The Partial Ablution-(Wudu’)

Before offering the prayer one must be in good shape and pure condition. It is necessary to wash the parts of the body which are generally exposed to dirt or dust or smog. This performance is called ABLUTION (Wudu’) and is preferably carried out as follows:

  1. Declare the intention that the act is for the purpose of worship and purity.

  2. Wash the hands up to the wrists, three times.

  3. Rinse out the mouth with water, three times, preferably with a brush whenever it is possible.

  4. Cleanse the nostrils of the nose by sniffing water into them, three times.

  5. Wash the whole face three times with both hands, if possible, from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin and from ear to ear.

  6. Wash the right arm three times up to the far end of the elbow, and then do the same with the left arm.

  7. Wipe the whole head or any part of it with a wet hand, once.

  8. Wipe the inner sides of the ears with the forefingers and their outer sides with the thumbs. This should be done with wet fingers.

9. Wipe around the neck with wet hands.

10. Wash the two feet up to the ankles, three times, beginning with the right foot.

At this stage the ablution is completed, and the person who has performed it is ready to start his prayer. When the ablution is valid a person may keep it as long as he can, and may use it for as many prayers as he wishes. But it is preferable to renew it as often as possible. It is also preferable to do it in the said order, although it will be accepted from those who fail to keep this order. Ablution in the said way is sufficient for prayer unless it is nullified by any reason.

Nullification of the Ablution

The ablution becomes nullified by any of the following:

1. Natural discharges, i.e., urine, stools, gas, etc..

2. The flow of blood or pus and the like from any part of the body:

3. Vomiting;

4. Falling asleep;

5. Losing one's reason by taking drugs or any intoxicating stuff.

After the occurrence of any of these things the ablution must be renewed for prayer. Also, after natural discharges, water should be applied because the use of toilet tissues may not be sufficient for the purpose of purity and worship.

Complete Substitute for the Ablution (Tayammum)

Tayammum or resort to pure earth may substitute for the ablution and even the bath. This is allowed in any of the following cases:

1. When a person is sick and cannot use water;

2. When he has no access to water in sufficient quantity; 3. When the use of water is likely to do him harm or cause any disease;

  1. When the performance of ablution makes the person miss a funeral or Eed Prayer, which has no substitute.

In any of these instances it is permissible to make ‘Tayammum’ which is performed as follows:

1. Strike both hands slightly on pure earth or sand or stone.

2. Shake the hands off and wipe the face with them once in the same way as done in the ablution.

3. Strike the hands again and wipe the right arm to the elbow with the left hand and the left arm with the right hand.

This ‘Tayammum’ is a symbolic demonstration of the importance of the ablution, which is so vital for both worship and health. When Islam introduced this repeatable ablution, it brought along with it the best hygienic formula which no other spiritual doctrine or medical prescription had anticipated.

Special Facilities in Ablution

With regard to the ablution Islam has offered certain facilities. If socks or stockings are on and have been put on after performing an ablution, it is not necessary to take them off when renewing the ablution. Instead of taking them off, the wet hand may be passed over them. They should be removed, however, and the feet washed at least once in every twenty-four hours. The same practice may be resorted to if the boots are on and their soles and appearances are clean. Similarly if there is a wound in any of the parts which must be washed in the ablution, and if washing that particular part is likely to cause harm, it is permissible to wipe the dressing bandage of the wound with a wet hand.

The Complete Ablution (Ghusi/Bath)

The whole body with the nostrils, mouth and head must be washed by a complete bath before entering prayer in any of the following cases:

  1. After intimate intercourse;

  2. After wet dreams;

  3. Upon expiration of the menstruation period of women;

  4. At the end of the confinement period of nursing women, which, is estimated

at a maximum of forty days. If it ends before, complete ablution should be done.

 It should be pointed out that at the start of the bath or ablution, the intention must be clear that it is for the purpose of purity and worship. Also, a person who is performing an ablution, partial or complete, should combine his performance with some utterances glorifying God and praying Him for true guidance. The forms of such utterances are described in detail in the elaborate sources of the religion. One, however, can say one's own best utterances if one does not know the exact wording. That is sufficient as long as it is in the praise of God and is said with sincerity.