Hanafi Essentials: Performing Wudu
What is Wuḍūʼ?
Wuḍūʼ is ritual ablution. It is sometimes referred to as the "minor ablution". Upon its completion, one is said to be in "a state of wuḍūʼ".
Being in a state of wuḍūʼ is:
The Obligatory Acts of Wuḍūʼ
The obligatory acts of wuḍūʼ are four:
1. Washing the entire face, from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin in length, and from earlobe to earlobe.
2. Washing both arms completely, up to and including the elbows once.
3. Wiping a quarter of the head above the ears once.
4. Washing the feet completely including the ankles once.
This is the minimum required to successfully perform wuḍūʼ.
A Complete Description of WuḍūʼBeing in a state of wuḍūʼ is:
- Farḍ (obligatory) when performing salāh (prayer), touching the Qurʾān, or performing the prostration of recitation of the Qurʾān.
- Wājib (necessary) when performing tawāf (circumambulation) around the Kaʿbah in Makkah.
- Sunnah (recommended) – when going to bed.
- Mustaḥabb (encouraged) – when you exit the state of wuḍū [even if none of the above needs has arisen].
The Obligatory Acts of Wuḍūʼ
The obligatory acts of wuḍūʼ are four:
1. Washing the entire face, from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin in length, and from earlobe to earlobe.
2. Washing both arms completely, up to and including the elbows once.
3. Wiping a quarter of the head above the ears once.
4. Washing the feet completely including the ankles once.
This is the minimum required to successfully perform wuḍūʼ.
The sunnah way to perform wuḍūʼ is to:
1. Make an intention in your heart, such as, “I intend to perform ritual ablution for the sake of Allāh.”
2. Wash the hands up to and including the wrists.
3. Invoke the name of Allāh, such as saying Bismi ’Llāh wa ’l-ḥamdu li ’Llāh (In the name of Allāh, and all praise belongs to Allāh).
4. Rinse the entire mouth three times, with three handfuls of water.
5. Brush your teeth, with a tooth stick (miswāk) or toothbrush.
6. Rinse the nose three times, with a handful of water each time. It is recommended to take water into the nostrils with the right hand and blow it out with the left hand.
7. Wash the entire face. The face is defined as being from the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin, and from earlobe to earlobe. This is the first of the four obligatory acts of the ritual ablution. It is sunna to wash the face three complete times. After this, pass wetted fingers through the beard if long. It is recommended to start washing from the forehead. One should avoid slapping water onto the face, as this is improper.
8. Wash your arms completely, up to and including the elbows. This is the second of the four obligatory acts of ritual ablution. It is sunnah to wash the arms three complete times. After this, it is sunnah to pass the fingers through each other. It is recommended to start washing from the fingertips.
9. Wipe a quarter of the head once, above the ears. This is the third of the four obligatory acts of ritual ablution. It is sunnah to wipe the entire head starting from the top of the forehead, and recommended to also wipe the back of the neck.
10. Wipe the ears (without taking new water). It is recommended to wipe the outsides of the ears with the thumb, the insides with the index fingers and to insert the little fingers into the ear canal.
11. Wash the feet up to and including the ankles. This is the fourth and final obligatory action of the ritual ablution. It is sunna to wash three complete times, and to pass fingers through the toes. It is recommended to start washing from the tips of the toes, to rub with the left hand, and to pass the little finger through the toes starting with the little toe of the right foot and ending with the little toe of the left foot.
12. During the ritual ablution, it is sunnah to observe the above-mentioned order, to wash the limbs successively without undue delay, and to rub the limbs during the first washing. It is recommended to face the qibla throughout the ritual ablution, and to avoid splashing water onto oneself. It is improper to engage in worldly speech without need, to waste water, or to leave any of the sunnahs without excuse.
What Nullifies Wuḍūʼ
1. The exiting of filth (najāsa) or air from the private parts.
2. The flowing of blood or pus from any part of the outer body, regardless of whether it comes out on its own or is made to come out.
3. Vomiting a mouthful or more of other than phlegm.
4. Sleeping lying down, or reclining, on one’s side.
5. Loss of consciousness.
6. Loss of intellect.
7. Drunkenness.
8. Laughing audibly in a prayer (that has bowing and prostration).
9. Intimate contact between a man and a woman, such that the private parts touch directly.
