In this article, we will explore in depth Wudu and its impact on our contemporary society. Wudu has been the subject of study and interest over the years, and its relevance has not diminished over time. Through a comprehensive analysis, we will examine the different aspects and facets of Wudu, from its origins to its role in today's world. We will delve into its meaning, its implications and its influence in various spheres, as well as its relevance to the general public. Through this exploration, we hope to provide a more complete and enriching view of Wudu, in order to better understand its importance and implications for the world in which we live.
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Wuḍūʾ (Arabic: الوضوء al-wuḍūʼ [wʊˈdˤuːʔ] transl. ablution) is the Islamic procedure for cleansing parts of the body, a type of ritual purification, or ablution. The four Fardh (Mandatory) acts of wudu are washing the face, then the arms, then wiping the head, then washing or wiping the feet, and doing these in order without any big breaks between them.
Wudu is an important part of ritual purity in Islam. It is governed by fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence), which specifies hygienical jurisprudence and defines the rituals that constitute it. Ritual purity is called tahara.
Wudu is typically performed before salah (daily ritual prayer). Activities that invalidate wudu include urination, defecation, flatulence, deep sleep, light bleeding (depending on madhhab), menstruation, postpartum status, and sexual intercourse.
Wudu is often translated as 'partial ablution', as opposed to ghusl 'full ablution' where the whole body is washed. It also contrasts with tayammum or "dry ablution", which uses sand or dust in place of water principally due to water scarcity or other harmful effects on the person.
Qur'an 2:222 says "For God loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean." The Islamic prophet Muhammad said that "Cleanliness is half of faith."
Wudu by itself is a mustahabb ("recommended act"), but it becomes obligatory in special conditions such as salah and tawaf.
Wudu in a hadith of Abu Hurairah, discussing the Day of Resurrection, said that Muhammad, when asked if he would be able to recognize Muslims, said, "Yes, you would have a mark which other people will not have. You would come to me with a white blaze on your foreheads and white marks on your feet because of the traces of ablution."
Abu Hurayra said, "I have heard the prophet (may peace be upon him) say, "In a believer, adornment would reach the places where ablution reaches."
Uthman stated that Muhammad said, "He who performed ablution well, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails."
Umar reported that Muhammad said, "No one among you does wuḍūʾ and does wuḍūʾ thoroughly – or adequately – and then testifies, 'There is no god but Allah Alone with no partner and I testify that Muhammad is Allah's Messenger', without the eight doors of the Garden being opened to him so that he can enter by whichever of them he wishes."
Ja'far al-Sadiq said in numerous Hadiths that it is permissible to make wudu with water that is not overwhelmed with the smell of dead animals. If there is a dead animal, it is recommended to take wudu from the opposite side of the location of the animal. He also said it is permissible to take wudu from the ponds between Mecca and Medina in which people perform ghusl, dogs and beasts drink, and animals die, so long as the water level is at least up to the knees.
Ali al-Rida said that if a drop of urine, blood or animal feces falls into a well, one must remove about ten buckets from it before performing wudu. If the feces has disintegrated into the water, forty to fifty buckets must be removed. Ja'far al-Sadiq also said that if an animal falls into the well, and has not disintegrated in it, one should remove five to seven buckets of water from it until the smell or taste of the water changes. However, if the animal is bleeding or has an open wound, one must draw out thirty to forty buckets before it becomes purified for wudu. If a camel dies in the well or wine is poured into the well, all the water must be drained.
The water of Wudu must be muṭlaq, meaning pure or unmixed (not necessarily chemically pure). The name of a liquid that is normally regarded by individuals as water.
Other acts performed during wuḍūʾ and the detailed acts of the wuḍūʾ can be classed into three types:
According to Sunni Muslims, the Qur'anic mandate for wudu comes in the sixth āyah of surah al-Ma'idah. The āyah has been translated by Muhammad Muhsin Khan, Rashad Khalifa, Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Marmaduke Pickthall, and Maulana Muhammad Ali as follows. Nevertheless, the vast majority of Sunni scholars also accept wiping over covered feet, subject to certain conditions.
O you who have believed, when you rise to prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles. And if you are in a state of Junub, then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself or you have contacted women and do not find water, then seek clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favor upon you that you may be grateful.
Referencing the above verse, the Sunni schools of thought have consensus that the following four actions are fard or "obligatory". Fard refers to the daily ritual prayers, charity, fasting, and hajj, i.e. necessary for wudu to be valid:
The obligation of the following actions is debated among the schools of fiqh, though if not deemed obligatory they are considered recommended:
It is not sufficient for one to pass wet hand over the feet. Under certain conditions, it can be done over slippers or traditional leather footwear called khuffayn. This is confirmed in several hadiths.
Shi'a Muslims also believe the Qur'anic mandate for wuḍūʾ comes in the sixth ayat of al-Ma'idah. The āyah has been translated by Muhammad Habib Shakir.
O ye who believe! when ye prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows; Rub your heads (with water); and your feet to the ankles. If ye are in a state of ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body. But if ye are ill, or on a journey, or one of you cometh from offices of nature, or ye have been in contact with women, and ye find no water, then take for yourselves clean sand or earth, and rub therewith your faces and hands, Allah doth not wish to place you in a difficulty, but to make you clean, and to complete His favour to you, that ye may be grateful.
There are a handful of recommended acts, but if omitted, the wuḍūʾ is still valid.
Muslims who are unable to perform the prevailing form of ablution due to skin disease, a disability, or a lack of clean water, etc. are recommended to perform tayammum, sometimes called 'dry ablution', using sand or dust instead of water. Such ritual purity may also be accepted in cases in weather where it would be dangerous.
Tayammum is also to be performed when one is defiled and could not perform ghusl.
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Sunni Muslims generally perform the following:
“Ašhadu ʾan lā ʾilāha ʾilla -llāhu, wa-ʾašhadu ʾanna muḥammadan rasūlu -llāh.” Then one may recite this Dua: “Allahummaz aal-ni minttwwabi-n waz-aal-ni minal mu-ta-tahhirin”
Any part of the body that has not been washed, cleaned or dried improperly can be redone.
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Theoretically, one can perform one wuḍūʾ for salat and this wudu would be considered valid for the rest of the day, unless you nullify it by certain means. Muslims believe that certain acts invalidate the wudu (often referred to as 'breaking wudu' and 'losing wudu'), although the Qur'an does not explain most of these, and rules differ among schools. According to Hidden Pearls website,
During the research and production of this video & blog post, we came across so many conflicting opinions on what breaks wudu and what doesn’t. Different schools of thought vary widely on this issue, unfortunately. Especially in the cases of ruling on general bleeding & vomiting, we were even surprised that there seemed to be no correct answer.
According to Sunni Islam, the following invalidates wudu:
According to Shia theology, the following invalidate wudu:
Belching and vomiting do not invalidate wudhu; however, it is strongly recommended that the individual rinse his or her mouth following the latter. Bleeding is not considered to invalidate wudhu either, as Ja'far al-Sadiq made it clear in Hadith that a bad wound is not caused to repeat wudhu. This concept further extends to parasites that may exit the body through the two extremities. Cutting one's hair or nails does not invalidate wudhu but he or she should wipe the area with water.
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