What is Wudhu?

Performing Ablution (Wudu): A Step-by-Step Guide

Wudhu, or ablution, is a purification ritual performed by Muslims to cleanse themselves before prayer and other related acts of worship. Performing wudu correctly is essential, as it is a condition for the validity of Salah. Below, we outline a comprehensive guide to performing wudu, along with the fard (obligatory) and sunnah (recommended) acts.

Fard (Obligatory) Acts of Wudu

These are the six essential acts without which wudu is invalid:

1. Making the intention (niyah)
2. Washing the face: Covering from the hairline to the chin and ear to ear.
3. Washing the arms: From the fingertips to the elbows, including the elbows.
4. Wiping the entire head, including the ears
5. Washing the feet up to the ankles
6. Tertib, maintaining the sequence: Must be done in order and continuously, no lengthy interruption in between 

Did you know? The above acts are mentioned in the Quran in surah al-Maidah, verse 6

يَٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوٓاْ إِذَا قُمۡتُمۡ إِلَى ٱلصَّلَوٰةِ فَٱغۡسِلُواْ وُجُوهَكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيَكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡمَرَافِقِ وَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِرُءُوسِكُمۡ وَأَرۡجُلَكُمۡ إِلَى ٱلۡكَعۡبَيۡنِۚ وَإِن كُنتُمۡ جُنُبٗا فَٱطَّهَّرُواْۚ وَإِن كُنتُم مَّرۡضَىٰٓ أَوۡ عَلَىٰ سَفَرٍ أَوۡ جَآءَ أَحَدٞ مِّنكُم مِّنَ ٱلۡغَآئِطِ أَوۡ لَٰمَسۡتُمُ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فَلَمۡ تَجِدُواْ مَآءٗ فَتَيَمَّمُواْ صَعِيدٗا طَيِّبٗا فَٱمۡسَحُواْ بِوُجُوهِكُمۡ وَأَيۡدِيكُم مِّنۡهُۚ مَا يُرِيدُ ٱللَّهُ لِيَجۡعَلَ عَلَيۡكُم مِّنۡ حَرَجٖ وَلَٰكِن يُرِيدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمۡ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعۡمَتَهُۥ عَلَيۡكُمۡ لَعَلَّكُمۡ تَشۡكُرُونَ ٦

O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of janabah, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulties for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.

Sunnah (Recommended) Acts of Wudu

Performing the sunnah acts enhances the spiritual and physical benefits of wudu:

1. Reciting “Bismillah” before starting.
2. Washing the hands up to the wrists three times at the start.
3. Rinsing the mouth (madhmadhah) three times.
4. Sniffing water into the nostrils (Istinshaq) and blowing it out (Istinthar) three times.
5. Running fingers through the beard (if applicable).
6. Washing each body part three times
7. Maintaining the sequence as taught by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
8. Starting with the right side when washing arms, feet, etc.

Step-by-Step Guide to Performing Wudu

Follow these steps to ensure you perform wudu perfectly:

1. Make the Intention (Niyyah):
   Begin by forming the intention in your heart to perform wudu for the sake of Allah. You don’t need to verbalize it.
2. Say “Bismillah”:
   Start with the name of Allah by reciting “Bismillah.”
3. Wash the Hands (Sunnah):
   Wash both hands up to the wrists three times, ensuring water reaches between the fingers.
4. Rinse the Mouth (Sunnah):
   Take a handful of water into your mouth, swish it around, and spit it out. Repeat this three times.
5. Cleanse the Nostrils (Sunnah):
   Inhale water into your nostrils using the right hand and expel it with the left. Do this three times.
6. Wash the Face (Fard):
   Wash your face from the hairline to the chin and from ear to ear, ensuring no part is left dry. Perform this three times (Sunnah).
7. Wash the Arms (Fard):
   Wash your right arm from the fingertips to the elbow, including the elbow, three times. Repeat with the left arm.
8. Perform Masah (Fard):
   Wet your hands and wipe the front portion of your head. For the sunnah, wipe the entire head once, including the ears, with fresh water.
9. Wash the Feet (Fard):
   Wash your right foot up to and including the ankle, making sure to clean between the toes. Repeat with the left foot. Do this three times (Sunnah).

End with a Dua (Recommended):
After completing wudu, recite the dua:
“Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh”
(I testify that there is no deity but Allah, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Neglecting any of the fard acts. Without them, wudu is invalid.
• Leaving dry spots, especially on the elbows or heels.
• Rushing through the steps without proper attention.

Additional beneficial acts related to Wudu

PRIORITY OF WUDU AT HOME BEFORE GOING TO THE MOSQUE FOR CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER

Abu Hurairah RA narrated that the Prophet PBUH said:

مَنْ تَطَهَّرَ فِي بَيْتِهِ ثُمَّ مَشَى إِلَى بَيْتٍ مِنْ بُيُوتِ اللَّهِ لِيَقْضِيَ فَرِيضَةً مِنْ فَرَائِضِ اللَّهِ كَانَتْ خَطْوَتَاهُ إِحْدَاهُمَا تَحُطُّ خَطِيئَةً وَالأُخْرَى تَرْفَعُ دَرَجَةً

“He who purified himself in his house, and then he walked to one of the houses of Allah for the sake of performing a Fard (obligatory act) out of the Fara’id (obligatory acts) of Allah, both his steps (would be significant) as one of them would obliterate his sin and the second one would raise his status.” Sahih Muslim (666)

THIS IS THE REWARD FOR PERFORMING WUDU PROPERLY

Good news! This is the effect of wudu on you

وَعَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ‏- رضى الله عنه ‏- قَالَ: سَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اَللَّهِ ‏- صلى الله عليه وسلم ‏-يَقُولُ: { “إِنَّ أُمَّتِي يَأْتُونَ يَوْمَ اَلْقِيَامَةِ غُرًّا مُحَجَّلِينَ, مِنْ أَثَرِ اَلْوُضُوءِ, فَمَنْ اِسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يُطِيلَ غُرَّتَهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ.‏ } مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ, وَاللَّفْظُ لِمُسْلِم ٍ 1‏ .‏

‏1 ‏- صحيح.‏ رواه البخاري (136)‏، ومسلم (246)‏ (35)‏ وقوله: “فمن استطاع …” مدرج من كلام أبي هريرة.‏ والله أعلم.‏

Abu Huraira (rad): I heard Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) saying, “My people will come on the Day of Resurrection with bright faces, hands and feet from the traces of Wudu. If any of you can lengthen his brightness, let him do so”. [Agreed upon and this is Muslim’s version].

Conclusion

Performing wudu is more than a physical cleansing; it is an act of worship that purifies the soul and prepares the believer for prayer. By following the steps outlined above and observing both the fard and sunnah acts, you can ensure your wudu is both valid and spiritually rewarding.

May Allah accept your efforts and grant you purity in heart and action.