WUDHU (ABLUTION)


Wudhu (ablution) is the act of washing those parts of the body which are generally exposed. It is compulsory to perform wudhu before every Salaah (prayer) before entering a mosque (masjid), and before touching or reciting the holy Quran.

It is a good practice to clean the teeth with a tooth-stick, or a toothbrush before performing Wudu. In this way you can avoid many diseases which are caused by unclean teeth.

As mentioned in the Hadith: Aisha reported Allah's Messenger (pbuh) as saying: "The use of a tooth-stick is a means of purifying the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord as well."
(Ahmad. Darmi and Nasai).

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) also said: If I wouldn't have felt that it is difficult for my people I would have ordered them to use a tooth-stick with every Salat (prayer), that is, before doing each Wudu. So, Muslims should always try to fulfill this wish of our Prophet (pbuh).

Make sure that the water with which you are going to perform Wudu is pure, clean and fresh (not used before) and its colour, taste and smell are original and unchanged.
Have a full intention (Niyyat) of performing the Wudu.
Recite, "Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim", which means, "In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful."
Wash first the hands, beginning with the right hand, starting from the wrist to the tips of the fingers: three times.
Next cleanse your mouth with brush or finger, and gargle with water: three times.
Rinse the nostrils: three times.
Recite, "Nawaitu raf'al Hadathil aswghari lillahi ta'ala", which means, "I intend to remove the minor impurities in obedience to Allah."
Wash, then, the face from the forehead to the chin bone and from ear to ear: three times.
Wash the right fore-arm including the elbow, followed by the left fore-arm upto the elbow: three times each.
Brush up the whole head with wet hands, pass the wet tips of the index fingers inside and wet tips of the thumb outside the ears, and pass over the other surface of the hands over the nape and the sides of the neck: three times.
Wash the feet upto the ankles, the right foot first and then the left, taking care to wash in between the toes: three times each.

After completing this recite the following Dua..

Ash hadu an la ilaha illal lahu wah dahu la shareeka lahu wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan abduhu wa rasuluhu.

I testify that there is no deity except Allah alone. And I testify that Mohammed (pbuh) is His servant and Messenger.
(Muslim)

Allahum maj alnee minat taw-wabeena waj alnee minal muta tahireen.

O Allah make me among those who are penitent and make me among those who are purified.
(Tirmidhi)

When you have completed these acts you are clean and, therefore, can proceed to recite prayer (Salat). This state of cleanliness may continue for several hours. But this ritual washing (Wudu) ceases to be valid if any of the following acts occur:- 

The emission of body waste (solid, liquid or gaseous).
Losing consciousness as a result of illness, fainting or intoxication.
Sleeping in any posture except if seated with the body upright.

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