Lesson No 17
ABLUTION (WUDU)
Q. What is ablution?
Ans. We perform ablution to secure cleanliness from the Minor Invisible Uncleanness (Najasah Hukmiy-yah). For Ablution before Salat we take clean water in a clean vessel and wash our hands over to wrist joints, rinse the mouth three times, brush our teeth, pass water into each nostril three times and cleanse the nose. We then wash the face three times, then the hands right up to the elbows, perform the Mas-h (wipe the head, the ears and the neck, in that order). And finally, we wash our feet including the ankles. (A detailed description of ablution has already been made in Book I.
Q. Are all these acts commanded in ablution?
Ans. Some of these acts are commanded in Ablution without which Ablution is not complete. These are called “Fard” (commanded). Some other acts are “Masnun” (not commanded by Allah but the Prophet’s precept, i.e. the acts practised by the Prophet, (peace be upon him.) ablution is technically complete but defective without having performed one or all of them. There are still other acts called Mustahab-bat (desirables). Not doing them does not invalidate the ablution but doing them attracts additional reward from Allah.
Q. How many commanded functions (obligatories) are there in ablution?
Ans. These are the following four obligatories in it: (1) washing the face over from one’s hair tips on the forehead down to the chin and from one ear to another; (2) washing the two hands and wrists including the elbows; (3) performing the Mas-h (wiping with wet hands, to the extent of one fourth of one’s head), and (4) washing one’s feet over including the ankles.
Q. How many Masnun items (acts practiced by the Prophet, (peace be upon him) are there in ablution?
Ans. The following thirteen acts are Masnun in ablution: (1) affirmation of intention; (2) reciting Bismillah (3) washing the hands thrice including the ankles; (4) brushing one’s teeth with a tooth-stick (Miswak); (5) rinsing the mouth thrice; (6) passing water into the nostrils thrice; (7) passing one’s fingers through one’s beard ; (8) passing one’s fingers across each other as well as through one’s toes ; (9) washing every limb three times ; (10) performing the Mas-h over one’s entire head once ; (12) executing the various details of ablution in their proper order ; (13) washing the limbs in quick succession so that by the time the next part is washed, the one washed already does not turn dry.
Q. How many Mustahabbat (desirables) are there in ablution?
Ans. The following five acts are Mustahab in ablution: (1) to begin the ablution from the right to the left (some scholars count it among the Masnun acts which seems to be the fact) ; (2) performing Mas-h of the neck; (3) helping oneself while doing ablution without seeking the help of others; (4) facing Qiblah, and (5) sitting on a clean, raised spot, for it.
Q. Give the number of undesirable acts (Makruhat) in ablution?
Ans. There are the following four Makruhat (undesirable acts) in ablution: (1) performing ablution at an unclean spot; (2) blowing one’s nose with the right hand; (3) talking worldly things while doing ablution; (4) performing ablution against the norms of Sunnah.
Q. What acts negate the ablution?
Ans. As many as eight acts negate or invalidate the ablution. These are known as invalidators or Nawaqid of Wudu (ablution). These are: (1) discharging urine, excretion or any other thing from one’s body; (2) passing wind from the rectum; (3) passing blood or puss from the body; (4) throwing out a mouthful of vomit; (5) sleeping either in a posture of lying or resting the body against some support; (6) falling senseless on account of illness or on some other account; (7) going mad; (8) bursting into laughter while offering Salat.
