrooh-e-Tehreemi
Definition of Haram
Haram refers to actions that are highly forbidden and punishable in Islam.
Definition of Makrooh-e-Tehreemi
Makrooh-e-Tehreemis are forbidden deeds, causing the reason to displease Allah and His prophet, and near to Haram.
We will learn more about performing ablution or making wudhu step by step in the upcoming article In sha Allah. So keep gaining authentic knowledge to brighten your ritual actions and gain the pleasures of Allah, which is the real eternal success for a Muslim.
