The Prescribed Method of Wudu
Wudu is the first condition for Salah, without which Salah cannot be performed.
① The water should be clean and pure.
② At the beginning of Wudu, one should recite Bismillah (only Bismillah).
③ Then wash both hands three times.
④ While washing the hands, make takhlil between the fingers.
⑤ Then take one handful of water, put half of it into the nose and rinse the mouth with the other half, and blow the nose with the left hand three times; do this three times.
⑥ Then wash the face three times.
⑦ Then take one handful of water and pass it under the chin, and make takhlil of the beard.
⑧ Then wash the right arm up to the elbow and the left arm up to the elbow, three times each.
⑨ Then wipe the head: begin with both hands at the front of the head, take them back to the nape, then bring them forward again to the place where the wiping began.
⑩ Then wipe the ears in this way: pass the index fingers through the openings of both ears and wipe behind the ears with the thumbs.
⑪ Then wash the right foot up to the ankle three times, and wash the left foot in the same way.
⑫ Also make takhlil of the toes.
The Du’a After Wudu:
① أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله وحدة لا شريك له. وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله.
I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, and that Muhammad ﷺ is the servant and Messenger of Allah, then the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, he may enter through whichever he wishes.
② اللهم اجعلني من التوابين واجعلني من المتطهرين
O Allah, make me among those who repent, and make me among those who purify themselves.
Innovations and Prohibited Matters in Wudu:
① Wiping the neck is not proven from any authentic hadith, yet most people do it.
② Raising the index finger toward the sky while reciting the du’a after Wudu: أشهد أن لا إله إلا الله Say these words only with the tongue; raising the finger is not proven.
③ Ibn al-Jawzi (may Allah have mercy on him) says:
Shaytan whispers to some people that they should pour a lot of water. Four matters are included in this:
① Extravagance (israf) in water.
② Wasting time (destroying time).
③ Acting contrary to the Shariah, because the Shariah emphasises using little water.
④ The Shariah has described washing the limbs more than three times as transgression and injustice.
Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him) said that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) performing Wudu, and the Prophet ﷺ said:
“O Sa’d! What is this extravagance?” Sa’d (may Allah be pleased with him) replied: “Is there extravagance even in Wudu?” The Prophet ﷺ said:
“Yes! Even if you were performing Wudu at a flowing river.”
Nullifiers of Wudu:
✿ The Prophet of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever touches his private part without a cloth (barrier), let him perform Wudu.”
✿ If anything comes out from either of the two passages of relieving oneself, Wudu is broken.
✿ Whoever falls asleep should perform Wudu again.
✿ Passing wind breaks Wudu.
✿ Eating camel meat breaks Wudu.
