Let’s see how to do wudu in Islam Step by Step Guide”: Wudu, also known as ablution, is a fundamental act of cleanliness and purification in Islam. It’s a process Muslims perform before they engage in prayer (Salah) or handle the Quran. Wudu is not just about physical cleanliness; it’s also a way to prepare oneself spiritually, ensuring that you’re in a state of purity when you connect with Allah through prayer.
One of the etiquette of Sufism is that they perform ablutions at all times, whether they are travelling or staying. The real reason is that it is not known when death will occur. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal always arranged for ablution. If they had not performed ablutions and had to go to a nearby river to perform new ablutions, they would have performed tayammum first. Fearing that they would die if they reached the river.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: The person who performs ablutions and reasonably performs ablutions, his sins are removed from his body, even from under his fingernails.
The Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “On the Day of Resurrection, you will be in a state where your face, hands and feet will be white and shining because of ablution. Whoever of you has power; let him increase the light of his hands, feet and face.
Why Wudu is Important
Wudu is an essential part of Islamic practice. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) emphasized its significance, teaching that cleanliness is half of faith. Wudu purifies the body, but it also serves as a way to wash away minor sins, providing a fresh start before standing in prayer.
How To Do Wudu Practical Method
There are seven limbs in ablution, and two hands, two feet, face, mouth, and nose are washed, and the head and ears are wiped. The Lord of Glory has reduced it to His servants by His special grace. Reduction: If he had ordered the washing of the whole body every time during ablution, it would have been a restriction that would not have been possible to follow.
This is especially true in areas where very little water is available, or frequent bathing in severe colds can cause discomfort and increase the risk of illness. There is little to be thankful for in this grace of Allah.
The organs that are supposed to be washed are those that are open while the rest of the body is covered. As a result, these exposed organs are constantly contaminated with dust and germs.
In the same way, most human beings’ sins are committed through these exposed organs. Now, since these organs have to appear in the court of Allah and participate in performing the prayers, it has been ordered to cleanse them from contaminants.
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Steps to Perform Wudu Properly
Performing Wudu correctly is crucial to ensure that your prayer is valid. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do Wudu:
- Intention (Niyyah): Start by making a sincere intention in your heart that you’re performing Wudu for the purpose of worshipping Allah. The intention does not need to be spoken aloud.
- Washing the Hands: Begin by washing both hands up to the wrists three times, making sure water reaches between the fingers.
- Rinsing the Mouth: Take water into your mouth with your right hand, swish it around, and spit it out. Repeat this three times.
- Rinsing the Nose: Sniff water into your nostrils with your right hand, then blow it out using your left hand. Do this three times.
- Washing the Face: Wash your face from the forehead to the chin and from ear to ear three times, ensuring that every part of the face is covered.
- Washing the Arms: Wash your right arm up to the elbow three times, then repeat with your left arm. Be sure that water reaches all parts, including between the fingers.
- Wiping the Head (Masah): Wet your hands and pass them over your head, starting from the front to the back and then returning them to the front. This is done once.
- Wiping the Ears: Using the same water, wipe the inside and outside of your ears once.
- Washing the Feet: Wash your right foot up to the ankle three times, making sure water reaches between the toes. Repeat with your left foot.
- Reciting the Shahada: After completing Wudu, it’s recommended to recite the Shahada: “Ashhadu an la ilaha illa Allah, wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluh.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid in Wudu
It’s essential to be aware of common mistakes people make when performing Wudu to ensure it is done correctly:
- Neglecting the Intention: The intention must be in the heart, even though it doesn’t need to be spoken.
- Incomplete Washing: Ensure that each part is washed thoroughly; for example, some people may miss the elbows or ankles.
- Overusing Water: Wudu should be performed with the proper amount of water, as wasting water is discouraged in Islam.
The Spiritual Aspect of Wudu
Wudu is more than just a physical act; it’s a spiritual cleansing that prepares you to stand before Allah. As you wash each part of your body, you should focus on purifying your heart and mind from impurities such as anger, jealousy, and pride. Wudu is an opportunity to renew your intentions and draw closer to Allah.
How To Make Wudu Important
Wudhu is a process by which dust and germs on the external organs of the body, i.e., hands, feet, and face, are expelled with water. But when it is said that water washes away even sins, it is not uncommon for questions to arise in some minds.
- Do the effects of sins and transgressions also exist on the human body?
- Does water also have the intellect and the ability to wash away the pollution of sins?
As far as the first question is concerned, there is no doubt that every sin has a specific contamination, the effects and marks of which are present on the organ from which that sin and sin is headed. Those signs and effects are not hidden.
A Beautiful Story about Wudu
A man came to the service of Hazrat Usman Ghani. Before that, he was looking at a non-mahram woman. When you saw him, he said that a man comes to me with the effect of adultery in his eyes. The man said: Does revelation come even after the Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)? He said: It is not revelation but intellect that believes.
Two men from Lahore attended the service of Hazrat Mian Sher Muhammad Sharqpuri. Before leaving Lahore, these two friends kept entertaining their hearts with the beauty of non-mahram women. Arriving at Sharqpur Sharif, he sat in the Majlis of Hazrat Mian Sahib with great politeness.
Hazrat Mian Sahib came and stood beside them and, looking into their eyes, said: What was there and what is here? That is, they did not protect their eyes from non-women there.
From the above two examples, it is clear that every sin has a certain kind of pollution, which has its effects on the body, and it is not hidden from the eyes of the people of Allah. The water of ablution washes away even those impurities.
If water is life-giving by God’s command to revive the dead earth, will it not itself come to life? Only he who has life and intellect can give life to others.
Wudu with Imam Abu Hanifa
Imam Azam Abo Hanifa used to look at the water and recognize whether it was a major sin or a minor sin. Once, Hazrat visited a pool in Kufa where a young man was performing Wudhu.
Imam Sahib’s eyes fell on the water used by this young man, and he said: My son! Repent of hurting your parents.
He immediately repented before you. Similarly, seeing the water of ablution of a person, he said: Brother, repent from adultery. He also repented immediately.
AQS About Wudu
1. Can Wudu be performed with a small amount of water?
Yes, Wudu can be performed with a small amount of water. The key is to ensure that all required parts are washed thoroughly. Wasting water is discouraged in Islam.
2. What nullifies Wudu?
Wudu is nullified by actions such as urination, defecation, passing gas, deep sleep, and loss of consciousness. If any of these occur, you need to perform Wudu again before praying.
3. Is Wudu necessary before every prayer?
Wudu is required before every prayer unless you remain in a state of Wudu from the previous prayer. If Wudu is broken, it must be renewed before the following prayer.
4. Can Wudu be performed in any order?
The steps of Wudu should be performed in the order described above, as this follows the Sunnah (tradition) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
5. What should I do if I need to remember a step in Wudu?
If you realize you still need to complete Wudu, you should go back and complete the step and any following steps in the correct order.
Conclusion
Wudu is a vital part of a Muslim’s daily life. It ensures that one approaches prayer with both physical and spiritual purity. By understanding and performing Wudu correctly, one can fulfil this important act of worship, drawing closer to Allah and ensuring that one’s prayers are accepted.