Introduction to Wudu
Wudu, linguistically, refers to beauty, brightness, and cleanliness. In Islamic terms, it is the act of worship performed by washing specific body parts with pure water in a prescribed manner. Wudu is required before performing certain acts of worship, such as circumambulating the Kaaba and prayer, as it is a condition for their validity. Prayer is not accepted without purification, as the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said, “The key to prayer is purification” (مِفتاحُ الصَّلاةِ الطُّهورُ) [Sahih Al-Tirmidhi, 238]. He also said, “Prayer is not accepted without purification” (لا تُقْبَلُ صَلاةٌ بغيرِ طُهُورٍ) [Sahih Muslim, 224]. Purification, in this context, refers to wudu, meaning prayer is invalid without wudu.
Steps of Wudu According to the Quran
Allah mentions wudu in the Quran and outlines its obligations. He says, “O you who have believed, when you rise to pray, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles” (يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ وَأَيْدِيَكُمْ إِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوا بِرُءُوسِكُمْ وَأَرْجُلَكُمْ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ) [Surah Al-Ma’idah, 6]. The correct method of wudu for women, according to the Prophet’s teachings, is as follows:
1. Intention (Niyyah)
Intention is a prerequisite for all acts of worship, as they are not valid without it. The woman should make the intention in her heart to purify herself from impurity.
2. Saying Bismillah and Washing the Hands
She should begin by saying “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate) and then wash her hands. It is recommended to wash them three times.
3. Mouth and Nose
- Mouth Rinsing (Madhmadah): Involves taking water into the mouth, swirling it around, and then spitting it out.
- Nose Rinsing (Istinshaq): Involves drawing water into the nostrils and then blowing it out. It is recommended to perform both three times.
4. Washing the Face
The face should be washed from the hairline at the top of the forehead down to the chin and from ear to ear.
5. Washing the Arms to the Elbows
Washing starts from the fingertips up to the elbows, ensuring the elbows themselves are washed. It is recommended to wash the arms three times, beginning with the right arm and then the left. Care should be taken to remove anything on the hands that may prevent water from reaching the skin, such as nail polish, paint, or dough.
6. Wiping the Head
The head should be wiped once by passing wet hands from the front of the head to the nape of the neck and back again. The hair, whether loose or tied, does not need to be completely wiped. The ears should also be wiped once, similar to the head.
7. Washing the Feet
The feet must be washed up to the ankles, ensuring the ankles are included. It is recommended to wash the feet three times, starting with the right foot and then the left, ensuring to clean between the toes.
8. Reciting the Testimony of Faith (Shahada)
After completing wudu, one should recite the testimony of faith: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah” (أشْهَدُ أنْ لا إلَهَ إلَّا اللَّهُ وأنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عبدُ اللهِ ورَسولُهُ) [Sahih Muslim, 234]. The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “None of you performs wudu and does it perfectly, then says: ‘I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is the servant and Messenger of Allah,’ except that the eight gates of Paradise are opened for him, and he may enter through whichever one he wishes” [Sahih Muslim, 234].
The Virtues of Wudu
Wudu has many virtues, including:
- Gaining Allah’s Pleasure: Wudu is a means to attain Allah’s pleasure and love. Allah says, “Indeed, Allah loves those who are constantly repentant and loves those who purify themselves” (إِنَّ اللَّهَ يُحِبُّ التَّوَّابِينَ وَيُحِبُّ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ) [Surah Al-Baqarah, 222]. This refers to those who purify themselves with water from impurity and major ritual impurity.
- Entry to Paradise: As mentioned earlier, performing wudu perfectly and reciting the shahada opens the eight gates of Paradise, allowing entry through any gate.
- Expiation of Sins: Wudu is also a means of expiating sins, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “When a Muslim performs wudu and does it well, his sins come out from his body, even from under his nails” (مَن تَوَضَّأَ فأحْسَنَ الوُضُوءَ خَرَجَتْ خَطَايَاهُ مِن جَسَدِهِ، حتَّى تَخْرُجَ مِن تَحْتِ أَظْفَارِهِ) [Sahih Muslim, 245].