IMPURITIES (NAJASAH) IN ISLAM

BY

MALLAM SALIU OSENI

AT

AL-USRAH INCORPORATEDPORTHARCOURT

1ST RABIUL AWWAL 143114TH FEBRUARY 2010

IMPURITIES (NAJASAH) IN ISLAM

INTRODUCTION

Physical purity means cleanliness of the body clothing and environment According the rules of Islam Muslims should keep their bodies and clothings clean from any impurities especially the body wastes of human and animals

Islam insist on the use of clean water to cleanse the body of impurities and only when water is not available can a person use other things Even the clothings should be perfectly clean from any impurities

Purity (Tahacircrah) is a beautiful word that is pleasing to the ears and it is a quality which everyone strives to maintain From an Islamic perspective purity is a word which is general in its meaning It may mean physical cleanliness which is purity (of the body) from impure substances or states of impurity or it may mean spiritual purity which is the purity of onersquos self from vices faults sins and replacing them with good deeds whether in speech or deeds This comprehensive meaning of purity is indicated in the words of Prophet Muhammad as reported by Abu HurairahldquoWhat do you think (Bukhari)

Also the Prayer (Salacirct) is not accepted except one is in a state of purity This state of purity is achieved either through performing ablution (wudhooacute) as in the case of minor impurity or a bath (ghusl) as in the case of major impurity The Prophet saidldquoNo Prayer is accepted rdquo (Muslim)

If a Muslim purifies himself in accordance with Allacirchrsquos commandments and the Prophetrsquos instructions his Prayers will be a means for him to purify himself of sins Allacirch saidldquoTruly Allacirch loves those who turn to Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts and bodies for their prayers)rdquo[Surah al-Baqarah 2222]Islam is a religion of both outward and inward purity Allacirchrsquos Messenger severely warned those who neglect physical purity which is a prerequisite for the validity of certain acts of worship like Prayer circumbulation (Tawacircf) of the Karsquobah touching or holding the Qur`acircn and its likes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs said ldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch passed by two graves and saidldquoIndeed they are being punished but for something which seemed trivial to them this one used not to guard himself from urine whereas the other was used to tale bearingrdquo He requested a green leaf of a palm branch split it into two halves and put a half on each grave He then said ldquoHopefully their punishment will be lightened until they (the branches) become dryrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

MEANING OF AN-NAJASAH (IMPURITY)

An-Najasah simply means anything and everything that normal people consider unclean or impure which they seek to avoid and which they wash from thier garments if it affects them such as feces and urine The original state of things as is known from the generality and particulars of the purified Islamic Law ndash is purity

In Islamic Law Najis are things or persons regarded as ritually unclean There are two kinds of NajisThe essential Najis which cannot be cleansed and the unessential najis which becomes najis when in contact with another najisContact with things that are impure brings a muslim into a state of impurity (Najasat) which requires undergoing purification before performing religious duties such as regular prayersAllah said (Q590)ldquoO you who believe Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks) and gambling and Al-Ansab (animals that are sacrificed on stone-altars) and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are abominations of Shaitanrsquos handiwork So avoid (strickly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful

According to the Shafi school of Sunni Islamic Jurisprudence as systematized by An-Nawawi in his book Minhadj the following things are Najis (impure)

a Wine and other spiritual drinksb Dogsc Swinesd Dead animals that were not ritually slaughterede Bloodf Excrements g Milk of animals whose meat muslims are not allowed to eat andh Any meat of an animal which is killed in a manner other than that

prescribed by Islam

1048714 Purification is one of the qualities of the true nature (fitrah) of humans

The Prophet saidldquoTen acts are from the true nature namely clipping the moustache leaving the beard to grow brushing the teeth rinsing the nose with water clipping the nails washing all the finger joints removing the hair of the armpits shaving the pubic hair and cleaning the private parts with water (after call of nature) Muslsquoab [the narrator] said ldquoI have forgotten the tenth but it may have been rinsing the mouthrdquo (Muslim)Fitrah means the true nature in which Allah created all humans and removing unwanted hair from the body is an act of fitrah Referring to this the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said in another narration that ldquoThe fitrah is five things circumcision trimming the moustache cutting the nails plucking the armpit hairs and shaving the pubic hairsrdquo (Reported by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

It is a Sunnah to remove the pubic hair and hair under the armpits for the purposes of general hygiene and cleanliness Hair in such areas is considered unwanted It is makruh to let them grow for more than forty days

Maintaining purity and cleanliness is a major means of protection from infections It is common knowledge that lsquoprevention is better than curersquo In previous times it was said ldquoA [penny] spent on prevention is better than a [million] spent on the curerdquo

FORMS OF IMPURITIES

1 Human urine this is based on the hadith of Anas Ibn Malik who said ldquoA Bedouin stood up and started urinating in the mosque The people caught him but the Prophet ordered them to leave him and to pour a bucket of water over the place where he had passed the urinerdquo bukhari

2 Human feces this is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah who reported from the Prophet that ldquoIf any of you puts his shoes in something harmful then dust will purify itrdquo Abu dawood narrated it

3 Al-Mazi This is the fluid that is secreted at the time of sexual foreplay or kissing it is secreted by both men and women It is reported on the authority of Ali that he said ldquoI used to secrete Mazi so I asked a man to ask the Messenger of Allah about it I was shy to do so because of my position with respect to his daughter He said ldquoPerform wudhoorsquo and wash your genitalrdquo

4 Al-WadiThis is a fluid secreted following urination (by some men) It is impure the evidence for which is the consensus of the scholars (Ijmarsquo) Imam An-Nawawi said ldquothe scholars of the nation are in absolute agreement that Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi are impurerdquo Al-Baihaqi narrated on the authority of Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoAl-Mani Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi As for Al-Manirsquo it requires ghusl while the other two necessitate Wudhoorsquo a person should wash his genital and then perform Wudhoorsquordquo

5 A dogrsquos salivaThis is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah in which he said the Messenger of Allah said ldquoif a dog licks a vessel belonging to anyone of you he should pour it away and then wash the vessel seven timesrdquo

6 Menstrual bloodThis is based on the Hadith of Asmarsquo bint Abu Bakr Regarding blood of menses that smears the garment the Messenger of Allah replied ldquoShe should scrape it rub it with water and sprinkle (water on) it then she may pray in itrdquo

7 The dung of animals whose flesh may not be eaten Abdullah Ibn Masrsquoood said ldquoThe Prophet went out to relieve himself and asked me to bring three stones I found two stones and searched for the third

but could not find it So I took a dried piece of dung and brought it to him He took the two stones and threw away the dung and said This is lsquoRiksrsquordquo

8 The carcasses of dead animalsThese are animals that died of natural causes without being slaughtered in accordance with Islamic Law This is based upon the Hadith of Ibn lsquoAbbas who said ldquoI heard the messenger of Allah saying Once Al-Ihab(skin or hide that has not been tanned) has been tanned it is purerdquo In this hadith there is proof that the skin from the carcass of a dead animal is impure and that it is purified by tanning

EXCEPTION FROM NAJASAH (IMPURITIES) ARE

1 A Muslim does not become impure upon death Ibn Abbas reported the Messenger of Allah to have said ldquoDo not deem your dead to be impure for the muslim is not impure regardless of whether he is alive or deadrdquoSimilarly A muslim never becomes impure This is based on the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (in which it is stated that the Prophet met him in one of the streets of Al Madinah when he was in a state of Janabah he said

2 The hair and body parts of a muslim do not become impure by being disconnected from the body

3 Dead fish and Lucusts Ibn lsquoAmr said that the Messenger of Allah said ldquoTwo dead things and two kinds of blood have been made permissible for us

4 Dead things which do not have flowing blood are pure such as the bee the ant the beetles the fly the scorpion etc

5 The bones horns hooves feathers hair milk or rennet of dead animals are pure

6 The impurity of the meat of an animal whose flesh may not be eaten if it is slaughtered Anas said ldquoWe obtain some donkey meat (ie on the day of the Battle of Khaibar) and the caller of the Messenger of Allah announced lsquoVerily Allah and his Messenger forbid you to eat donkey meat for it is unclean or impurersquordquo

CLEANLINESS IN ISLAM IS OF THREE KINDS

1- Purification from impurity (ie to attain purity or cleanliness by taking a bath ghusl or performing ablution wudhoorsquo in states in which a bath or ablution is necessary or desirable according to Islamic Law

2- Cleansing onersquos body dress or place from an impurity of filth

3- Removing the dirt or grime that collects in various parts of the body such as cleaning the teeth and nostrils the trimming of nails and the removing of armpit and pubic hair

REMOVING IMPURITY WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN WATER

There is a disagreement among scholars regarding the issue of removing impurity with something other than water Most of them are of the opinion that the use of water is obligatory to remove all sorts of impurities except what Islam permitted to be purified with other than water like shoes and the womens clothing that trails on the ground and the use of stones to purify oneself from excrement

Imaam An-Nawawi (from the Shaafiee school) said in Al-Majmoo Removing impurities can not be done except with clean water He added This is the opinion of the Shaafiee school and it is reported from the majority of Salaf (rightly guided predecessors) and the companions

Abu Haneefah however is of the opinion that impurity can be removed with any liquid that is pure Ibn Taymiyyahs opinion is close to Abu Haneefahs

The only difference is that Ibn Taymiyyah has a more detailed opinion about this matter he said There are three opinions regarding removing impurity with something other than water First As-Shaafiee forbids that Second Abu Haneefah considers it lawful This is one of two statements for both Imaam Maalik and Imaam Ahmad The third opinion in the Hanbali school is that it accepts removing impurity with something other than water when there is necessity

Ibn Taymiyyah then said The Prophets Sunnah orders us to use water in removing impurities for the saying of the Prophet to Asmaa [Fatwa Kubra (Volume 1)]

PURIFICATION OF AN-NAJASAH

1 Purifying onersquos garment from the urine of a breastfeeding child This is based upon Hadith by Abu Samh who reported Allahrsquos Apostle to have said ldquoIt is only the urine of a female (infant) which should be washed the urine of a male (infant) should be sprinkled overrdquo

2 Concerning ground that has been affected by impurity there are two aspects regarding its purity

3 Purifying onersquos garment when it is soiled by blood or menstrual blood The Messenger of Allah said ldquoIf the dress of any of you is soiled by menstrual blood she should scrape it then she should sprinkle it with water then she should pray in itrdquo

4 Purifying the hem of a womanrsquos dress this is based upon the Hadith of Humaidah in which it is stated that she asked Umm Salamah the wife of the

Prophet a question saying ldquoI am a woman who has a long hem on her dress and I walk in places where there is dirt (so what should I do)rdquo Umm Salmah replied ldquoThe Messenger of Allah said lsquoThat which follows it purifies itrsquo

5 Purifying onersquos garment from Al-Mazi by sprinkling this is based upon the hadith of Sahl Ibn Haneef who said ldquo He replied lsquoIt is sufficient if you take a handful of water and sprinkle it on your clothes when you find it has stained themrsquo

6 Cleaning the botom of onersquos shoes by scraping Abu Sarsquoeed Al-Khudri stated that the Prophet said ldquoIf any of you goes to the mosque he should turn his shoes over and examine them and if he sees any filth he should wipe them on the ground then he should pray in themrdquo

7 Purifying a vessel when a dog has licked it Abu Hurairah said ldquoThe messenger of Allah said

8 Purifying the skin of a dead animal by tanning it is reported on the authority Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoI heard from the Messenger of Allah saying lsquoWhen a skin has been tanned it is purifiedrsquordquo

WHAT IS WUDHOOacute

Wudhooacute is the purification of specific parts of the body - namely the face the two hands the head and the two feet by the use of water It is a condition for the validity of both obligatory and voluntary prayers

A DESCRIPTION OF A COMPLETE WUDHOOacute

1048714 The Intention (Niyyah) The niyyah is an action performed by the heart and has nothing to do with the tongue The evidence that the niyyah is obligatory is the saying of the MessengerldquoAll deeds depend on their intention and each person will be rewarded according to what he intendsrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Uttering ldquoBismillaahrdquo (ie with the name of Allacirch) before beginning the wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah which states that the Prophet saidldquoThere is no wudooacute for the one who does not mention the Name of Allacirchrdquo (ad-Daarimi)Washing the body parts in wudhoorsquo as narrated by Humran Uthman called for ablution water He washed his hands three times He then rinsed his mouth snuffed up water and cleared his nose with water He then washed his face three times then

washed his right arm up to the elbow three times then the left one like that He then wiped his head He then washed his right foot up to the ankles three times then the left one like that He thereupon said I saw Allahrsquos Apostle when he had performed an ablution like this of mine (Bukhari and Muslim)

Also in a hadeeth narrated by Nalsquoeem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir he saidldquoI saw Abu Hurairah perform wudooacute He washed his face and did so perfectly Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm then the left hand the same He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin then the left foot the same He then said lsquoThis is how I saw the Messenger of Allacirch perform wudooacutersquo He said lsquoYou will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudooacute perfectly So Whoever is able let him increase the brightness of his head arms and legsrsquo rdquo (Muslim)Ibn lsquoUmar said ldquoOnce the Prophet remained behind us in a journey He caught up to us while we were performing wudooacute for the prayer which was over-due We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice lsquoWoe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hell-firersquo rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Washing the parts of wudooacute in the correct sequence Allacirch saidldquoO you who believe When you rise up for Prayer wash your faces and hands up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the anklesrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]1048714 One should make wudooacute in succession In a hadeeth the Prophet saw a man praying but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet Upon this the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudooacute and Prayerrdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

MINIMUM REQUIRED ACTS FOR A VALID WUDHOOacute

The following acts of the wudooacute are obligatory and a personrsquos wudooacute is incomplete without them1048714 One must make niyyah but without uttering it as preceded1048714 One must say ldquoBismillaahrdquo before commencing the wudooacute1048714 One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once both with the same handful of water1048714 One must wash his face once1048714 One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows1048714 One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once1048714 One must wash his feet up to the ankles once1048714 One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts and he should do so in succession

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

IMPURITIES (NAJASAH) IN ISLAM

INTRODUCTION

Physical purity means cleanliness of the body clothing and environment According the rules of Islam Muslims should keep their bodies and clothings clean from any impurities especially the body wastes of human and animals

Islam insist on the use of clean water to cleanse the body of impurities and only when water is not available can a person use other things Even the clothings should be perfectly clean from any impurities

Purity (Tahacircrah) is a beautiful word that is pleasing to the ears and it is a quality which everyone strives to maintain From an Islamic perspective purity is a word which is general in its meaning It may mean physical cleanliness which is purity (of the body) from impure substances or states of impurity or it may mean spiritual purity which is the purity of onersquos self from vices faults sins and replacing them with good deeds whether in speech or deeds This comprehensive meaning of purity is indicated in the words of Prophet Muhammad as reported by Abu HurairahldquoWhat do you think (Bukhari)

Also the Prayer (Salacirct) is not accepted except one is in a state of purity This state of purity is achieved either through performing ablution (wudhooacute) as in the case of minor impurity or a bath (ghusl) as in the case of major impurity The Prophet saidldquoNo Prayer is accepted rdquo (Muslim)

If a Muslim purifies himself in accordance with Allacirchrsquos commandments and the Prophetrsquos instructions his Prayers will be a means for him to purify himself of sins Allacirch saidldquoTruly Allacirch loves those who turn to Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts and bodies for their prayers)rdquo[Surah al-Baqarah 2222]Islam is a religion of both outward and inward purity Allacirchrsquos Messenger severely warned those who neglect physical purity which is a prerequisite for the validity of certain acts of worship like Prayer circumbulation (Tawacircf) of the Karsquobah touching or holding the Qur`acircn and its likes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs said ldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch passed by two graves and saidldquoIndeed they are being punished but for something which seemed trivial to them this one used not to guard himself from urine whereas the other was used to tale bearingrdquo He requested a green leaf of a palm branch split it into two halves and put a half on each grave He then said ldquoHopefully their punishment will be lightened until they (the branches) become dryrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

MEANING OF AN-NAJASAH (IMPURITY)

An-Najasah simply means anything and everything that normal people consider unclean or impure which they seek to avoid and which they wash from thier garments if it affects them such as feces and urine The original state of things as is known from the generality and particulars of the purified Islamic Law ndash is purity

In Islamic Law Najis are things or persons regarded as ritually unclean There are two kinds of NajisThe essential Najis which cannot be cleansed and the unessential najis which becomes najis when in contact with another najisContact with things that are impure brings a muslim into a state of impurity (Najasat) which requires undergoing purification before performing religious duties such as regular prayersAllah said (Q590)ldquoO you who believe Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks) and gambling and Al-Ansab (animals that are sacrificed on stone-altars) and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are abominations of Shaitanrsquos handiwork So avoid (strickly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful

According to the Shafi school of Sunni Islamic Jurisprudence as systematized by An-Nawawi in his book Minhadj the following things are Najis (impure)

a Wine and other spiritual drinksb Dogsc Swinesd Dead animals that were not ritually slaughterede Bloodf Excrements g Milk of animals whose meat muslims are not allowed to eat andh Any meat of an animal which is killed in a manner other than that

prescribed by Islam

1048714 Purification is one of the qualities of the true nature (fitrah) of humans

The Prophet saidldquoTen acts are from the true nature namely clipping the moustache leaving the beard to grow brushing the teeth rinsing the nose with water clipping the nails washing all the finger joints removing the hair of the armpits shaving the pubic hair and cleaning the private parts with water (after call of nature) Muslsquoab [the narrator] said ldquoI have forgotten the tenth but it may have been rinsing the mouthrdquo (Muslim)Fitrah means the true nature in which Allah created all humans and removing unwanted hair from the body is an act of fitrah Referring to this the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said in another narration that ldquoThe fitrah is five things circumcision trimming the moustache cutting the nails plucking the armpit hairs and shaving the pubic hairsrdquo (Reported by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

It is a Sunnah to remove the pubic hair and hair under the armpits for the purposes of general hygiene and cleanliness Hair in such areas is considered unwanted It is makruh to let them grow for more than forty days

Maintaining purity and cleanliness is a major means of protection from infections It is common knowledge that lsquoprevention is better than curersquo In previous times it was said ldquoA [penny] spent on prevention is better than a [million] spent on the curerdquo

FORMS OF IMPURITIES

1 Human urine this is based on the hadith of Anas Ibn Malik who said ldquoA Bedouin stood up and started urinating in the mosque The people caught him but the Prophet ordered them to leave him and to pour a bucket of water over the place where he had passed the urinerdquo bukhari

2 Human feces this is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah who reported from the Prophet that ldquoIf any of you puts his shoes in something harmful then dust will purify itrdquo Abu dawood narrated it

3 Al-Mazi This is the fluid that is secreted at the time of sexual foreplay or kissing it is secreted by both men and women It is reported on the authority of Ali that he said ldquoI used to secrete Mazi so I asked a man to ask the Messenger of Allah about it I was shy to do so because of my position with respect to his daughter He said ldquoPerform wudhoorsquo and wash your genitalrdquo

4 Al-WadiThis is a fluid secreted following urination (by some men) It is impure the evidence for which is the consensus of the scholars (Ijmarsquo) Imam An-Nawawi said ldquothe scholars of the nation are in absolute agreement that Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi are impurerdquo Al-Baihaqi narrated on the authority of Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoAl-Mani Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi As for Al-Manirsquo it requires ghusl while the other two necessitate Wudhoorsquo a person should wash his genital and then perform Wudhoorsquordquo

5 A dogrsquos salivaThis is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah in which he said the Messenger of Allah said ldquoif a dog licks a vessel belonging to anyone of you he should pour it away and then wash the vessel seven timesrdquo

6 Menstrual bloodThis is based on the Hadith of Asmarsquo bint Abu Bakr Regarding blood of menses that smears the garment the Messenger of Allah replied ldquoShe should scrape it rub it with water and sprinkle (water on) it then she may pray in itrdquo

7 The dung of animals whose flesh may not be eaten Abdullah Ibn Masrsquoood said ldquoThe Prophet went out to relieve himself and asked me to bring three stones I found two stones and searched for the third

but could not find it So I took a dried piece of dung and brought it to him He took the two stones and threw away the dung and said This is lsquoRiksrsquordquo

8 The carcasses of dead animalsThese are animals that died of natural causes without being slaughtered in accordance with Islamic Law This is based upon the Hadith of Ibn lsquoAbbas who said ldquoI heard the messenger of Allah saying Once Al-Ihab(skin or hide that has not been tanned) has been tanned it is purerdquo In this hadith there is proof that the skin from the carcass of a dead animal is impure and that it is purified by tanning

EXCEPTION FROM NAJASAH (IMPURITIES) ARE

1 A Muslim does not become impure upon death Ibn Abbas reported the Messenger of Allah to have said ldquoDo not deem your dead to be impure for the muslim is not impure regardless of whether he is alive or deadrdquoSimilarly A muslim never becomes impure This is based on the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (in which it is stated that the Prophet met him in one of the streets of Al Madinah when he was in a state of Janabah he said

2 The hair and body parts of a muslim do not become impure by being disconnected from the body

3 Dead fish and Lucusts Ibn lsquoAmr said that the Messenger of Allah said ldquoTwo dead things and two kinds of blood have been made permissible for us

4 Dead things which do not have flowing blood are pure such as the bee the ant the beetles the fly the scorpion etc

5 The bones horns hooves feathers hair milk or rennet of dead animals are pure

6 The impurity of the meat of an animal whose flesh may not be eaten if it is slaughtered Anas said ldquoWe obtain some donkey meat (ie on the day of the Battle of Khaibar) and the caller of the Messenger of Allah announced lsquoVerily Allah and his Messenger forbid you to eat donkey meat for it is unclean or impurersquordquo

CLEANLINESS IN ISLAM IS OF THREE KINDS

1- Purification from impurity (ie to attain purity or cleanliness by taking a bath ghusl or performing ablution wudhoorsquo in states in which a bath or ablution is necessary or desirable according to Islamic Law

2- Cleansing onersquos body dress or place from an impurity of filth

3- Removing the dirt or grime that collects in various parts of the body such as cleaning the teeth and nostrils the trimming of nails and the removing of armpit and pubic hair

REMOVING IMPURITY WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN WATER

There is a disagreement among scholars regarding the issue of removing impurity with something other than water Most of them are of the opinion that the use of water is obligatory to remove all sorts of impurities except what Islam permitted to be purified with other than water like shoes and the womens clothing that trails on the ground and the use of stones to purify oneself from excrement

Imaam An-Nawawi (from the Shaafiee school) said in Al-Majmoo Removing impurities can not be done except with clean water He added This is the opinion of the Shaafiee school and it is reported from the majority of Salaf (rightly guided predecessors) and the companions

Abu Haneefah however is of the opinion that impurity can be removed with any liquid that is pure Ibn Taymiyyahs opinion is close to Abu Haneefahs

The only difference is that Ibn Taymiyyah has a more detailed opinion about this matter he said There are three opinions regarding removing impurity with something other than water First As-Shaafiee forbids that Second Abu Haneefah considers it lawful This is one of two statements for both Imaam Maalik and Imaam Ahmad The third opinion in the Hanbali school is that it accepts removing impurity with something other than water when there is necessity

Ibn Taymiyyah then said The Prophets Sunnah orders us to use water in removing impurities for the saying of the Prophet to Asmaa [Fatwa Kubra (Volume 1)]

PURIFICATION OF AN-NAJASAH

1 Purifying onersquos garment from the urine of a breastfeeding child This is based upon Hadith by Abu Samh who reported Allahrsquos Apostle to have said ldquoIt is only the urine of a female (infant) which should be washed the urine of a male (infant) should be sprinkled overrdquo

2 Concerning ground that has been affected by impurity there are two aspects regarding its purity

3 Purifying onersquos garment when it is soiled by blood or menstrual blood The Messenger of Allah said ldquoIf the dress of any of you is soiled by menstrual blood she should scrape it then she should sprinkle it with water then she should pray in itrdquo

4 Purifying the hem of a womanrsquos dress this is based upon the Hadith of Humaidah in which it is stated that she asked Umm Salamah the wife of the

Prophet a question saying ldquoI am a woman who has a long hem on her dress and I walk in places where there is dirt (so what should I do)rdquo Umm Salmah replied ldquoThe Messenger of Allah said lsquoThat which follows it purifies itrsquo

5 Purifying onersquos garment from Al-Mazi by sprinkling this is based upon the hadith of Sahl Ibn Haneef who said ldquo He replied lsquoIt is sufficient if you take a handful of water and sprinkle it on your clothes when you find it has stained themrsquo

6 Cleaning the botom of onersquos shoes by scraping Abu Sarsquoeed Al-Khudri stated that the Prophet said ldquoIf any of you goes to the mosque he should turn his shoes over and examine them and if he sees any filth he should wipe them on the ground then he should pray in themrdquo

7 Purifying a vessel when a dog has licked it Abu Hurairah said ldquoThe messenger of Allah said

8 Purifying the skin of a dead animal by tanning it is reported on the authority Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoI heard from the Messenger of Allah saying lsquoWhen a skin has been tanned it is purifiedrsquordquo

WHAT IS WUDHOOacute

Wudhooacute is the purification of specific parts of the body - namely the face the two hands the head and the two feet by the use of water It is a condition for the validity of both obligatory and voluntary prayers

A DESCRIPTION OF A COMPLETE WUDHOOacute

1048714 The Intention (Niyyah) The niyyah is an action performed by the heart and has nothing to do with the tongue The evidence that the niyyah is obligatory is the saying of the MessengerldquoAll deeds depend on their intention and each person will be rewarded according to what he intendsrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Uttering ldquoBismillaahrdquo (ie with the name of Allacirch) before beginning the wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah which states that the Prophet saidldquoThere is no wudooacute for the one who does not mention the Name of Allacirchrdquo (ad-Daarimi)Washing the body parts in wudhoorsquo as narrated by Humran Uthman called for ablution water He washed his hands three times He then rinsed his mouth snuffed up water and cleared his nose with water He then washed his face three times then

washed his right arm up to the elbow three times then the left one like that He then wiped his head He then washed his right foot up to the ankles three times then the left one like that He thereupon said I saw Allahrsquos Apostle when he had performed an ablution like this of mine (Bukhari and Muslim)

Also in a hadeeth narrated by Nalsquoeem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir he saidldquoI saw Abu Hurairah perform wudooacute He washed his face and did so perfectly Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm then the left hand the same He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin then the left foot the same He then said lsquoThis is how I saw the Messenger of Allacirch perform wudooacutersquo He said lsquoYou will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudooacute perfectly So Whoever is able let him increase the brightness of his head arms and legsrsquo rdquo (Muslim)Ibn lsquoUmar said ldquoOnce the Prophet remained behind us in a journey He caught up to us while we were performing wudooacute for the prayer which was over-due We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice lsquoWoe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hell-firersquo rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Washing the parts of wudooacute in the correct sequence Allacirch saidldquoO you who believe When you rise up for Prayer wash your faces and hands up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the anklesrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]1048714 One should make wudooacute in succession In a hadeeth the Prophet saw a man praying but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet Upon this the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudooacute and Prayerrdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

MINIMUM REQUIRED ACTS FOR A VALID WUDHOOacute

The following acts of the wudooacute are obligatory and a personrsquos wudooacute is incomplete without them1048714 One must make niyyah but without uttering it as preceded1048714 One must say ldquoBismillaahrdquo before commencing the wudooacute1048714 One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once both with the same handful of water1048714 One must wash his face once1048714 One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows1048714 One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once1048714 One must wash his feet up to the ankles once1048714 One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts and he should do so in succession

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

INTRODUCTION

Physical purity means cleanliness of the body clothing and environment According the rules of Islam Muslims should keep their bodies and clothings clean from any impurities especially the body wastes of human and animals

Islam insist on the use of clean water to cleanse the body of impurities and only when water is not available can a person use other things Even the clothings should be perfectly clean from any impurities

Purity (Tahacircrah) is a beautiful word that is pleasing to the ears and it is a quality which everyone strives to maintain From an Islamic perspective purity is a word which is general in its meaning It may mean physical cleanliness which is purity (of the body) from impure substances or states of impurity or it may mean spiritual purity which is the purity of onersquos self from vices faults sins and replacing them with good deeds whether in speech or deeds This comprehensive meaning of purity is indicated in the words of Prophet Muhammad as reported by Abu HurairahldquoWhat do you think (Bukhari)

Also the Prayer (Salacirct) is not accepted except one is in a state of purity This state of purity is achieved either through performing ablution (wudhooacute) as in the case of minor impurity or a bath (ghusl) as in the case of major impurity The Prophet saidldquoNo Prayer is accepted rdquo (Muslim)

If a Muslim purifies himself in accordance with Allacirchrsquos commandments and the Prophetrsquos instructions his Prayers will be a means for him to purify himself of sins Allacirch saidldquoTruly Allacirch loves those who turn to Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts and bodies for their prayers)rdquo[Surah al-Baqarah 2222]Islam is a religion of both outward and inward purity Allacirchrsquos Messenger severely warned those who neglect physical purity which is a prerequisite for the validity of certain acts of worship like Prayer circumbulation (Tawacircf) of the Karsquobah touching or holding the Qur`acircn and its likes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs said ldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch passed by two graves and saidldquoIndeed they are being punished but for something which seemed trivial to them this one used not to guard himself from urine whereas the other was used to tale bearingrdquo He requested a green leaf of a palm branch split it into two halves and put a half on each grave He then said ldquoHopefully their punishment will be lightened until they (the branches) become dryrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

MEANING OF AN-NAJASAH (IMPURITY)

An-Najasah simply means anything and everything that normal people consider unclean or impure which they seek to avoid and which they wash from thier garments if it affects them such as feces and urine The original state of things as is known from the generality and particulars of the purified Islamic Law ndash is purity

In Islamic Law Najis are things or persons regarded as ritually unclean There are two kinds of NajisThe essential Najis which cannot be cleansed and the unessential najis which becomes najis when in contact with another najisContact with things that are impure brings a muslim into a state of impurity (Najasat) which requires undergoing purification before performing religious duties such as regular prayersAllah said (Q590)ldquoO you who believe Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks) and gambling and Al-Ansab (animals that are sacrificed on stone-altars) and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are abominations of Shaitanrsquos handiwork So avoid (strickly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful

According to the Shafi school of Sunni Islamic Jurisprudence as systematized by An-Nawawi in his book Minhadj the following things are Najis (impure)

a Wine and other spiritual drinksb Dogsc Swinesd Dead animals that were not ritually slaughterede Bloodf Excrements g Milk of animals whose meat muslims are not allowed to eat andh Any meat of an animal which is killed in a manner other than that

prescribed by Islam

1048714 Purification is one of the qualities of the true nature (fitrah) of humans

The Prophet saidldquoTen acts are from the true nature namely clipping the moustache leaving the beard to grow brushing the teeth rinsing the nose with water clipping the nails washing all the finger joints removing the hair of the armpits shaving the pubic hair and cleaning the private parts with water (after call of nature) Muslsquoab [the narrator] said ldquoI have forgotten the tenth but it may have been rinsing the mouthrdquo (Muslim)Fitrah means the true nature in which Allah created all humans and removing unwanted hair from the body is an act of fitrah Referring to this the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said in another narration that ldquoThe fitrah is five things circumcision trimming the moustache cutting the nails plucking the armpit hairs and shaving the pubic hairsrdquo (Reported by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

It is a Sunnah to remove the pubic hair and hair under the armpits for the purposes of general hygiene and cleanliness Hair in such areas is considered unwanted It is makruh to let them grow for more than forty days

Maintaining purity and cleanliness is a major means of protection from infections It is common knowledge that lsquoprevention is better than curersquo In previous times it was said ldquoA [penny] spent on prevention is better than a [million] spent on the curerdquo

FORMS OF IMPURITIES

1 Human urine this is based on the hadith of Anas Ibn Malik who said ldquoA Bedouin stood up and started urinating in the mosque The people caught him but the Prophet ordered them to leave him and to pour a bucket of water over the place where he had passed the urinerdquo bukhari

2 Human feces this is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah who reported from the Prophet that ldquoIf any of you puts his shoes in something harmful then dust will purify itrdquo Abu dawood narrated it

3 Al-Mazi This is the fluid that is secreted at the time of sexual foreplay or kissing it is secreted by both men and women It is reported on the authority of Ali that he said ldquoI used to secrete Mazi so I asked a man to ask the Messenger of Allah about it I was shy to do so because of my position with respect to his daughter He said ldquoPerform wudhoorsquo and wash your genitalrdquo

4 Al-WadiThis is a fluid secreted following urination (by some men) It is impure the evidence for which is the consensus of the scholars (Ijmarsquo) Imam An-Nawawi said ldquothe scholars of the nation are in absolute agreement that Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi are impurerdquo Al-Baihaqi narrated on the authority of Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoAl-Mani Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi As for Al-Manirsquo it requires ghusl while the other two necessitate Wudhoorsquo a person should wash his genital and then perform Wudhoorsquordquo

5 A dogrsquos salivaThis is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah in which he said the Messenger of Allah said ldquoif a dog licks a vessel belonging to anyone of you he should pour it away and then wash the vessel seven timesrdquo

6 Menstrual bloodThis is based on the Hadith of Asmarsquo bint Abu Bakr Regarding blood of menses that smears the garment the Messenger of Allah replied ldquoShe should scrape it rub it with water and sprinkle (water on) it then she may pray in itrdquo

7 The dung of animals whose flesh may not be eaten Abdullah Ibn Masrsquoood said ldquoThe Prophet went out to relieve himself and asked me to bring three stones I found two stones and searched for the third

but could not find it So I took a dried piece of dung and brought it to him He took the two stones and threw away the dung and said This is lsquoRiksrsquordquo

8 The carcasses of dead animalsThese are animals that died of natural causes without being slaughtered in accordance with Islamic Law This is based upon the Hadith of Ibn lsquoAbbas who said ldquoI heard the messenger of Allah saying Once Al-Ihab(skin or hide that has not been tanned) has been tanned it is purerdquo In this hadith there is proof that the skin from the carcass of a dead animal is impure and that it is purified by tanning

EXCEPTION FROM NAJASAH (IMPURITIES) ARE

1 A Muslim does not become impure upon death Ibn Abbas reported the Messenger of Allah to have said ldquoDo not deem your dead to be impure for the muslim is not impure regardless of whether he is alive or deadrdquoSimilarly A muslim never becomes impure This is based on the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (in which it is stated that the Prophet met him in one of the streets of Al Madinah when he was in a state of Janabah he said

2 The hair and body parts of a muslim do not become impure by being disconnected from the body

3 Dead fish and Lucusts Ibn lsquoAmr said that the Messenger of Allah said ldquoTwo dead things and two kinds of blood have been made permissible for us

4 Dead things which do not have flowing blood are pure such as the bee the ant the beetles the fly the scorpion etc

5 The bones horns hooves feathers hair milk or rennet of dead animals are pure

6 The impurity of the meat of an animal whose flesh may not be eaten if it is slaughtered Anas said ldquoWe obtain some donkey meat (ie on the day of the Battle of Khaibar) and the caller of the Messenger of Allah announced lsquoVerily Allah and his Messenger forbid you to eat donkey meat for it is unclean or impurersquordquo

CLEANLINESS IN ISLAM IS OF THREE KINDS

1- Purification from impurity (ie to attain purity or cleanliness by taking a bath ghusl or performing ablution wudhoorsquo in states in which a bath or ablution is necessary or desirable according to Islamic Law

2- Cleansing onersquos body dress or place from an impurity of filth

3- Removing the dirt or grime that collects in various parts of the body such as cleaning the teeth and nostrils the trimming of nails and the removing of armpit and pubic hair

REMOVING IMPURITY WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN WATER

There is a disagreement among scholars regarding the issue of removing impurity with something other than water Most of them are of the opinion that the use of water is obligatory to remove all sorts of impurities except what Islam permitted to be purified with other than water like shoes and the womens clothing that trails on the ground and the use of stones to purify oneself from excrement

Imaam An-Nawawi (from the Shaafiee school) said in Al-Majmoo Removing impurities can not be done except with clean water He added This is the opinion of the Shaafiee school and it is reported from the majority of Salaf (rightly guided predecessors) and the companions

Abu Haneefah however is of the opinion that impurity can be removed with any liquid that is pure Ibn Taymiyyahs opinion is close to Abu Haneefahs

The only difference is that Ibn Taymiyyah has a more detailed opinion about this matter he said There are three opinions regarding removing impurity with something other than water First As-Shaafiee forbids that Second Abu Haneefah considers it lawful This is one of two statements for both Imaam Maalik and Imaam Ahmad The third opinion in the Hanbali school is that it accepts removing impurity with something other than water when there is necessity

Ibn Taymiyyah then said The Prophets Sunnah orders us to use water in removing impurities for the saying of the Prophet to Asmaa [Fatwa Kubra (Volume 1)]

PURIFICATION OF AN-NAJASAH

1 Purifying onersquos garment from the urine of a breastfeeding child This is based upon Hadith by Abu Samh who reported Allahrsquos Apostle to have said ldquoIt is only the urine of a female (infant) which should be washed the urine of a male (infant) should be sprinkled overrdquo

2 Concerning ground that has been affected by impurity there are two aspects regarding its purity

3 Purifying onersquos garment when it is soiled by blood or menstrual blood The Messenger of Allah said ldquoIf the dress of any of you is soiled by menstrual blood she should scrape it then she should sprinkle it with water then she should pray in itrdquo

4 Purifying the hem of a womanrsquos dress this is based upon the Hadith of Humaidah in which it is stated that she asked Umm Salamah the wife of the

Prophet a question saying ldquoI am a woman who has a long hem on her dress and I walk in places where there is dirt (so what should I do)rdquo Umm Salmah replied ldquoThe Messenger of Allah said lsquoThat which follows it purifies itrsquo

5 Purifying onersquos garment from Al-Mazi by sprinkling this is based upon the hadith of Sahl Ibn Haneef who said ldquo He replied lsquoIt is sufficient if you take a handful of water and sprinkle it on your clothes when you find it has stained themrsquo

6 Cleaning the botom of onersquos shoes by scraping Abu Sarsquoeed Al-Khudri stated that the Prophet said ldquoIf any of you goes to the mosque he should turn his shoes over and examine them and if he sees any filth he should wipe them on the ground then he should pray in themrdquo

7 Purifying a vessel when a dog has licked it Abu Hurairah said ldquoThe messenger of Allah said

8 Purifying the skin of a dead animal by tanning it is reported on the authority Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoI heard from the Messenger of Allah saying lsquoWhen a skin has been tanned it is purifiedrsquordquo

WHAT IS WUDHOOacute

Wudhooacute is the purification of specific parts of the body - namely the face the two hands the head and the two feet by the use of water It is a condition for the validity of both obligatory and voluntary prayers

A DESCRIPTION OF A COMPLETE WUDHOOacute

1048714 The Intention (Niyyah) The niyyah is an action performed by the heart and has nothing to do with the tongue The evidence that the niyyah is obligatory is the saying of the MessengerldquoAll deeds depend on their intention and each person will be rewarded according to what he intendsrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Uttering ldquoBismillaahrdquo (ie with the name of Allacirch) before beginning the wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah which states that the Prophet saidldquoThere is no wudooacute for the one who does not mention the Name of Allacirchrdquo (ad-Daarimi)Washing the body parts in wudhoorsquo as narrated by Humran Uthman called for ablution water He washed his hands three times He then rinsed his mouth snuffed up water and cleared his nose with water He then washed his face three times then

washed his right arm up to the elbow three times then the left one like that He then wiped his head He then washed his right foot up to the ankles three times then the left one like that He thereupon said I saw Allahrsquos Apostle when he had performed an ablution like this of mine (Bukhari and Muslim)

Also in a hadeeth narrated by Nalsquoeem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir he saidldquoI saw Abu Hurairah perform wudooacute He washed his face and did so perfectly Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm then the left hand the same He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin then the left foot the same He then said lsquoThis is how I saw the Messenger of Allacirch perform wudooacutersquo He said lsquoYou will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudooacute perfectly So Whoever is able let him increase the brightness of his head arms and legsrsquo rdquo (Muslim)Ibn lsquoUmar said ldquoOnce the Prophet remained behind us in a journey He caught up to us while we were performing wudooacute for the prayer which was over-due We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice lsquoWoe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hell-firersquo rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Washing the parts of wudooacute in the correct sequence Allacirch saidldquoO you who believe When you rise up for Prayer wash your faces and hands up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the anklesrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]1048714 One should make wudooacute in succession In a hadeeth the Prophet saw a man praying but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet Upon this the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudooacute and Prayerrdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

MINIMUM REQUIRED ACTS FOR A VALID WUDHOOacute

The following acts of the wudooacute are obligatory and a personrsquos wudooacute is incomplete without them1048714 One must make niyyah but without uttering it as preceded1048714 One must say ldquoBismillaahrdquo before commencing the wudooacute1048714 One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once both with the same handful of water1048714 One must wash his face once1048714 One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows1048714 One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once1048714 One must wash his feet up to the ankles once1048714 One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts and he should do so in succession

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

In Islamic Law Najis are things or persons regarded as ritually unclean There are two kinds of NajisThe essential Najis which cannot be cleansed and the unessential najis which becomes najis when in contact with another najisContact with things that are impure brings a muslim into a state of impurity (Najasat) which requires undergoing purification before performing religious duties such as regular prayersAllah said (Q590)ldquoO you who believe Intoxicants (all kinds of alcoholic drinks) and gambling and Al-Ansab (animals that are sacrificed on stone-altars) and Al-Azlam (arrows for seeking luck or decision) are abominations of Shaitanrsquos handiwork So avoid (strickly all) that (abomination) in order that you may be successful

According to the Shafi school of Sunni Islamic Jurisprudence as systematized by An-Nawawi in his book Minhadj the following things are Najis (impure)

a Wine and other spiritual drinksb Dogsc Swinesd Dead animals that were not ritually slaughterede Bloodf Excrements g Milk of animals whose meat muslims are not allowed to eat andh Any meat of an animal which is killed in a manner other than that

prescribed by Islam

1048714 Purification is one of the qualities of the true nature (fitrah) of humans

The Prophet saidldquoTen acts are from the true nature namely clipping the moustache leaving the beard to grow brushing the teeth rinsing the nose with water clipping the nails washing all the finger joints removing the hair of the armpits shaving the pubic hair and cleaning the private parts with water (after call of nature) Muslsquoab [the narrator] said ldquoI have forgotten the tenth but it may have been rinsing the mouthrdquo (Muslim)Fitrah means the true nature in which Allah created all humans and removing unwanted hair from the body is an act of fitrah Referring to this the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) is reported to have said in another narration that ldquoThe fitrah is five things circumcision trimming the moustache cutting the nails plucking the armpit hairs and shaving the pubic hairsrdquo (Reported by both Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

It is a Sunnah to remove the pubic hair and hair under the armpits for the purposes of general hygiene and cleanliness Hair in such areas is considered unwanted It is makruh to let them grow for more than forty days

Maintaining purity and cleanliness is a major means of protection from infections It is common knowledge that lsquoprevention is better than curersquo In previous times it was said ldquoA [penny] spent on prevention is better than a [million] spent on the curerdquo

FORMS OF IMPURITIES

1 Human urine this is based on the hadith of Anas Ibn Malik who said ldquoA Bedouin stood up and started urinating in the mosque The people caught him but the Prophet ordered them to leave him and to pour a bucket of water over the place where he had passed the urinerdquo bukhari

2 Human feces this is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah who reported from the Prophet that ldquoIf any of you puts his shoes in something harmful then dust will purify itrdquo Abu dawood narrated it

3 Al-Mazi This is the fluid that is secreted at the time of sexual foreplay or kissing it is secreted by both men and women It is reported on the authority of Ali that he said ldquoI used to secrete Mazi so I asked a man to ask the Messenger of Allah about it I was shy to do so because of my position with respect to his daughter He said ldquoPerform wudhoorsquo and wash your genitalrdquo

4 Al-WadiThis is a fluid secreted following urination (by some men) It is impure the evidence for which is the consensus of the scholars (Ijmarsquo) Imam An-Nawawi said ldquothe scholars of the nation are in absolute agreement that Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi are impurerdquo Al-Baihaqi narrated on the authority of Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoAl-Mani Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi As for Al-Manirsquo it requires ghusl while the other two necessitate Wudhoorsquo a person should wash his genital and then perform Wudhoorsquordquo

5 A dogrsquos salivaThis is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah in which he said the Messenger of Allah said ldquoif a dog licks a vessel belonging to anyone of you he should pour it away and then wash the vessel seven timesrdquo

6 Menstrual bloodThis is based on the Hadith of Asmarsquo bint Abu Bakr Regarding blood of menses that smears the garment the Messenger of Allah replied ldquoShe should scrape it rub it with water and sprinkle (water on) it then she may pray in itrdquo

7 The dung of animals whose flesh may not be eaten Abdullah Ibn Masrsquoood said ldquoThe Prophet went out to relieve himself and asked me to bring three stones I found two stones and searched for the third

but could not find it So I took a dried piece of dung and brought it to him He took the two stones and threw away the dung and said This is lsquoRiksrsquordquo

8 The carcasses of dead animalsThese are animals that died of natural causes without being slaughtered in accordance with Islamic Law This is based upon the Hadith of Ibn lsquoAbbas who said ldquoI heard the messenger of Allah saying Once Al-Ihab(skin or hide that has not been tanned) has been tanned it is purerdquo In this hadith there is proof that the skin from the carcass of a dead animal is impure and that it is purified by tanning

EXCEPTION FROM NAJASAH (IMPURITIES) ARE

1 A Muslim does not become impure upon death Ibn Abbas reported the Messenger of Allah to have said ldquoDo not deem your dead to be impure for the muslim is not impure regardless of whether he is alive or deadrdquoSimilarly A muslim never becomes impure This is based on the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (in which it is stated that the Prophet met him in one of the streets of Al Madinah when he was in a state of Janabah he said

2 The hair and body parts of a muslim do not become impure by being disconnected from the body

3 Dead fish and Lucusts Ibn lsquoAmr said that the Messenger of Allah said ldquoTwo dead things and two kinds of blood have been made permissible for us

4 Dead things which do not have flowing blood are pure such as the bee the ant the beetles the fly the scorpion etc

5 The bones horns hooves feathers hair milk or rennet of dead animals are pure

6 The impurity of the meat of an animal whose flesh may not be eaten if it is slaughtered Anas said ldquoWe obtain some donkey meat (ie on the day of the Battle of Khaibar) and the caller of the Messenger of Allah announced lsquoVerily Allah and his Messenger forbid you to eat donkey meat for it is unclean or impurersquordquo

CLEANLINESS IN ISLAM IS OF THREE KINDS

1- Purification from impurity (ie to attain purity or cleanliness by taking a bath ghusl or performing ablution wudhoorsquo in states in which a bath or ablution is necessary or desirable according to Islamic Law

2- Cleansing onersquos body dress or place from an impurity of filth

3- Removing the dirt or grime that collects in various parts of the body such as cleaning the teeth and nostrils the trimming of nails and the removing of armpit and pubic hair

REMOVING IMPURITY WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN WATER

There is a disagreement among scholars regarding the issue of removing impurity with something other than water Most of them are of the opinion that the use of water is obligatory to remove all sorts of impurities except what Islam permitted to be purified with other than water like shoes and the womens clothing that trails on the ground and the use of stones to purify oneself from excrement

Imaam An-Nawawi (from the Shaafiee school) said in Al-Majmoo Removing impurities can not be done except with clean water He added This is the opinion of the Shaafiee school and it is reported from the majority of Salaf (rightly guided predecessors) and the companions

Abu Haneefah however is of the opinion that impurity can be removed with any liquid that is pure Ibn Taymiyyahs opinion is close to Abu Haneefahs

The only difference is that Ibn Taymiyyah has a more detailed opinion about this matter he said There are three opinions regarding removing impurity with something other than water First As-Shaafiee forbids that Second Abu Haneefah considers it lawful This is one of two statements for both Imaam Maalik and Imaam Ahmad The third opinion in the Hanbali school is that it accepts removing impurity with something other than water when there is necessity

Ibn Taymiyyah then said The Prophets Sunnah orders us to use water in removing impurities for the saying of the Prophet to Asmaa [Fatwa Kubra (Volume 1)]

PURIFICATION OF AN-NAJASAH

1 Purifying onersquos garment from the urine of a breastfeeding child This is based upon Hadith by Abu Samh who reported Allahrsquos Apostle to have said ldquoIt is only the urine of a female (infant) which should be washed the urine of a male (infant) should be sprinkled overrdquo

2 Concerning ground that has been affected by impurity there are two aspects regarding its purity

3 Purifying onersquos garment when it is soiled by blood or menstrual blood The Messenger of Allah said ldquoIf the dress of any of you is soiled by menstrual blood she should scrape it then she should sprinkle it with water then she should pray in itrdquo

4 Purifying the hem of a womanrsquos dress this is based upon the Hadith of Humaidah in which it is stated that she asked Umm Salamah the wife of the

Prophet a question saying ldquoI am a woman who has a long hem on her dress and I walk in places where there is dirt (so what should I do)rdquo Umm Salmah replied ldquoThe Messenger of Allah said lsquoThat which follows it purifies itrsquo

5 Purifying onersquos garment from Al-Mazi by sprinkling this is based upon the hadith of Sahl Ibn Haneef who said ldquo He replied lsquoIt is sufficient if you take a handful of water and sprinkle it on your clothes when you find it has stained themrsquo

6 Cleaning the botom of onersquos shoes by scraping Abu Sarsquoeed Al-Khudri stated that the Prophet said ldquoIf any of you goes to the mosque he should turn his shoes over and examine them and if he sees any filth he should wipe them on the ground then he should pray in themrdquo

7 Purifying a vessel when a dog has licked it Abu Hurairah said ldquoThe messenger of Allah said

8 Purifying the skin of a dead animal by tanning it is reported on the authority Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoI heard from the Messenger of Allah saying lsquoWhen a skin has been tanned it is purifiedrsquordquo

WHAT IS WUDHOOacute

Wudhooacute is the purification of specific parts of the body - namely the face the two hands the head and the two feet by the use of water It is a condition for the validity of both obligatory and voluntary prayers

A DESCRIPTION OF A COMPLETE WUDHOOacute

1048714 The Intention (Niyyah) The niyyah is an action performed by the heart and has nothing to do with the tongue The evidence that the niyyah is obligatory is the saying of the MessengerldquoAll deeds depend on their intention and each person will be rewarded according to what he intendsrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Uttering ldquoBismillaahrdquo (ie with the name of Allacirch) before beginning the wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah which states that the Prophet saidldquoThere is no wudooacute for the one who does not mention the Name of Allacirchrdquo (ad-Daarimi)Washing the body parts in wudhoorsquo as narrated by Humran Uthman called for ablution water He washed his hands three times He then rinsed his mouth snuffed up water and cleared his nose with water He then washed his face three times then

washed his right arm up to the elbow three times then the left one like that He then wiped his head He then washed his right foot up to the ankles three times then the left one like that He thereupon said I saw Allahrsquos Apostle when he had performed an ablution like this of mine (Bukhari and Muslim)

Also in a hadeeth narrated by Nalsquoeem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir he saidldquoI saw Abu Hurairah perform wudooacute He washed his face and did so perfectly Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm then the left hand the same He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin then the left foot the same He then said lsquoThis is how I saw the Messenger of Allacirch perform wudooacutersquo He said lsquoYou will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudooacute perfectly So Whoever is able let him increase the brightness of his head arms and legsrsquo rdquo (Muslim)Ibn lsquoUmar said ldquoOnce the Prophet remained behind us in a journey He caught up to us while we were performing wudooacute for the prayer which was over-due We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice lsquoWoe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hell-firersquo rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Washing the parts of wudooacute in the correct sequence Allacirch saidldquoO you who believe When you rise up for Prayer wash your faces and hands up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the anklesrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]1048714 One should make wudooacute in succession In a hadeeth the Prophet saw a man praying but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet Upon this the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudooacute and Prayerrdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

MINIMUM REQUIRED ACTS FOR A VALID WUDHOOacute

The following acts of the wudooacute are obligatory and a personrsquos wudooacute is incomplete without them1048714 One must make niyyah but without uttering it as preceded1048714 One must say ldquoBismillaahrdquo before commencing the wudooacute1048714 One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once both with the same handful of water1048714 One must wash his face once1048714 One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows1048714 One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once1048714 One must wash his feet up to the ankles once1048714 One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts and he should do so in succession

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

Maintaining purity and cleanliness is a major means of protection from infections It is common knowledge that lsquoprevention is better than curersquo In previous times it was said ldquoA [penny] spent on prevention is better than a [million] spent on the curerdquo

FORMS OF IMPURITIES

1 Human urine this is based on the hadith of Anas Ibn Malik who said ldquoA Bedouin stood up and started urinating in the mosque The people caught him but the Prophet ordered them to leave him and to pour a bucket of water over the place where he had passed the urinerdquo bukhari

2 Human feces this is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah who reported from the Prophet that ldquoIf any of you puts his shoes in something harmful then dust will purify itrdquo Abu dawood narrated it

3 Al-Mazi This is the fluid that is secreted at the time of sexual foreplay or kissing it is secreted by both men and women It is reported on the authority of Ali that he said ldquoI used to secrete Mazi so I asked a man to ask the Messenger of Allah about it I was shy to do so because of my position with respect to his daughter He said ldquoPerform wudhoorsquo and wash your genitalrdquo

4 Al-WadiThis is a fluid secreted following urination (by some men) It is impure the evidence for which is the consensus of the scholars (Ijmarsquo) Imam An-Nawawi said ldquothe scholars of the nation are in absolute agreement that Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi are impurerdquo Al-Baihaqi narrated on the authority of Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoAl-Mani Al-Mazi and Al-Wadi As for Al-Manirsquo it requires ghusl while the other two necessitate Wudhoorsquo a person should wash his genital and then perform Wudhoorsquordquo

5 A dogrsquos salivaThis is based on the hadith of Abu Hurairah in which he said the Messenger of Allah said ldquoif a dog licks a vessel belonging to anyone of you he should pour it away and then wash the vessel seven timesrdquo

6 Menstrual bloodThis is based on the Hadith of Asmarsquo bint Abu Bakr Regarding blood of menses that smears the garment the Messenger of Allah replied ldquoShe should scrape it rub it with water and sprinkle (water on) it then she may pray in itrdquo

7 The dung of animals whose flesh may not be eaten Abdullah Ibn Masrsquoood said ldquoThe Prophet went out to relieve himself and asked me to bring three stones I found two stones and searched for the third

but could not find it So I took a dried piece of dung and brought it to him He took the two stones and threw away the dung and said This is lsquoRiksrsquordquo

8 The carcasses of dead animalsThese are animals that died of natural causes without being slaughtered in accordance with Islamic Law This is based upon the Hadith of Ibn lsquoAbbas who said ldquoI heard the messenger of Allah saying Once Al-Ihab(skin or hide that has not been tanned) has been tanned it is purerdquo In this hadith there is proof that the skin from the carcass of a dead animal is impure and that it is purified by tanning

EXCEPTION FROM NAJASAH (IMPURITIES) ARE

1 A Muslim does not become impure upon death Ibn Abbas reported the Messenger of Allah to have said ldquoDo not deem your dead to be impure for the muslim is not impure regardless of whether he is alive or deadrdquoSimilarly A muslim never becomes impure This is based on the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (in which it is stated that the Prophet met him in one of the streets of Al Madinah when he was in a state of Janabah he said

2 The hair and body parts of a muslim do not become impure by being disconnected from the body

3 Dead fish and Lucusts Ibn lsquoAmr said that the Messenger of Allah said ldquoTwo dead things and two kinds of blood have been made permissible for us

4 Dead things which do not have flowing blood are pure such as the bee the ant the beetles the fly the scorpion etc

5 The bones horns hooves feathers hair milk or rennet of dead animals are pure

6 The impurity of the meat of an animal whose flesh may not be eaten if it is slaughtered Anas said ldquoWe obtain some donkey meat (ie on the day of the Battle of Khaibar) and the caller of the Messenger of Allah announced lsquoVerily Allah and his Messenger forbid you to eat donkey meat for it is unclean or impurersquordquo

CLEANLINESS IN ISLAM IS OF THREE KINDS

1- Purification from impurity (ie to attain purity or cleanliness by taking a bath ghusl or performing ablution wudhoorsquo in states in which a bath or ablution is necessary or desirable according to Islamic Law

2- Cleansing onersquos body dress or place from an impurity of filth

3- Removing the dirt or grime that collects in various parts of the body such as cleaning the teeth and nostrils the trimming of nails and the removing of armpit and pubic hair

REMOVING IMPURITY WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN WATER

There is a disagreement among scholars regarding the issue of removing impurity with something other than water Most of them are of the opinion that the use of water is obligatory to remove all sorts of impurities except what Islam permitted to be purified with other than water like shoes and the womens clothing that trails on the ground and the use of stones to purify oneself from excrement

Imaam An-Nawawi (from the Shaafiee school) said in Al-Majmoo Removing impurities can not be done except with clean water He added This is the opinion of the Shaafiee school and it is reported from the majority of Salaf (rightly guided predecessors) and the companions

Abu Haneefah however is of the opinion that impurity can be removed with any liquid that is pure Ibn Taymiyyahs opinion is close to Abu Haneefahs

The only difference is that Ibn Taymiyyah has a more detailed opinion about this matter he said There are three opinions regarding removing impurity with something other than water First As-Shaafiee forbids that Second Abu Haneefah considers it lawful This is one of two statements for both Imaam Maalik and Imaam Ahmad The third opinion in the Hanbali school is that it accepts removing impurity with something other than water when there is necessity

Ibn Taymiyyah then said The Prophets Sunnah orders us to use water in removing impurities for the saying of the Prophet to Asmaa [Fatwa Kubra (Volume 1)]

PURIFICATION OF AN-NAJASAH

1 Purifying onersquos garment from the urine of a breastfeeding child This is based upon Hadith by Abu Samh who reported Allahrsquos Apostle to have said ldquoIt is only the urine of a female (infant) which should be washed the urine of a male (infant) should be sprinkled overrdquo

2 Concerning ground that has been affected by impurity there are two aspects regarding its purity

3 Purifying onersquos garment when it is soiled by blood or menstrual blood The Messenger of Allah said ldquoIf the dress of any of you is soiled by menstrual blood she should scrape it then she should sprinkle it with water then she should pray in itrdquo

4 Purifying the hem of a womanrsquos dress this is based upon the Hadith of Humaidah in which it is stated that she asked Umm Salamah the wife of the

Prophet a question saying ldquoI am a woman who has a long hem on her dress and I walk in places where there is dirt (so what should I do)rdquo Umm Salmah replied ldquoThe Messenger of Allah said lsquoThat which follows it purifies itrsquo

5 Purifying onersquos garment from Al-Mazi by sprinkling this is based upon the hadith of Sahl Ibn Haneef who said ldquo He replied lsquoIt is sufficient if you take a handful of water and sprinkle it on your clothes when you find it has stained themrsquo

6 Cleaning the botom of onersquos shoes by scraping Abu Sarsquoeed Al-Khudri stated that the Prophet said ldquoIf any of you goes to the mosque he should turn his shoes over and examine them and if he sees any filth he should wipe them on the ground then he should pray in themrdquo

7 Purifying a vessel when a dog has licked it Abu Hurairah said ldquoThe messenger of Allah said

8 Purifying the skin of a dead animal by tanning it is reported on the authority Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoI heard from the Messenger of Allah saying lsquoWhen a skin has been tanned it is purifiedrsquordquo

WHAT IS WUDHOOacute

Wudhooacute is the purification of specific parts of the body - namely the face the two hands the head and the two feet by the use of water It is a condition for the validity of both obligatory and voluntary prayers

A DESCRIPTION OF A COMPLETE WUDHOOacute

1048714 The Intention (Niyyah) The niyyah is an action performed by the heart and has nothing to do with the tongue The evidence that the niyyah is obligatory is the saying of the MessengerldquoAll deeds depend on their intention and each person will be rewarded according to what he intendsrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Uttering ldquoBismillaahrdquo (ie with the name of Allacirch) before beginning the wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah which states that the Prophet saidldquoThere is no wudooacute for the one who does not mention the Name of Allacirchrdquo (ad-Daarimi)Washing the body parts in wudhoorsquo as narrated by Humran Uthman called for ablution water He washed his hands three times He then rinsed his mouth snuffed up water and cleared his nose with water He then washed his face three times then

washed his right arm up to the elbow three times then the left one like that He then wiped his head He then washed his right foot up to the ankles three times then the left one like that He thereupon said I saw Allahrsquos Apostle when he had performed an ablution like this of mine (Bukhari and Muslim)

Also in a hadeeth narrated by Nalsquoeem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir he saidldquoI saw Abu Hurairah perform wudooacute He washed his face and did so perfectly Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm then the left hand the same He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin then the left foot the same He then said lsquoThis is how I saw the Messenger of Allacirch perform wudooacutersquo He said lsquoYou will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudooacute perfectly So Whoever is able let him increase the brightness of his head arms and legsrsquo rdquo (Muslim)Ibn lsquoUmar said ldquoOnce the Prophet remained behind us in a journey He caught up to us while we were performing wudooacute for the prayer which was over-due We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice lsquoWoe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hell-firersquo rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Washing the parts of wudooacute in the correct sequence Allacirch saidldquoO you who believe When you rise up for Prayer wash your faces and hands up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the anklesrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]1048714 One should make wudooacute in succession In a hadeeth the Prophet saw a man praying but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet Upon this the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudooacute and Prayerrdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

MINIMUM REQUIRED ACTS FOR A VALID WUDHOOacute

The following acts of the wudooacute are obligatory and a personrsquos wudooacute is incomplete without them1048714 One must make niyyah but without uttering it as preceded1048714 One must say ldquoBismillaahrdquo before commencing the wudooacute1048714 One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once both with the same handful of water1048714 One must wash his face once1048714 One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows1048714 One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once1048714 One must wash his feet up to the ankles once1048714 One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts and he should do so in succession

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

but could not find it So I took a dried piece of dung and brought it to him He took the two stones and threw away the dung and said This is lsquoRiksrsquordquo

8 The carcasses of dead animalsThese are animals that died of natural causes without being slaughtered in accordance with Islamic Law This is based upon the Hadith of Ibn lsquoAbbas who said ldquoI heard the messenger of Allah saying Once Al-Ihab(skin or hide that has not been tanned) has been tanned it is purerdquo In this hadith there is proof that the skin from the carcass of a dead animal is impure and that it is purified by tanning

EXCEPTION FROM NAJASAH (IMPURITIES) ARE

1 A Muslim does not become impure upon death Ibn Abbas reported the Messenger of Allah to have said ldquoDo not deem your dead to be impure for the muslim is not impure regardless of whether he is alive or deadrdquoSimilarly A muslim never becomes impure This is based on the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah (in which it is stated that the Prophet met him in one of the streets of Al Madinah when he was in a state of Janabah he said

2 The hair and body parts of a muslim do not become impure by being disconnected from the body

3 Dead fish and Lucusts Ibn lsquoAmr said that the Messenger of Allah said ldquoTwo dead things and two kinds of blood have been made permissible for us

4 Dead things which do not have flowing blood are pure such as the bee the ant the beetles the fly the scorpion etc

5 The bones horns hooves feathers hair milk or rennet of dead animals are pure

6 The impurity of the meat of an animal whose flesh may not be eaten if it is slaughtered Anas said ldquoWe obtain some donkey meat (ie on the day of the Battle of Khaibar) and the caller of the Messenger of Allah announced lsquoVerily Allah and his Messenger forbid you to eat donkey meat for it is unclean or impurersquordquo

CLEANLINESS IN ISLAM IS OF THREE KINDS

1- Purification from impurity (ie to attain purity or cleanliness by taking a bath ghusl or performing ablution wudhoorsquo in states in which a bath or ablution is necessary or desirable according to Islamic Law

2- Cleansing onersquos body dress or place from an impurity of filth

3- Removing the dirt or grime that collects in various parts of the body such as cleaning the teeth and nostrils the trimming of nails and the removing of armpit and pubic hair

REMOVING IMPURITY WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN WATER

There is a disagreement among scholars regarding the issue of removing impurity with something other than water Most of them are of the opinion that the use of water is obligatory to remove all sorts of impurities except what Islam permitted to be purified with other than water like shoes and the womens clothing that trails on the ground and the use of stones to purify oneself from excrement

Imaam An-Nawawi (from the Shaafiee school) said in Al-Majmoo Removing impurities can not be done except with clean water He added This is the opinion of the Shaafiee school and it is reported from the majority of Salaf (rightly guided predecessors) and the companions

Abu Haneefah however is of the opinion that impurity can be removed with any liquid that is pure Ibn Taymiyyahs opinion is close to Abu Haneefahs

The only difference is that Ibn Taymiyyah has a more detailed opinion about this matter he said There are three opinions regarding removing impurity with something other than water First As-Shaafiee forbids that Second Abu Haneefah considers it lawful This is one of two statements for both Imaam Maalik and Imaam Ahmad The third opinion in the Hanbali school is that it accepts removing impurity with something other than water when there is necessity

Ibn Taymiyyah then said The Prophets Sunnah orders us to use water in removing impurities for the saying of the Prophet to Asmaa [Fatwa Kubra (Volume 1)]

PURIFICATION OF AN-NAJASAH

1 Purifying onersquos garment from the urine of a breastfeeding child This is based upon Hadith by Abu Samh who reported Allahrsquos Apostle to have said ldquoIt is only the urine of a female (infant) which should be washed the urine of a male (infant) should be sprinkled overrdquo

2 Concerning ground that has been affected by impurity there are two aspects regarding its purity

3 Purifying onersquos garment when it is soiled by blood or menstrual blood The Messenger of Allah said ldquoIf the dress of any of you is soiled by menstrual blood she should scrape it then she should sprinkle it with water then she should pray in itrdquo

4 Purifying the hem of a womanrsquos dress this is based upon the Hadith of Humaidah in which it is stated that she asked Umm Salamah the wife of the

Prophet a question saying ldquoI am a woman who has a long hem on her dress and I walk in places where there is dirt (so what should I do)rdquo Umm Salmah replied ldquoThe Messenger of Allah said lsquoThat which follows it purifies itrsquo

5 Purifying onersquos garment from Al-Mazi by sprinkling this is based upon the hadith of Sahl Ibn Haneef who said ldquo He replied lsquoIt is sufficient if you take a handful of water and sprinkle it on your clothes when you find it has stained themrsquo

6 Cleaning the botom of onersquos shoes by scraping Abu Sarsquoeed Al-Khudri stated that the Prophet said ldquoIf any of you goes to the mosque he should turn his shoes over and examine them and if he sees any filth he should wipe them on the ground then he should pray in themrdquo

7 Purifying a vessel when a dog has licked it Abu Hurairah said ldquoThe messenger of Allah said

8 Purifying the skin of a dead animal by tanning it is reported on the authority Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoI heard from the Messenger of Allah saying lsquoWhen a skin has been tanned it is purifiedrsquordquo

WHAT IS WUDHOOacute

Wudhooacute is the purification of specific parts of the body - namely the face the two hands the head and the two feet by the use of water It is a condition for the validity of both obligatory and voluntary prayers

A DESCRIPTION OF A COMPLETE WUDHOOacute

1048714 The Intention (Niyyah) The niyyah is an action performed by the heart and has nothing to do with the tongue The evidence that the niyyah is obligatory is the saying of the MessengerldquoAll deeds depend on their intention and each person will be rewarded according to what he intendsrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Uttering ldquoBismillaahrdquo (ie with the name of Allacirch) before beginning the wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah which states that the Prophet saidldquoThere is no wudooacute for the one who does not mention the Name of Allacirchrdquo (ad-Daarimi)Washing the body parts in wudhoorsquo as narrated by Humran Uthman called for ablution water He washed his hands three times He then rinsed his mouth snuffed up water and cleared his nose with water He then washed his face three times then

washed his right arm up to the elbow three times then the left one like that He then wiped his head He then washed his right foot up to the ankles three times then the left one like that He thereupon said I saw Allahrsquos Apostle when he had performed an ablution like this of mine (Bukhari and Muslim)

Also in a hadeeth narrated by Nalsquoeem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir he saidldquoI saw Abu Hurairah perform wudooacute He washed his face and did so perfectly Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm then the left hand the same He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin then the left foot the same He then said lsquoThis is how I saw the Messenger of Allacirch perform wudooacutersquo He said lsquoYou will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudooacute perfectly So Whoever is able let him increase the brightness of his head arms and legsrsquo rdquo (Muslim)Ibn lsquoUmar said ldquoOnce the Prophet remained behind us in a journey He caught up to us while we were performing wudooacute for the prayer which was over-due We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice lsquoWoe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hell-firersquo rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Washing the parts of wudooacute in the correct sequence Allacirch saidldquoO you who believe When you rise up for Prayer wash your faces and hands up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the anklesrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]1048714 One should make wudooacute in succession In a hadeeth the Prophet saw a man praying but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet Upon this the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudooacute and Prayerrdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

MINIMUM REQUIRED ACTS FOR A VALID WUDHOOacute

The following acts of the wudooacute are obligatory and a personrsquos wudooacute is incomplete without them1048714 One must make niyyah but without uttering it as preceded1048714 One must say ldquoBismillaahrdquo before commencing the wudooacute1048714 One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once both with the same handful of water1048714 One must wash his face once1048714 One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows1048714 One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once1048714 One must wash his feet up to the ankles once1048714 One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts and he should do so in succession

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

3- Removing the dirt or grime that collects in various parts of the body such as cleaning the teeth and nostrils the trimming of nails and the removing of armpit and pubic hair

REMOVING IMPURITY WITH SOMETHING OTHER THAN WATER

There is a disagreement among scholars regarding the issue of removing impurity with something other than water Most of them are of the opinion that the use of water is obligatory to remove all sorts of impurities except what Islam permitted to be purified with other than water like shoes and the womens clothing that trails on the ground and the use of stones to purify oneself from excrement

Imaam An-Nawawi (from the Shaafiee school) said in Al-Majmoo Removing impurities can not be done except with clean water He added This is the opinion of the Shaafiee school and it is reported from the majority of Salaf (rightly guided predecessors) and the companions

Abu Haneefah however is of the opinion that impurity can be removed with any liquid that is pure Ibn Taymiyyahs opinion is close to Abu Haneefahs

The only difference is that Ibn Taymiyyah has a more detailed opinion about this matter he said There are three opinions regarding removing impurity with something other than water First As-Shaafiee forbids that Second Abu Haneefah considers it lawful This is one of two statements for both Imaam Maalik and Imaam Ahmad The third opinion in the Hanbali school is that it accepts removing impurity with something other than water when there is necessity

Ibn Taymiyyah then said The Prophets Sunnah orders us to use water in removing impurities for the saying of the Prophet to Asmaa [Fatwa Kubra (Volume 1)]

PURIFICATION OF AN-NAJASAH

1 Purifying onersquos garment from the urine of a breastfeeding child This is based upon Hadith by Abu Samh who reported Allahrsquos Apostle to have said ldquoIt is only the urine of a female (infant) which should be washed the urine of a male (infant) should be sprinkled overrdquo

2 Concerning ground that has been affected by impurity there are two aspects regarding its purity

3 Purifying onersquos garment when it is soiled by blood or menstrual blood The Messenger of Allah said ldquoIf the dress of any of you is soiled by menstrual blood she should scrape it then she should sprinkle it with water then she should pray in itrdquo

4 Purifying the hem of a womanrsquos dress this is based upon the Hadith of Humaidah in which it is stated that she asked Umm Salamah the wife of the

Prophet a question saying ldquoI am a woman who has a long hem on her dress and I walk in places where there is dirt (so what should I do)rdquo Umm Salmah replied ldquoThe Messenger of Allah said lsquoThat which follows it purifies itrsquo

5 Purifying onersquos garment from Al-Mazi by sprinkling this is based upon the hadith of Sahl Ibn Haneef who said ldquo He replied lsquoIt is sufficient if you take a handful of water and sprinkle it on your clothes when you find it has stained themrsquo

6 Cleaning the botom of onersquos shoes by scraping Abu Sarsquoeed Al-Khudri stated that the Prophet said ldquoIf any of you goes to the mosque he should turn his shoes over and examine them and if he sees any filth he should wipe them on the ground then he should pray in themrdquo

7 Purifying a vessel when a dog has licked it Abu Hurairah said ldquoThe messenger of Allah said

8 Purifying the skin of a dead animal by tanning it is reported on the authority Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoI heard from the Messenger of Allah saying lsquoWhen a skin has been tanned it is purifiedrsquordquo

WHAT IS WUDHOOacute

Wudhooacute is the purification of specific parts of the body - namely the face the two hands the head and the two feet by the use of water It is a condition for the validity of both obligatory and voluntary prayers

A DESCRIPTION OF A COMPLETE WUDHOOacute

1048714 The Intention (Niyyah) The niyyah is an action performed by the heart and has nothing to do with the tongue The evidence that the niyyah is obligatory is the saying of the MessengerldquoAll deeds depend on their intention and each person will be rewarded according to what he intendsrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Uttering ldquoBismillaahrdquo (ie with the name of Allacirch) before beginning the wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah which states that the Prophet saidldquoThere is no wudooacute for the one who does not mention the Name of Allacirchrdquo (ad-Daarimi)Washing the body parts in wudhoorsquo as narrated by Humran Uthman called for ablution water He washed his hands three times He then rinsed his mouth snuffed up water and cleared his nose with water He then washed his face three times then

washed his right arm up to the elbow three times then the left one like that He then wiped his head He then washed his right foot up to the ankles three times then the left one like that He thereupon said I saw Allahrsquos Apostle when he had performed an ablution like this of mine (Bukhari and Muslim)

Also in a hadeeth narrated by Nalsquoeem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir he saidldquoI saw Abu Hurairah perform wudooacute He washed his face and did so perfectly Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm then the left hand the same He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin then the left foot the same He then said lsquoThis is how I saw the Messenger of Allacirch perform wudooacutersquo He said lsquoYou will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudooacute perfectly So Whoever is able let him increase the brightness of his head arms and legsrsquo rdquo (Muslim)Ibn lsquoUmar said ldquoOnce the Prophet remained behind us in a journey He caught up to us while we were performing wudooacute for the prayer which was over-due We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice lsquoWoe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hell-firersquo rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Washing the parts of wudooacute in the correct sequence Allacirch saidldquoO you who believe When you rise up for Prayer wash your faces and hands up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the anklesrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]1048714 One should make wudooacute in succession In a hadeeth the Prophet saw a man praying but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet Upon this the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudooacute and Prayerrdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

MINIMUM REQUIRED ACTS FOR A VALID WUDHOOacute

The following acts of the wudooacute are obligatory and a personrsquos wudooacute is incomplete without them1048714 One must make niyyah but without uttering it as preceded1048714 One must say ldquoBismillaahrdquo before commencing the wudooacute1048714 One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once both with the same handful of water1048714 One must wash his face once1048714 One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows1048714 One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once1048714 One must wash his feet up to the ankles once1048714 One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts and he should do so in succession

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

Prophet a question saying ldquoI am a woman who has a long hem on her dress and I walk in places where there is dirt (so what should I do)rdquo Umm Salmah replied ldquoThe Messenger of Allah said lsquoThat which follows it purifies itrsquo

5 Purifying onersquos garment from Al-Mazi by sprinkling this is based upon the hadith of Sahl Ibn Haneef who said ldquo He replied lsquoIt is sufficient if you take a handful of water and sprinkle it on your clothes when you find it has stained themrsquo

6 Cleaning the botom of onersquos shoes by scraping Abu Sarsquoeed Al-Khudri stated that the Prophet said ldquoIf any of you goes to the mosque he should turn his shoes over and examine them and if he sees any filth he should wipe them on the ground then he should pray in themrdquo

7 Purifying a vessel when a dog has licked it Abu Hurairah said ldquoThe messenger of Allah said

8 Purifying the skin of a dead animal by tanning it is reported on the authority Ibn lsquoAbbas that he said ldquoI heard from the Messenger of Allah saying lsquoWhen a skin has been tanned it is purifiedrsquordquo

WHAT IS WUDHOOacute

Wudhooacute is the purification of specific parts of the body - namely the face the two hands the head and the two feet by the use of water It is a condition for the validity of both obligatory and voluntary prayers

A DESCRIPTION OF A COMPLETE WUDHOOacute

1048714 The Intention (Niyyah) The niyyah is an action performed by the heart and has nothing to do with the tongue The evidence that the niyyah is obligatory is the saying of the MessengerldquoAll deeds depend on their intention and each person will be rewarded according to what he intendsrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Uttering ldquoBismillaahrdquo (ie with the name of Allacirch) before beginning the wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah which states that the Prophet saidldquoThere is no wudooacute for the one who does not mention the Name of Allacirchrdquo (ad-Daarimi)Washing the body parts in wudhoorsquo as narrated by Humran Uthman called for ablution water He washed his hands three times He then rinsed his mouth snuffed up water and cleared his nose with water He then washed his face three times then

washed his right arm up to the elbow three times then the left one like that He then wiped his head He then washed his right foot up to the ankles three times then the left one like that He thereupon said I saw Allahrsquos Apostle when he had performed an ablution like this of mine (Bukhari and Muslim)

Also in a hadeeth narrated by Nalsquoeem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir he saidldquoI saw Abu Hurairah perform wudooacute He washed his face and did so perfectly Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm then the left hand the same He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin then the left foot the same He then said lsquoThis is how I saw the Messenger of Allacirch perform wudooacutersquo He said lsquoYou will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudooacute perfectly So Whoever is able let him increase the brightness of his head arms and legsrsquo rdquo (Muslim)Ibn lsquoUmar said ldquoOnce the Prophet remained behind us in a journey He caught up to us while we were performing wudooacute for the prayer which was over-due We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice lsquoWoe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hell-firersquo rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Washing the parts of wudooacute in the correct sequence Allacirch saidldquoO you who believe When you rise up for Prayer wash your faces and hands up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the anklesrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]1048714 One should make wudooacute in succession In a hadeeth the Prophet saw a man praying but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet Upon this the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudooacute and Prayerrdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

MINIMUM REQUIRED ACTS FOR A VALID WUDHOOacute

The following acts of the wudooacute are obligatory and a personrsquos wudooacute is incomplete without them1048714 One must make niyyah but without uttering it as preceded1048714 One must say ldquoBismillaahrdquo before commencing the wudooacute1048714 One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once both with the same handful of water1048714 One must wash his face once1048714 One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows1048714 One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once1048714 One must wash his feet up to the ankles once1048714 One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts and he should do so in succession

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

washed his right arm up to the elbow three times then the left one like that He then wiped his head He then washed his right foot up to the ankles three times then the left one like that He thereupon said I saw Allahrsquos Apostle when he had performed an ablution like this of mine (Bukhari and Muslim)

Also in a hadeeth narrated by Nalsquoeem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir he saidldquoI saw Abu Hurairah perform wudooacute He washed his face and did so perfectly Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm then the left hand the same He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin then the left foot the same He then said lsquoThis is how I saw the Messenger of Allacirch perform wudooacutersquo He said lsquoYou will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudooacute perfectly So Whoever is able let him increase the brightness of his head arms and legsrsquo rdquo (Muslim)Ibn lsquoUmar said ldquoOnce the Prophet remained behind us in a journey He caught up to us while we were performing wudooacute for the prayer which was over-due We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly) so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice lsquoWoe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hell-firersquo rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Washing the parts of wudooacute in the correct sequence Allacirch saidldquoO you who believe When you rise up for Prayer wash your faces and hands up to the elbows and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the anklesrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]1048714 One should make wudooacute in succession In a hadeeth the Prophet saw a man praying but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet Upon this the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudooacute and Prayerrdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

MINIMUM REQUIRED ACTS FOR A VALID WUDHOOacute

The following acts of the wudooacute are obligatory and a personrsquos wudooacute is incomplete without them1048714 One must make niyyah but without uttering it as preceded1048714 One must say ldquoBismillaahrdquo before commencing the wudooacute1048714 One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once both with the same handful of water1048714 One must wash his face once1048714 One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows1048714 One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once1048714 One must wash his feet up to the ankles once1048714 One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts and he should do so in succession

VOLUNTARY ACTS OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

1048714 One should begin washing each part with the right due to the saying of the Prophet

1048714 One should wash all the parts three times except for the head which should only be wiped once This is known from a hadeeth which statesldquoA bedouin came to Allacirchrsquos Messenger and asked him about wudooacute so the Prophet performed wudooacute for him He washed his body parts three times each and said lsquoIf anyone exceeds this he has done wrong and oppressedrsquo or lsquotrangressed and oppressedrsquo rdquo (Ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should clean his teeth using a siwaak The Prophet said

1048714 One should run his fingers through his beard Anas narratedldquoWhen performing wudooacute the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard] underneath his lower jaw and then run his fingers through it He then said lsquoThus has my Lord commanded mersquo rdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 One should rub water on the body parts when washing Abdullah ibn Zaid narratedldquoThe Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd of water and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them]rdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 One should perform a perfect wudooacute by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]

1048714 One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes Ibn lsquoAbbacircs reported the Prophet as sayingldquoWhen you perform wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toesrdquo (Mustadrak al-Hacirckim)This includes moving onersquos ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it for usually it does not It has been reported of the ProphetldquoWhen he performed wudooacute he would move his ringrdquo (Ibn Macircjah)

1048714 One should exaggerate in rinsing the nose except those who are fasting Laqeet ibn Sabirahrsquos father saidldquoO Messenger of Allacirch tell me about wudooacute So he answered Perform a perfect wudooacute run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes andexaggerate in rinsing your nose unless you are fastingrdquo (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

1048714 One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible Our example in this regard is our Prophet Abu Bakr the companion of the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch would bathe himself with a Saarsquo and perform wudooacute with a muddrdquo (Muslim)

1048714 One should supplicate to Allacirch after it lsquoUmar narrated that Allacirchrsquos Messenger saidldquoIf one of you performs Wudooacute in a perfect manner and then says

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

hellipthe eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter from whichever one he wishesrdquo (at-Tirmidhi)1048714 One should perform a two raklsquoah prayer after wudooacute which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudooacute due to the hadeeth narrated by lsquoUqbah ibn lsquoAcircmir that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoNo Muslim performs a perfect wudooacute then stands and prays two raklsquoah with dedication of mind and heart except that Paradise will be turned to face himrdquo (Muslim)

THINGS THAT INVALIDATE WUDHOOacute

1048714 Anything which passes out of the two passages such as urine feces [pus or blood]ldquoBut if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water then seek clean earthrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)6]

1048714 Passing gas (flatulence) due to the saying of the ProphetldquoThe Prayer of any of those who do lsquohadathrsquo will not be accepted until he performs ablutionrdquo A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah ldquoWhat is lsquohadathrsquo Abu Hurairahrdquo He said ldquoPassing windrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Pre-seminal (mazi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid Pre-seminal fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ upon physical or mental sexual stimulation Prostatic fluid is that which is secreted from the male organ due to sickness Ali said (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 False menstruation Facirctimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation so the Messenger of Allah saidldquoIndeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well-known If it is so then refrain from Prayer but if it is something else perform wudooacute and prayrdquo [Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn]

1048714 Deep sleep in which one loses all perception Ali reported Allacirchrsquos Messenger as sayingldquoThe eye when awake prevents breaking wind Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)However light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudooacute Anas saidldquoThe Companions of the Messenger of Allacirch would wait for the lsquoIshaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep] and then they would pray without repeating wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dacircwud)

1048714 Eating camel meat Jacircbir ibn Samurah narrated that a man asked the ProphetldquoShould I perform Wudooacute after eating muttonrdquo He replied ldquoIf you wish perform ablution otherwise do notrdquo The man asked [again] ldquoShould I perform ablution after eating camel meatrdquo He said ldquoYes perform ablution after eating camel

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

meatrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the pens of sheeprdquo He answered ldquoYesrdquo He asked ldquoMay I pray in the place where camels restrdquo He answered ldquoNordquo (Muslim)

1048714 Losing onersquos senses or consciousness resulting from insanity epilepsy possession by the Jinn fainting medicine or alcohol is expected to perform wudoorsquo for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion lsquoAcirc`ishah reported that the Messenger of Allacirch saidldquoThe pen has been lifted from three a sleeping person until he awakens a child until he reaches puberty and an insane person until he returns to his sensesrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbacircn)

1048714 Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim If one returns to Islaam after having said done or believed something which took him out of its fold he must perform wudooacute again due to the saying of AllaahldquoAnd whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [ie His (Allaahrsquos) Angels His Holy Books His Messengers the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)] then fruitless is his workrdquo[Surah al-Macirc`idah (5)5]

1048714 Touching the sexual organs There are many narrations obligating wudooacute after touching the private parts and from them is that the Prophet saidldquoIf a man touches his male organ let him perform wudooacute and if a woman touches her vulva let her (also) perform wudooacuterdquo (Ahmad)He also saidldquoWhoever touches his private part let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudooacuterdquo (Abu Dawood)And alsoldquoWhoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present wudooacute has become obligatory on himrdquo (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)

THINGS IN WHICH THE SCHOLARS HAVE DIFFERED IN REGARDS TO ITS INVALIDATION OF WUDHOOacute

1048714 What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and anus such as blood vomit and nosebleed1048714 Touching a woman with desire1048714 Vomiting

IN CASES OF DOUBT

If a person who had performed wudooacute is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudooacute his wudooacute is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah the Prophet saidldquoIf a person feels something in his stomach and he does not know whether he passed gas or not he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odorrdquo (Muslim)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudooacute but then has doubt in its validity As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudooacute but doubts whether he has purified himself after that he must perform wudooacute again

WHEN WUDHOOacute IS RECOMMENDED

1048714 Before going to sleep Al-Baracircacute ibn lsquoAcirczib narrated that the Prophet saidldquoWhenever you go to bed perform wudooacute as you would for the Prayer then lie on your right side and saylsquoAllacirchumma aslamtu nafsi ilayka wafawwadtu amri ilayk wawajahtu wajhiya ilayk wa aljaacutetu dhahri ilayk raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk la maljaacutea wala manjaa minka illaa ilayk Allacirchumma aamantu bi kitabika-lladhi anzalt wa bi nabiyyik-alladhi arsaltrsquo

lsquoO Allacirch I surrender my soul to You and entrust all my affairs to You and I turn my face towards You and I totally depend upon You for blessings both with hope and fear of You There is no fleeing from You and there is no place of protection and safety except with You O Allacirch I believe in Your Book (the Qur`acircn) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad) whom you have sentrsquoIf you die on that very night you will die on the religion of the true and pure nature (ie Islacircm) Let these words be the last thing you say [before you sleep] rdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janacircbah) and wishes to eat drink or sleep lsquoAmmacircr ibn Yacircsir saidldquoThe Messenger of Allacirch gave the person in a state of janacircbah the concession to perform wudooacute like the one he would do for Prayer if he wished to eat drink or sleeprdquo (at-Tirmidhi)Also it is recommended to perform wudooacute if one is in a state of janacircbah and wishes to have intercourse again due to the saying of the ProphetldquoIf one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again let him perform wudooacute [before doing so]rdquo (Muslim)

1048714 Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janacircbah menstruation or postpartum bleeding

1048714 Renewing onersquos wudooacute before each Prayer The Prophet saidldquoHad it not been difficult upon people I would have ordered them to perform wudooacute for each Prayer and to use siwaak with each wudooacuterdquo (al-Baihaqi)

COMMON MISTAKES IN PERFORMING WUDHOOacute

1048714 Uttering the intention before performing wudooacute with an audible voicerdquo1048714 Wiping the neck after wiping the head Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy be upon him saidThere is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudooacute no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)

1048714 Making wudooacute when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah statedThe matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudooacute for Prayer As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer it is not recommended for him to renew his wudooacute Rather this type of wudooacute is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day

1048714 Washing the body parts in wudooacute more than thrice This opposes the Prophetrsquos instruction when he saidldquoWhoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejectedrdquo (al-Bukhacircri)

1048714 Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification they must not only remove the filth but that they also must repeat their wudooacute This is incorrect What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes His wudooacute is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it

1048714 Some people in wudooacute do not wash the whole surface of their face especially the area near the ears One must be sure to wash the whole face paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears

1048714 Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails Whoever performs wudooacute while wearing nail polish their wudooacute as well as their Prayer is invalid Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudooacute The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudooacute unless there is a legislative reason for wearing it (ie bandage cast etc)

1048714 Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudooacute and this is incorrect This is only required after one has answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation) As for sleeping or passing wind one may perform wudooacute without the need of washing the private parts

1048714 Some people believe that touching the private part of an animal invalidates wudooacute Sheikh-ul-Islacircm ibn Taimiyyah may Allacirch have mercy upon him saidTouching the private part of an animal living or dead does not invalidate wudhooacute and this is something agreed upon by the Imacircms (Al-Fatacircwacirc al-Kubracirc The Book of Purification p280)