⭑ Method of Wudu in the Light of Authentic Ahadith ⭑
This excerpt is taken from Shaykh Zubair Ali Zai رحمه الله’s book Hadiyyat al-Muslimeen: Important Issues of Salah with Complete Prophetic Prayer (ﷺ).
«عن حمران مولى عثمان أنه رأى عثمان بن عفان دعا بإناء فأفرغ على كفيه ثلاث مرار فغسلهما ثم ادخل يمينه فى الإناء فمضمض واستنثر ثم غسل وجهه ثلثا ويديه إلى المرفقين ثلاث مرار، ثم مسح برأسه ثم غسل رجليه ثلاث مرار إلى الكعبين .. إلخ»
Humran, the freed slave of ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه, reported that he saw ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan رضي الله عنه performing wudu:
“He asked for a vessel, poured water over his hands three times and washed them, then put his right hand into the vessel, rinsed his mouth and nose, washed his face three times, washed his hands up to the elbows three times, wiped his head, and washed his feet up to the ankles three times…” etc.
Then ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه described this manner of wudu as that of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
[Sahih al-Bukhari 1/27–28, Hadith 159; Sahih Muslim 1/119–120, Hadith 226]
① This method of wudu is the most virtuous. However, washing each limb once or twice is also permissible. [See Sahih al-Bukhari 1/27, Hadith 158 & 157]
② In wudu, wiping the entire head is legislated, as proven by the above Hadith and the Hadith of ‘Abdullah bin Zayd رضي الله عنه. [Sahih al-Bukhari 1/32, Hadith 192]
The claim by some people that only a quarter of the head must be wiped is baseless. The narration about wiping over the turban is specific to the turban, so those who deny full head wiping cannot use it as evidence.
③ There is no authentic evidence from the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions رضي الله عنهم for reciting any supplication during wudu.
A narration in Imam al-Nasa’i’s ‘Amal al-Yawm wal-Laylah (p. 80) and in al-Sunan al-Kubra (6/24, Hadith 9908) states that Abu Musa رضي الله عنه said:
“I came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while he was performing wudu, and I heard him say: اللهم اغفر لي ذنبي ووسع لي في داري وبارك لي في رزقي (‘O Allah, forgive my sin, expand my home for me, and bless my provision’).”
Its chain is weak due to inqiṭā‘ (disconnection), as Abu Mujliz did not hear from Abu Musa رضي الله عنه. See Natā’ij al-Afkar by Ibn Hajar (1/263):
“In the narration of Abu Mujliz from Abu Musa رضي الله عنه, there is doubt regarding his hearing from him.”
Furthermore, this supplication relates to after wudu, as clarified in Musnad Ahmad (4/399, Hadith 19803) and elsewhere.
This excerpt is taken from Shaykh Zubair Ali Zai رحمه الله’s book Hadiyyat al-Muslimeen: Important Issues of Salah with Complete Prophetic Prayer (ﷺ).
⮚ Method of Wudu
«عن حمران مولى عثمان أنه رأى عثمان بن عفان دعا بإناء فأفرغ على كفيه ثلاث مرار فغسلهما ثم ادخل يمينه فى الإناء فمضمض واستنثر ثم غسل وجهه ثلثا ويديه إلى المرفقين ثلاث مرار، ثم مسح برأسه ثم غسل رجليه ثلاث مرار إلى الكعبين .. إلخ»
Humran, the freed slave of ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه, reported that he saw ‘Uthman bin ‘Affan رضي الله عنه performing wudu:
“He asked for a vessel, poured water over his hands three times and washed them, then put his right hand into the vessel, rinsed his mouth and nose, washed his face three times, washed his hands up to the elbows three times, wiped his head, and washed his feet up to the ankles three times…” etc.
Then ‘Uthman رضي الله عنه described this manner of wudu as that of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ.
[Sahih al-Bukhari 1/27–28, Hadith 159; Sahih Muslim 1/119–120, Hadith 226]
❀ Benefits:
① This method of wudu is the most virtuous. However, washing each limb once or twice is also permissible. [See Sahih al-Bukhari 1/27, Hadith 158 & 157]
② In wudu, wiping the entire head is legislated, as proven by the above Hadith and the Hadith of ‘Abdullah bin Zayd رضي الله عنه. [Sahih al-Bukhari 1/32, Hadith 192]
The claim by some people that only a quarter of the head must be wiped is baseless. The narration about wiping over the turban is specific to the turban, so those who deny full head wiping cannot use it as evidence.
③ There is no authentic evidence from the Prophet ﷺ or the Companions رضي الله عنهم for reciting any supplication during wudu.
A narration in Imam al-Nasa’i’s ‘Amal al-Yawm wal-Laylah (p. 80) and in al-Sunan al-Kubra (6/24, Hadith 9908) states that Abu Musa رضي الله عنه said:
“I came to the Messenger of Allah ﷺ while he was performing wudu, and I heard him say: اللهم اغفر لي ذنبي ووسع لي في داري وبارك لي في رزقي (‘O Allah, forgive my sin, expand my home for me, and bless my provision’).”
Its chain is weak due to inqiṭā‘ (disconnection), as Abu Mujliz did not hear from Abu Musa رضي الله عنه. See Natā’ij al-Afkar by Ibn Hajar (1/263):
“In the narration of Abu Mujliz from Abu Musa رضي الله عنه, there is doubt regarding his hearing from him.”
Furthermore, this supplication relates to after wudu, as clarified in Musnad Ahmad (4/399, Hadith 19803) and elsewhere.
