What is Wadhu or Ablution and its procedure?

Answer 1

WUDHU (Ablution)

To wash one's hands, face and feet, etc. Before performing salaah is called Wudhu. No salaah is accepted without wudhu.

One should sit on a high, clean place to perform wudhu. Face the direction of the Qiblah if possible.

DU'A BEFORE COMMENCING WUDHU

BISMILLAHI WALHAMDULILAH

I begin with the name of Allah And all praises are due to Allah.

The four essentials (Fardh) of wudhu

1. Washing the face from the forehead to the lower portion of the chin and from one ear lobe to the other.

2. Washing of both the arms upto and including the elbows.

3. Performing masah of a quarter of the head once.

4. Washing of both the feet including the ankles once.

There are 13 Sunan in wudhu

1. Niyyat (intention)

2. Reciting of Bismillaahir-rahmaanir-rahim

3. Washing of the hands thrice up to the wrists.

4. Brushing the teeth with Miswaak.

5. Gargling three times.

6. Passing water into the nostrils thrice.

7. Khilal of the beard, i.e. to pass wet fingers into the beard.

8. Khilal of the fingers and toes.

9. Washing of each part three times.

10. Masah of the whole head once.

11. Masah of both ears once.

12.Wudhu done systematically.

13.Washing of each part, one after the other without pause, so no part

dries up before the next part is washed.

DUA WHILE PERFORMING WUDHU

ALLAHUM MAGHFIRLIL DHAMBI WA WASSI LI FI DARI WA BARIKLI FI RIZQI

O Allah! Forgive my sins and give expansion (abundance) in my home and grant me blessings in my sustenance.

DU`A AFTER PERFORMING WUDHU

ASH-HADU ALLAA ILAHA ILLAL-LAHU WAHDAHU LASHARIKA LAHU WA'ASH-HADU ANNAMUHAMMADAN ABDUHU WARASULUH ALLAHUM-MAJ`ALNI MINAT TAWWABINA WAJ`ALNIMINAL MUTAT AH-HIRAN

I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, who is without partner and I bear witness that Muhammad is His Servant and Apostle. O Allah make me from among those who repent for their sins and from among those who keep themselves pure.

THE EIGHT NAWAQIDH OF (Acts That Nullify) WUDHU

1. Discharging of urine, stool or the emitting of any substance from

the private parts.

2. Vomiting a mouthful(i.e. cannot be stopped)

3. Discharging of gases (from the rear).

4. To fall asleep lying down or by resting the body against something.

5. To faint due to some illness or any other reason.

6. Becoming insane or going mad.

7. Laughing aloud whilst in salaah.

8. Flowing of blood or matter from any part of the body.

COMPLETE SUBSTITUTE FOR ABLUTION (TAYAMMUM)

Tayammum or "to resort to pure earth" may substitute for the ablution and even the bath. This is allowed in any of the following cases:

1. When a person is sick and cannot use water;

2. When one has no access to water in sufficient quantity;

3. When the use of water is likely to cause one harm or make one succumb to disease;

4. When performing the ablution will cause the person to miss a prayer which cannot be substituted (e.g. Funeral prayer).

In any of these instances it is permissible to do tayammum as follows:

1. Strike both hands lightly on pure earth, sand or stone.

2. Shake the hands off and wipe the face with them once in the same way as in the ablution.

3. Strike the hands again and wipe both hands to the elbows.

The tayammum is a symbolic demonstration of the importance of the ablution, which is so vital for both worship and health. When Islam introduced this regular ablution, it instituted an excellent hygienic measure which no spiritual doctrine or medical prescription had anticipated.

MASAH (PASSING WET HANDS) OVER LEATHER SOCKS

If someone's "Wudhu", becomes nullified, then, when performing a subsequent Wudhu, it is allowed to wipe over his leather socks with wet hands, instead of washing both feet on condition that the socks were put on after washing the feet in the first Wudhu or before it was nullified. A traveler may benefit from this privilege continuously for three consecutive days and nights (72 hours), but a resident may do so for only one day and one night continuously (24 hours). (The benefits are really only seen in cold climates)

HOW MASAH OVER THE LEATHER SOCKS IS PERFORMED

Wiping is done according to the tradition of the Prophet SAW, as follows: After removing the shoes, three wet fingers are passed over the upper surface of socks. There is no need to wipe the bottom parts.

TYPES OF SOCKS ON WHICH MASAH IS PERMITTED

1. Leather socks (genuine or PVC - be they entirely made of leather or only the soles)

2. Non-leather socks can also be used for Masah, provided they fulfil the following criteria:

3. They are strong enough to walk in for three miles (without shoes) and they will not tear.

4. They are non-porous i.e. they will not allow water through

5. They are of such material which will cover the feet up to and including the ankles without the need of fastening (this does not mean you cannot fasten them), and they will not sag.

6. Masah will not be permitted on those socks which do not meet the above criteria. In addition to this those socks which have holes amounting to more than three centimeters in length are also excluded from being able to afford the privilege of Masah.

When the Wiping Privilege Ceases

The wiping privilege becomes invalid in the event that one or more

of the following cases occur:

When the maximum timings allowed (as mentioned earlier) lapse

1. The moment the socks are removed (even partial removal, i.e. one ankle being exposed will nullify Masah privileges).

2. The socks rip, and the rip is three centimeters in length.

3. When any of the cases requiring "Ghusl" occur.

In all cases, barring the case of Ghusl being required, only the Masah period will break, not the Wudhu (provided none of those acts which nullify Wudhu transpired). After washing the feet and donning the socks again the privilege of Masah will again be granted.