The Importance and Virtue of Ablution:
❀ The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
الطهور شطر الإيمان
“Purity is half of faith.”
And he said:
لا تقبل صلاة بغير طهور
“Prayer is not accepted without ablution.”
❀ Ablution is only valid if it is performed according to the command of Allah and the method of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him; otherwise, it is not valid.
The Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, said:
من أتم الوضوء كما أمر الله تعالىٰ، فالصلوات المكتوبات كفارات لما بينهن
“Whoever performs complete ablution according to the command of Allah, then his obligatory prayers will atone for the sins committed between them.”
And the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
من توضأ نحو وضوئي هذا ثم صلىٰ ركعتين لا يحدث فيهما نفسه غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
“Whoever performs ablution according to my method, then prays two units (rak‘ahs) without speaking to himself in them, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
Ablution washes away sins. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
من توضأ فأحسن الوضوء، خرجت خطاياه من جسده
“Whoever performs ablution well, the sins come out from his body.”
And he, peace be upon him, said:
إن أمتي يدعون يوم القيامة غرا محجلين من آثار الوضوء
“On the Day of Resurrection, when my Ummah is called, they will come with their faces, hands, and feet shining white because of the marks of ablution.”
And the command of the Prophet, peace be upon him, is:
تبلغ الحلية من المؤمن حيث يبلغ الوضوء
“(In Paradise) the believers will be adorned with jewelry up to the extent that their ablution water reaches.”
Before Starting Wudu:
❀ Make the intention of purification before wudu. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
إنما الأعمال بالنيات
“Actions are judged by intentions.”
Making the intention of wudu verbally is an innovation, as it is not proven from any hadith.
❀ A person who wakes up from sleep should wash their hands before putting them into the water vessel. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) commanded:
إذا استيقظ أحدكم من نومه فليغسل يده قبل أن يدخلها فى وضوئه فإن أحدكم لا يدري أين باتت يده
“When any one of you wakes up from sleep, let him wash his hands before putting them into the water, for he does not know where his hands were during the night.”
❀ If there is paint on the hands or other parts, which prevents water from reaching the skin, it is obligatory to remove it before wudu, because wudu is not valid if water does not reach the skin.
❀ Similarly, nail polish also prevents water from reaching the skin, so it is obligatory to remove it before wudu.
The Sunnah Method of Wudu:
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
توضؤوا بسم الله
“Perform ablution by saying Bismillah (In the name of Allah).”
He further said: “Ablution without saying Bismillah will not be valid.”
❀ While performing ablution, wash each limb first on the right side, then on the left side. Sayyida Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said:
كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يحب التيمن فى طهوره
“The Prophet (peace be upon him) liked to start purification from the right side.”
❀ Wash both hands up to the wrists.
❀ When washing hands and feet, the fingers should be washed thoroughly by rubbing the joints together, because the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Five things are part of the natural disposition (fitrah).” Washing between the fingers is one of them.
❀ Clean between the fingers of the hands with a toothpick or similar.
❀ Take one mudd (a measure) of water; use half for rinsing the mouth and the other half for putting into the nose.
❀ It is also permissible to use separate water for the mouth and the nose.
❀ When putting water into the nose, do so with exaggeration, i.e., make the water reach the upper part of the nose. If fasting, then do not exaggerate.
❀ After waking from sleep, when performing ablution, water should be put into the nose and blown out three times, because Satan spends the night in the nostrils. One or two times is also permissible.
❀ Some people say that rinsing the mouth and nose is Sunnah in ablution but obligatory in ghusl (full ritual bath), so exaggeration should be done in ghusl but not in ablution. This contradicts the above hadith, which commands exaggeration in both ghusl and ablution.
❀ Blow the nose three times with the left hand and clean it.
❀ Then wash the face three times.
❀ Take one mudd of water and insert it under the chin into the beard and clean between the hairs.
❀ Then wash the right arm including the elbow, then the left arm including the elbow.
❀ Then wipe the head by wetting both hands with water, placing them on the front part of the head, moving to the nape, then bringing them back from behind to the starting point, doing this once.
❀ It is also permissible to wipe the head three times.
❀ Sahih Muslim
mentions taking separate water for wiping the head, and the narration in Abu Dawood about wiping with leftover water has been declared weak by Sheikh Zubair Ali Zai.
❀ Insert the index fingers of both hands into the ear canals and rotate them inside the ear passages; when reaching the end, wipe the back of the ears with the thumbs.
❀ Wiping the ears with the water used for wiping the head is correct because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “The ears are part of the head.”
However, taking fresh water for wiping the ears is also proven from the Prophet (peace be upon him). Abdullah bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that he saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) take separate water for wiping the ears than that used for wiping the head.
Some people do not wipe the entire head, only half or a quarter of it, which is incorrect because the Quran commands wiping the whole head and the Sunnah also confirms wiping the entire head.
❀ Wiping the neck in ablution is not permissible because the related narrations are fabricated. Imam Ibn Qayyim (may Allah have mercy on him) said: “There is absolutely no authentic hadith about wiping the neck.”
❀ Wash the feet including the ankles.
❀ Clean between the toes with the little finger of the left hand.
After ablution, one should sprinkle water towards the private parts (this removes the whisperings of urine drops). The command of Ban Sufyan (may Allah be pleased with him) is:
رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم توضأ فنضح فرجه
“I saw the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) perform ablution and sprinkle water on his private parts.”
Raising the finger towards the sky after ablution is not proven from any authentic hadith. Abu Dawood
has a narration mentioning raising the gaze towards the sky, but it is weak.
Supplications for Ablution
❀ Some people recite supplications while washing each limb during ablution; this is an innovation. Imam Nawawi, may Allah have mercy on him, states: “There is nothing proven from the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, regarding specific supplications for each limb.”
❀ Reciting supplications during ablution is not established by any authentic hadith.
Whoever performs ablution properly and then recites the following supplication, the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he may enter through whichever he wishes:
أشهد أن لا إلٰه إلا الله وحده لا شريك له وأشهد أن محمدا عبده ورسوله
“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah alone, He has no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad, peace be upon him, is the servant and Messenger of Allah.”
It is also established to recite this supplication after ablution:
«سُبْحَانَكَ اللَّهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ أَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْكَ»
“O Allah! You are pure with Your praise, I bear witness that there is no true deity except You, I ask You for forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.”
❀ Some people recite Surah Al-Qadr after ablution; there is no basis for this narration.
Other Issues Related to Ablution:
❀ It is permissible to wash all the parts of wudu once, twice, or three times.
❀ Among the parts of wudu, it is also permissible to wash some parts once, some twice, and some three times.
❀ Washing more than three times is absolutely not permissible. A villager asked the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, about wudu; he demonstrated wudu to him, in which he washed the parts three times each, then said:
هٰكذا الوضوء، فمن زاد علىٰ هٰذا فقد أساء وتعدىٰ وظلم
“This is the correct way of wudu, so whoever does more than this has done wrong, exceeded the limit, and oppressed himself.”
❀ Each part should be washed thoroughly so that it is properly cleaned; merely running water over it does not suffice for cleanliness.
❀ All parts should be washed in order. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, always performed wudu in order; it is never proven that he performed wudu out of order. In one hadith, Abu Jubayr al-Kindi came to the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and he ordered him to perform wudu. He started by washing his face, so the Prophet, peace be upon him, said: “Do not start wudu with your face, because this is the way of the disbelievers.”
If any part of the ablution limbs remains dry:
Any part of the ablution limbs remaining dry is a cause of punishment. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ, upon seeing some people’s heels dry, said:
ويل للأعقاب من النار
“(For) dry heels, there will be punishment from the fire.”
❀ If even a nail-sized area among the limbs of ablution remains dry, the ablution will not be valid.
❀ If the dryness is noticed during or after the prayer, both the ablution and the prayer will have to be repeated. Umar ibn Al-Khattab (RA) said: “The Messenger of Allah ﷺ saw a man who had performed ablution but a nail-sized area on his foot remained dry, so he ﷺ ordered him to repeat the ablution and the prayer.”
Therefore, if there is paint, nail polish, or anything on the hands, etc., that prevents water from reaching the body, remove it first. And if rings or bangles are worn on the hands, shake them well so that water reaches underneath them.
Statement on Wiping Over the Turban and Bandage:
❀ If a turban is tied on the head, then wipe over it, but in this case, start wiping from the forehead, because in the hadith it is stated: “The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed ablution and wiped his forehead and turban.”
❀ Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar رضي الله عنهما narrates: “If a bandage is tied over a wound, then during ablution wipe over the bandage and wash the surrounding area.”
Statement on Wiping Over Socks and Stockings:
❀ If socks are worn in a state of purity, then wiping over them is permissible. Sayyiduna Mughira bin Shu’bah رضي الله عنه says: “The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم indeed wiped over the socks.”
The author of Ghayat al-Maqsood has written that scholars have differed regarding socks whether they are made of skin and leather, or generally, meaning wool and cotton? The author of Qamoos has explained this from ”لفافة الرجل“, which, considering its generality, refers to the covering worn on the feet, whether that covering is made of skin and leather, or wool and cotton. Allama Tayyibi and Qadi Shawkani have restricted it to leather, and this is also the conclusion of Sheikh Abdul Haq Dehlawi’s writings. Imam Abu Bakr Ibn al-Arabi and Allama Ayni have clarified that it is wool, and Shams al-A’immah al-Halwani has divided it into five types.
This difference (and Allah knows best) arose because either the linguists gave different interpretations, or the form and type of socks varied in different regions; in some areas, they were leather, in others wool, and in some all types. Each person explained it according to the type of socks found in their own region, and some explained it according to all types of socks found in all regions, regardless of their type.
Thus, it is established that a sock is the garment worn on the foot, whether it is leather, cotton, or wool, and wiping over all of these is permissible. Some people say that wiping is only permissible over leather socks and not over wool or cloth socks. This issue is self-invented and contrary to authentic hadiths. Now I will write those hadiths in which socks are clearly mentioned, so that no excuse remains for anyone.
❀ Sayyiduna Thawban رضي الله عنه says: “When they came to the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم, he ordered them to wipe over turbans and socks.”
❀ Sayyiduna Mughira bin Shu’bah رضي الله عنه says: “Undoubtedly, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم performed ablution and wiped over the socks and shoes.”
❀ Sayyiduna Abu Musa al-Ash’ari رضي الله عنه says: “Undoubtedly, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم performed ablution and wiped over the socks and shoes.”
Evidence from the Companions of the Prophet (may Allah be pleased with them) regarding wiping over socks:
Imam Abu Dawood, after the narration of Sayyiduna Mughira (may Allah be pleased with him), states: “Ali ibn Abi Talib, Ibn Mas’ud, Bara’ ibn Azib, Anas ibn Malik, Abu Umamah, Sahl ibn Sa’d, and Amr ibn Hurayth (may Allah be pleased with them) also used to wipe over these two socks, and similar narrations are also from Umar ibn Khattab and Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them).”
Besides them, it is also established from Abu Mas’ud al-Ansari, Uqbah ibn Umar, and Sa’d ibn Abi Waqqas (may Allah be pleased with them)
, and from Abdullah ibn Amr and Abu Wa’il (may Allah be pleased with them) that wiping over socks is proven.
Method of wiping over socks:
The method of wiping is to wet the hand with water and wipe over the upper part of the foot. Sayyiduna Mughira ibn Shu’bah (may Allah be pleased with him) says: “I saw the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, wiping over the upper visible part of the socks.”
Wiping over Socks and Shoes:
Wiping over socks and shoes is permissible. Sayyiduna Mughira bin Shu’ba رضي الله عنه says: “Indeed, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم performed ablution and wiped over the socks and shoes.”
❀ And in another hadith: “Indeed, the Messenger of Allah صلى الله عليه وسلم performed ablution and wiped over the shoes and feet.”
Duration of Wiping:
Sayyiduna Ali رضي الله عنه says:
جعل رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ثلاثة أيام ولياليهن للمسافر، ويوما وليلة للمقيم
“The Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم set the duration of wiping over the socks for a traveler as three days and nights, and for a resident as one day and night.”
❀ That means after this period, the socks etc. must be removed and the feet washed. The duration of wiping will be counted from the first wiping.
❀ If the sock is removed while in a state of wudu, the purity does not end; as long as the wudu is not broken, wiping over the socks is permissible if the socks are worn again before the wudu breaks. If the sock is removed without wudu, or it was removed in a state of wudu but the wudu breaks while the socks are off and then the socks are worn again, wiping over them is not permissible.
❀ If the journey started while wearing the socks, then wiping is allowed for the traveler’s duration. If wiping was started during travel and then one returns home, wiping is allowed only for the resident’s duration; that is, if the time exceeds the resident’s duration while wiping, then wiping should not be done.
Ruling on wiping (Masah) in the state of Janabah:
❀ When Ghusl becomes obligatory, the period for wiping also ends. Sayyiduna Safwan bin Assal (RA) says:
كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يأمرنا إذا كنا سفرا أن لا ننزع خفافنا ثلاثة أيام ولياليهن إلا من جنابة، ولٰكن من غائط وبول ونوم
“The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to command us that during travel, we should not remove our socks for three days and nights due to defecation, urination, and sleep, but they must be removed when in a state of Janabah.”
Performing Wudu over Wudu:
❀ It is not necessary to perform ablution separately for every prayer; rather, several prayers can be performed with one ablution. On the day of the conquest of Makkah, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ performed several prayers with one ablution. Sayyiduna Umar رضي الله عنه said: “O Messenger of Allah! Today you have done something which you did not do before.” He ﷺ replied: “O Umar! I have done this deliberately.”
If the ablution remains valid, it can be renewed again, and in fact, it is preferable. Anas رضي الله عنه says:
كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم يتوضأ عند كل صلاة، قلت كيف كنتم تصنعون؟ قال يجزئ أحدنا الوضوء ما لم يحدث
“The Prophet ﷺ used to perform ablution for every prayer.” (The narrator of the hadith says) I asked: “How did he do it?” He said: “One ablution was sufficient for a person until it was broken.”
The reliable book of Hanafi Deobandis, “Bahishti Zewar,” states that if ablution remains valid, it is disliked to perform ablution again, but this is completely wrong and baseless.
Wastefulness in the Use of Water:
❀ Water should be used in purification only as much as necessary, because wastefulness is a sin. Allah the Exalted says:
“And do not waste, for indeed, He does not like the wasteful.”
❀ And the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, used to perform ablution with one mudd (a measure) of water.
Prohibited Acts After Ablution:
❀ After ablution, while going towards the mosque, it is forbidden to interlock the fingers of one hand with the fingers of the other hand. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
إذا توضأ أحدكم فأحسن وضوءه ثم خرج عامدا إلى المسجد فلا يشبكن يديه فإنه فى صلاة
“When a person performs ablution, let him perform it well, and when he goes to the mosque, he should not interlock the fingers of his hands, because he is in prayer.”
The Virtue of Two Rak’ahs After Ablution:
❀ Performing two rak’ahs after ablution is a cause of great reward. The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:
من توضأ نحو وضوئي هٰذا ثم صلىٰ ركعتين لا يحدث فيهما نفسه غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه
“Whoever performs ablution according to my way, then prays two rak’ahs without speaking to himself in between, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
Things that break ablution:
Wudu is broken by nine things:
➊ Urination and defecation.
➋ Passing wind.
➌ Emission of semen, and before that, istinja (cleaning) should also be done.
➍ Istihadah (bleeding other than menstruation due to illness).
➎ Touching the private parts without clothes.
Some men and women do not pay attention while changing clothes and their hand touches the private parts and later they do not perform wudu. Similarly, some women clean a boy or girl but do not perform wudu, even though their hand touches the child’s private parts; they should perform wudu. Some people think that being naked breaks wudu, but this is not proven by any hadith.
➏ Deep sleep that occurs while lying down or leaning.
➐ Becoming unconscious due to insanity, grief, intoxication, etc., because unconsciousness causes more numbness than sleep.
➑ Apostasy, i.e., leaving the religion of Islam, because all Islamic acts end with it.
➒ Imam Sufyan Thawri, may Allah have mercy on him, who died
, said:
“When a person leaves the religion of Islam, his disbelief nullifies all previous Islamic acts of worship.”
Things that necessitate ghusl (full ritual bath), such as sexual intercourse, nocturnal emission, menstruation, and postnatal bleeding, also break wudu.
❀ The Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, ordered to perform wudu after eating camel meat, so wudu is necessary.
❀ It is better, though not obligatory, to perform wudu in the following cases:
➊ Eating meat other than camel meat.
➋ Vomiting.
➌ Washing a deceased person.
❀ In the following cases, it is sufficient to just rinse the mouth:
➊ Eating food cooked by fire.
➋ Drinking milk and fatty substances.
Things that do not break ablution:
➊ From a nosebleed.
➋ From vomiting, because the narration that mentions ablution breaking due to vomiting or nosebleed is weak.
➌ Minor sleep that does not completely remove consciousness, for example, sleep while standing or sitting does not break ablution.
➍ Merely doubting during prayer.
➎ Blood or pus flowing from any part of the body other than the private parts does not break ablution.
The Deobandi book “Fazail-e-Amaal”
states that ablution breaks if blood comes out from any part of the body, but there is no authentic narration regarding this issue, and in fact, it contradicts the above authentic narration.
Issue of Wudu Breaking During Prayer:
❀ If wudu breaks during prayer, one should perform wudu again and start the prayer anew.
Because wudu is a condition for prayer, and when the condition is no longer met, the act dependent on it also becomes invalid.
