Wudhu - Ablution

Rules of wudhu

Before we can explain the rules of namaz (prayer), we must first explain those things which are compulsory to do before the prayer can be performed. The first thing is tahirat (cleanliness). When you go for prayer, your body, dress, and the place where you will perform your prayers must be clean. After tahirat, the second most important thing is wudhu (ablution).

The following are compulsory for performing wudhu:

1. Niyyat (intention): There is a niyyat (intention) for wudhu the same way there is a niyyat for all other

aspects of religion. Niyyat (intention) is related to one‟s heart. It is not compulsory to say the words out

loud. It is enough to make one‟s intention in one‟s heart. You should make this intention before

performing wudhu: “I am doing wudhu for removing any impurity and to make my prayer mubah. Wajib

qurbatan illallah”.

2. Water for wudhu must be tahir (pure). It should not be mixed with anything which will change its color or

taste. However, if the color and the taste of water changes on its own, then you can do wudhu with this

type of water. If pure water is available, then you cannot do wudhu with water whose color has changed

on its own.

3. You should be the owner of the water. It should not be usurped from another. If you are not the owner,

then you must obtain the permission of the owner before using it.

4 .  You should be the owner of the place in which you are performing wudhu. It should not be usurped  

from another. If you are not the owner, then you must obtain the permission of the owner before using it.

5.  Before performing wudhu, your body, dress, and the place where you are going to pray must be pak

(clean).

6. The pot which you are using for wudhu should not be made from silver or gold. It should not be usurped

from any other. No picture should be printed upon the pot.

7. You should perform the wudhu yourself without the help of any other. However, if there is a reason you

are unable to perform wudhu by yourself, then you can obtain the help of another.

8. The water must completely cover all of those parts which are included in wudhu. If there is an obstacle,

i.e. ring etc., then it should be removed before performing wudhu.

9. You should not talk during wudhu.

Method of wudhu

1. Before performing wudhu, it is mustahab (recommended) to wash the wrists twice, to rinse your mouth

three times, and rinse your nose three times. If you do not do this, it has no effect on your wudhu.

2. After this make your niyyat (intention) for wudhu.

3. Take the water in your right hand and wash your face. The boundaries of the face are above one‟s

forehead from the hairline until under one‟s chin and the part which is covered by your thumb and

middle finger as you are wiping your face. Start washing at your forehead and stop at your chin. Make

sure none of the parts of your face which are included in the wudhu should remain dry. In order to

ensure your whole face is wet, you can wipe your face more than once, but you must be careful not to

go beyond the boundaries of what is included in wudhu such as your neck or side of the head.

4. Wash your right arm from the elbow to your fingertips. Only use one handful of water.

5. Wash your left arm from your elbow to your fingertips. Use one handful of water. When a male washes his arms, the inside of the arm (palm face down) being washed should be down towards the floor. When a female washes, the inside of her arm (palm face up) should be facing up.

6. After this use three fingers of your right hand to wash your head from the crown until the point where

the hair touches one‟s forehead. Using two fingers is not enough.

7. Use your right hand to wipe the top of your right foot.

8. Use your left hand to wipe the top of your left foot.

The method for wiping one‟s feet is to place your palm on your toes and drag it towards your ankle. You cannot wipe your feet with your fingers. While wiping one‟s head and feet, you should remember to only move your hands. Do not move your head and feet. You must remember a male will do wudhu without covering his head, but a female must cover her head for doing wudhu. When a female wipes her head, she should put her hand under the scarf so it touches her head. However, when a female does wudhu for fajr and maghrib, she should remove her scarf.

Things which invalidate wudhu

There are seven things which invalidate one‟s wudhu.

1. Urine

2. Feces

3. Semen

4. Passing gas

5. Unconsciousness caused by sleep, however if one is aware enough to recognize voices around him,

then it will not invalidate his wudhu

6. Intoxication

7. Unconsciousness caused by other than sleep

You should remember vomiting, nose bleeds, nail cutting, hair cutting, and loud laughing do not invalidate

wudhu. If a bone is broken and covered by a plaster cast which cannot be made wet, then you do not have to make the broken area wet. In this condition, the wudhu remains valid.