Wudu
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ritual purification, or ablution. The four Fardh (Mandatory) acts of wudu are washing the face, then the arms, then wiping the head, then washing or wiping the feet, and doing these in order without any big breaks between them.[1][2]
Wudu is an important part of ritual purity in Islam. It is governed by fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence),[3] which specifies hygienical jurisprudence and defines the rituals that constitute it. Ritual purity is called tahara. Wudu is typically performed before postpartum status, and sexual intercourse.[4]
Wudu is often translated as 'partial ablution', as opposed to ghusl 'full ablution' where the whole body is washed. It also contrasts with tayammum or "dry ablution", which uses sand or dust in place of water principally due to water scarcity or other harmful effects on the person.[5] Basis of WuduQuranQur'an 2:222 says "For God loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean."[2:222] The Islamic prophet Muhammad said that "Cleanliness is half of faith."[6]
Fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence)Wudu by itself is a mustahabb ("recommended act"), but it becomes obligatory in special conditions such as salah and tawaf.[7] Description in HadithWudu in a hadith of Day of Resurrection, said that Muhammad, when asked if he would be able to recognize Muslims, said, "Yes, you would have a mark which other people will not have. You would come to me with a white blaze on your foreheads and white marks on your feet because of the traces of ablution."[8]
Abu Hurayra said, "I have heard the prophet (may peace be upon him) say, "In a believer, adornment would reach the places where ablution reaches."[9] Uthman stated that Muhammad said, "He who performed ablution well, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails."[10] Umar reported that Muhammad said, "No one among you does wuḍūʾ and does wuḍūʾ thoroughly – or adequately – and then testifies, 'There is no god but Allah Alone with no partner and I testify that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger', without the eight doors of the Garden being opened to him so that he can enter by whichever of them he wishes."[11] Performing wudu from large bodies of waterJa'far al-Sadiq said in numerous Hadiths that it is permissible to make wudu with water that is not overwhelmed with the smell of dead animals. If there is a dead animal, it is recommended to take wudu from the opposite side of the location of the animal.[12] He also said it is permissible to take wudu from the ponds between Mecca and Medina in which people perform ghusl, dogs and beasts drink, and animals die, so long as the water level is at least up to the knees.[12] Performing wudu from a wellAli al-Rida said that if a drop of urine, blood or animal feces falls into a well, one must remove about ten buckets from it before performing wudu. If the feces has disintegrated into the water, forty to fifty buckets must be removed. Ja'far al-Sadiq also said that if an animal falls into the well, and has not disintegrated in it, one should remove five to seven buckets of water from it until the smell or taste of the water changes. However, if the animal is bleeding or has an open wound, one must draw out thirty to forty buckets before it becomes purified for wudu. If a camel dies in the well or wine is poured into the well, all the water must be drained.[12] Wudu requirementsTypes of water
The water of Wudu must be muṭlaq, meaning pure or unmixed (not necessarily chemically pure). The name of a liquid that is normally regarded by individuals as water.[13]
Other acts performed during wuḍūʾ and the detailed acts of the wuḍūʾ can be classed into three types: Farā'id according to Sunni MuslimsAccording to Sunni Muslims, the Qur'anic mandate for wudu comes in the sixth Maulana Muhammad Ali as follows.[a] Nevertheless, the vast majority of Sunni scholars also accept wiping over covered feet, subject to certain conditions.
Referencing the above verse, the Sunni schools of thought have consensus that the following four actions are i.e. necessary for wudu to be valid:
The obligation of the following actions is debated among the schools of fiqh, though if not deemed obligatory they are considered recommended:
It is not sufficient for one to pass wet hand over the feet. Under certain conditions, it can be done over slippers or traditional leather footwear called khuffayn.[17] This is confirmed in several hadiths.
Farā'id according to Shia Muslims   Salat or other prayersShi'a Muslims also believe the Qur'anic mandate for wuḍūʾ comes in the sixth ayat of al-Ma'idah. The āyah has been translated by Muhammad Habib Shakir.[25]
Mustahabbāt (recommended acts)There are a handful of recommended acts, but if omitted, the wuḍūʾ is still valid.
Alternatives Muslims who are unable to perform the prevailing form of ablution due to skin disease, a disability, or a lack of clean water, etc. are recommended to perform tayammum, sometimes called 'dry ablution', using sand or dust instead of water.[5] Such ritual purity may also be accepted in cases in weather where it would be dangerous.[26] Tayammum is also to be performed when one is defiled and could not perform ghusl.[27] PerformanceWudu in Sunnism
Sunni Muslims generally perform the following:[28]
“Ašhadu ʾan lā ʾilāha ʾilla -llāhu, wa-ʾašhadu ʾanna muḥammadan rasūlu -llāh.” Then one may recite this Dua: “Allahummaz aal-ni minttwwabi-n waz-aal-ni minal mu-ta-tahhirin”[28]
Any part of the body that has not been washed, cleaned or dried improperly can be redone. Invalidation
Theoretically, one can perform one wuḍūʾ for salat and this wudu would be considered valid for the rest of the day, unless you nullify it by certain means. Muslims believe that certain acts invalidate the wudu (often referred to as 'breaking wudu' and 'losing wudu'), although the Qur'an does not explain most of these, and rules differ among schools. According to Hidden Pearls website,
According to Sunni MuslimsAccording to Sunni Islam, the following invalidates wudu:[28]
According to Shia MuslimsAccording to Shia theology, the following invalidate wudu:
Belching and vomiting do not invalidate wudhu; however, it is strongly recommended that the individual rinse his or her mouth following the latter. Bleeding is not considered to invalidate wudhu either, as Ja'far al-Sadiq made it clear in Hadith that a bad wound is not caused to repeat wudhu. This concept further extends to parasites that may exit the body through the two extremities.[12] Cutting one's hair or nails does not invalidate wudhu but he or she should wipe the area with water.[12] See also
References
External links Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ablution in Islam.
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