What Are the Rules of Wudu? A Complete Guide to the Ritual Purification in Islam
What Are the Rules of Wudu? ~ Wudu is an essential part of a Muslim's life. Before performing prayer or reciting the Quran, I must ensure that I am in a state of purity, and wudu is the way to achieve it. Besides maintaining physical cleanliness, wudu also teaches discipline in preserving spiritual purity. Many of us may be accustomed to performing it, but do we truly understand its rules?
In this article, I will provide a comprehensive explanation of the rules of wudu that every Muslim should know. From the conditions for a valid wudu and the correct steps to perform it to the things that can break it. By understanding these rules, I can ensure that my wudu is performed correctly and in accordance with Islamic teachings.
Many people think that wudu is simple—just washing the face and hands. However, there are specific guidelines that must be followed for wudu to be valid and accepted. Therefore, let's explore this topic in greater depth so that our worship can be more perfect!
The Importance of Wudu in Islam
Wudu is one of the essential obligations that we, as Muslims, cannot neglect. Before performing prayer, we must ensure that we are in a state of cleanliness, as wudu is a prerequisite for the validity of our worship. Allah states in the Quran:
يٰٓاَيُّهَا الَّذِيْنَ اٰمَنُوْٓا اِذَا قُمْتُمْ اِلَى الصَّلٰوةِ فَاغْسِلُوْا وُجُوْهَكُمْ وَاَيْدِيَكُمْ اِلَى الْمَرَافِقِ وَامْسَحُوْا بِرُءُوْسِكُمْ وَاَرْجُلَكُمْ اِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِۗ وَاِنْ كُنْتُمْ جُنُبًا فَاطَّهَّرُوْاۗ وَاِنْ كُنْتُمْ مَّرْضٰٓى اَوْ عَلٰى سَفَرٍ اَوْ جَاۤءَ اَحَدٌ مِّنْكُمْ مِّنَ الْغَاۤىِٕطِ اَوْ لٰمَسْتُمُ النِّسَاۤءَ فَلَمْ تَجِدُوْا مَاۤءً فَتَيَمَّمُوْا صَعِيْدًا طَيِّبًا فَامْسَحُوْا بِوُجُوْهِكُمْ وَاَيْدِيْكُمْ مِّنْهُ ۗمَا يُرِيْدُ اللّٰهُ لِيَجْعَلَ عَلَيْكُمْ مِّنْ حَرَجٍ وَّلٰكِنْ يُّرِيْدُ لِيُطَهِّرَكُمْ وَلِيُتِمَّ نِعْمَتَهٗ عَلَيْكُمْ لَعَلَّكُمْ تَشْكُرُوْنَ
O you who have believed, when you rise to [perform] 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 janabah, 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.[1]
The verse above emphasizes that wudu is not merely a recommendation but a command that we must follow.
Do Muslims Perform Wudu Every Day?
In addition to being a direct command from Allah, wudu also brings great benefits in maintaining personal cleanliness. We can find an explanation of this in the following hadith:
إِذَا تَوَضَّأَ الْعَبْدُ الْمُسْلِمُ - أَوِ الْمُؤْمِنُ - فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ، خَرَجَ مِنْ وَجْهِهِ كُلُّ خَطِيئَةٍ نَظَرَ إِلَيْهَا بِعَيْنَيْهِ مَعَ الْمَاءِ - أَوْ مَعَ آخِرِ قَطْرِ الْمَاءِ - فَإِذَا غَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ، خَرَجَ مِنْ يَدَيْهِ كُلُّ خَطِيئَةٍ كَانَتْ بَطَشَتْهَا يَدَاهُ مَعَ الْمَاءِ - أَوْ مَعَ آخِرِ قَطْرِ الْمَاءِ - فَإِذَا غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ، خَرَجَتْ كُلُّ خَطِيئَةٍ مَشَتْهَا رِجْلَاهُ مَعَ الْمَاءِ - أَوْ مَعَ آخِرِ قَطْرِ الْمَاءِ - حَتَّى يَخْرُجَ نَقِيًّا مِنَ الذُّنُوبِ
When a Muslim or a believer performs ablution, and he washes his face, every sin that his eyes have seen washes away with the water – or with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, every sin his hands have committed washes away with the water – or with the last drop of water. When he washes his feet, every sin his feet have walked towards washes away with the water – or with the last drop of water – until he emerges pure from sins.[2]
The hadith above explains that wudu is not merely about cleansing the body but also a means of erasing minor sins.
In Islam, cleanliness is an essential part of life. Therefore, before standing before Allah in prayer, we must ensure that we are in a state of purity. If wudu is not performed, our prayer will not be valid. This is why wudu is a fundamental requirement before worship.
Without wudu, our prayer will not be accepted. Thus, we must always pay close attention to it.
Understanding the importance of wudu is the first step toward ensuring the perfection of our worship.
The Essential Rules of Wudu
As Muslims, we must understand the basic rules of wudu to ensure that our worship is valid and accepted by Allah. Wudu is a prerequisite for prayer, as mentioned in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 6, which I previously cited.
In wudu, there are obligatory actions that must be performed, as well as recommended sunnah actions that enhance the completeness of our purification.
What is the Full Meaning of Wudu?
Generally, we can find explanations regarding the essential rules of wudu in the following three hadiths:
أَنَّ عُثْمَانَ دَعَا بِوُضُوْءٍ فَغَسَلَ كَفَّيْهِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ تَمَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْشَقَ وَاسْتَنْثَرَ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى إِلَى الْمِرْفَقِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ثُمَّ الْيُسْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُمْنَى إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ ثَلَاثَ مَرَّاتٍ ، ثُمَّ الْيُسْرَى مِثْلَ ذَلِكَ ، ثُمَّ قَالَ : رَأَيْتُ رَسُوْلَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوْئِيْ هَذَا . مُتَّفَقٌ عَلَيْهِ
Uthman performed wudu. He washed his palms three times. Then he rinsed, put a little water into his nose, and expelled it. Then he washed his face three times. He then washed his right hand up to the elbow three times, followed by his left hand in the same manner. Next, he wiped his head. After that, he washed his right foot up to the ankles three times, then his left foot in the same way. He then said, "I have seen the Messenger of Allah (Prophet Muhammad) sallallahu alayhi wa sallam perform wudu like this."[3]
وَمَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ وَاحِدَةً . أَخْرَجَهُ أَبُوْ دَاوُدَ
He (Prophet Muhammad) wiped his head once.[4]
ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ وَأَدْخَلَ إِصْبِعَيْهِ السَّبَاحَتَيْنِ فِيْ أُذُنَيْهِ ، وَمَسَحَ بِأَبْهَامِهِ ظَاهِرَ أُذُنَيْهِ . أَخْرَجَهُ أَبُوْ دَاوُدَ وَالنَّسَائِيُّ
Then he (the Prophet Muhammad) rubbed his head and put his two index fingers into his ears and wiped the outer parts of his ears with his thumbs.[5]
The Explanation is as Follows:
Obligatory Actions (Fardhu Wudu)
The obligatory actions in wudu are the essential parts that must be performed for wudu to be valid. Without completing them, our wudu will not be accepted. These obligatory actions consist of five main things:
- Washing the face.
- Declaring the intention while washing the face.
- Wiping part of the head.
- Wiping both ears.
- Washing both feet.
If we fail to perform any of these actions, then our wudu is invalid.
Washing the face is the first obligation in wudu. While washing the face, we must also have the intention in our hearts, as intention is a crucial part of worship.
After washing the face, we must wipe part of the head. This wiping does not have to cover the entire head, only a portion of it is sufficient. However, for greater completeness, we may wipe the entire head.
Does the Urge to Urinate Break Wudu?
Next, we wipe both ears. It is sufficient to wipe them with the remaining water on our hands after wiping the head.
Finally, we must wash both feet up to the ankles. This is in accordance with Allah's command in Surah Al-Ma'idah: 6, which mentions the obligation of washing the feet. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) also emphasized the importance of washing the feet properly. He said:
وَيْلٌ لِلْأَعْقَابِ مِنَ النَّارِ
Woe to the heels that are not touched by the water of wudu[6]
Recommended Actions (Sunnah Wudu)
In addition to the obligatory actions, there are also recommended (sunnah) actions that we can perform to perfect our wudu. One of them is reciting Bismillah before starting wudu. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
لَا صَلَاةَ لِمَنْ لَا وُضُوءَ لَهُ، وَلَا وُضُوءَ لِمَنْ لَمْ يَذْكُرِ اسْمَ اللَّهِ عَلَيْهِ
The wudu of a person is not complete if they do not mention the name of Allah at its beginning.[7]
Therefore, before starting wudu, it is recommended to say "Bismillah."
Rinsing the mouth and inhaling water into the nose are also sunnah acts in wudu. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) always practiced them, as mentioned in the following hadith:
إِذَا تَوَضَّأْتَ فَانْتَثِرْ، وَإِذَا اسْتَجْمَرْتَ فَأَوْتِرْ
When one of you performs wudu, let him rinse his mouth and inhale water into his nose.[8]
Additionally, prioritizing the right side of the body before the left is also a sunnah in wudu. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) preferred to start with the right side, as explained in the following hadith:
كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يُعْجِبُهُ التَّيَمُّنُ فِي تَنَعُّلِهِ، وَتَرَجُّلِهِ، وَطُهُورِهِ، وَفِي شَأْنِهِ كُلِّهِ
The Prophet (peace be upon him) liked to start with the right side in all matters, including purification, wearing sandals, and combing his hair.[9]
After completing wudu, it is recommended to recite the following supplication:
أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ، وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ، اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِيْ مِنَ التَّوَّابِيْنَ وَاجْعَلْنِيْ مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِيْنَ
I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and those who purify themselves.[10]
By understanding the basic rules of wudu, we can be more confident that our worship is valid and correct. The obligatory actions must be observed to ensure that wudu is accepted, while the sunnah actions can be performed to perfect it.
Does Urine on Clothes Break Wudu?
We must also be careful not to rush through wudu. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once saw someone performing wudu improperly, and he said:
ارْجِعْ فَأَحْسِنْ وُضُوءَكَ
Go back and perfect your wudu.[11]
Therefore, we must ensure that every part of the body that is required to be washed is properly covered with water.
Understanding the basic rules of wudu is not just theoretical knowledge but a practice that we must carry out daily. By following the guidance taught in the Qur'an and Hadith, we can ensure that our wudu is performed correctly and that our worship is accepted by Allah.
Things That Break Wudu
Wudu is a prerequisite for the validity of prayer, so it is important for us to understand what breaks it. If wudu is broken, we must renew it before performing prayer or any other act of worship that requires a state of purity. There are two types of hadas (impurities) that break wudu: minor hadas and major hadas.
Minor hadas is a condition that nullifies a person's wudu but does not necessitate a full ritual bath (ghusl). Some examples of minor hadas include: urination, defecation, passing gas, deep sleep, and touching the private parts without a barrier. The evidence for this is found in Surah Al-Ma'idah, verse 6.
Additionally, deep sleep can also break wudu. If a person sleeps while sitting with a stable posture, their wudu remains intact. However, if their body moves or leans to the extent that they lose awareness, their wudu is nullified. A hadith from Abu Hurairah states that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
الْعَيْنُ وِكَاءُ السَّهِ ، فَإِذَا نَامَتِ الْعَيْنَانِ اسْتَطْلَقَ الْوِكَاءُ
The eyes are the tie of the anus. If a person sleeps, the tie is loosened, so he must renew his wudu.[12]
Minor hadas is different from major hadas. While minor hadas only breaks wudu, major hadas requires a full ritual bath (ghusl) before one can perform acts of worship. Some causes of major hadas include the emission of semen, marital relations, menstruation, and postpartum bleeding. This is in accordance with Allah's command:
The emission of semen, whether intentional or unintentional, is considered major hadas and requires a ritual bath (ghusl). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said:
إِذَا قَعَدَ بَيْنَ شُعَبِهَا الأَرْبَعِ، ثُمَّ جَهَدَهَا، فَقَدْ وَجَبَ الغُسْلُ
If a man sits between the four limbs (of his wife) and exerts himself (in intercourse), then ghusl becomes obligatory.[13]
Similarly, marital relations, even without ejaculation, still necessitate ghusl, as stated in a hadith narrated by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her).
For women, menstruation and postpartum bleeding (nifas) are also considered major hadas. A woman is not allowed to pray or fast while menstruating. After the period ends, she must perform ghusl before resuming acts of worship. The evidence for this is found in a hadith from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her):
دَعِي الصَّلاَةَ أَيَّامَ مَحِيضِكِ، ثُمَّ اغْتَسِلِي وَصَلِّي
Leave the prayer during your menstruation, then perform ghusl and pray.[14]
By understanding minor and major hadas, we can be more mindful in maintaining our wudu. If our wudu is broken, we should immediately renew it to remain in a state of purity.
May this explanation help in understanding the things that break wudu more easily.
Conclusion
Understanding the rules of wudu correctly is very important! It's not just about washing body parts; a valid wudu is a key requirement for the acceptance of prayer. If there are mistakes, the act of worship may be invalid. That's why it's essential to know what nullifies wudu and how to perform it correctly according to Islamic teachings.
Wudu is more than just cleansing. There is a proper procedure that must be followed, starting from the intention to the order of washing each body part. Carelessness is not an option! Each step has specific conditions that must be met to ensure the validity of wudu. By understanding these rules, we can perform our worship with greater peace and confidence.
Therefore, we must ensure that our wudu is performed correctly. We don't want our worship to be in vain just because our wudu is invalid. Let's keep learning and improving how we perform wudu!
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are 10 questions about the rules of wudu along with brief answers:
What are the obligatory pillars of wudu for it to be valid?
The six pillars of wudu are: intention, washing the face, washing the hands up to the elbows, wiping the head, washing the feet up to the ankles, and following the correct sequence.
Is it necessary to start wudu with an intention?
Yes, the intention of wudu must be present in the heart before starting. Reciting it verbally is recommended but not obligatory.
How should wudu be performed correctly according to Islamic teachings?
It starts with the intention, followed by washing the face, hands, wiping the head, and washing the feet in the correct order and recommended number of times.
What things break wudu?
Passing gas, urinating, defecating, losing consciousness, deep sleep, touching the private parts with desire, and the discharge of impurities from the body.
Does touching the opposite gender break wudu?
In the Shafi'i school of thought, touching a non-mahram of the opposite gender without a barrier breaks wudu. Other schools have different opinions.
Is it permissible to wipe over socks or shoes during wudu?
Yes, if the socks meet certain conditions, such as covering the ankles and being worn after a valid wudu.
Does wearing makeup or cream prevent wudu?
If makeup or cream forms a layer that blocks water from reaching the skin, it must be removed before performing wudu.
How many times should each body part be washed during wudu?
The minimum is once, but it is recommended to wash each part three times according to the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad SAW.
Is wudu valid if a part of the body is left dry?
No, wudu is invalid if any required body part is not properly washed with water.
When does wudu become obligatory again?
Wudu must be repeated if it is broken, before prayer, before touching the Quran, or whenever purification from minor ritual impurity is required.
Footnotes
[1] Al-Maidah (5): 6.
[2] Muslim bin Hajjaj, Shahih Muslim, Number 244.
[3] Muslim bin Hajjaj, Shahih Muslim, Number 226, and Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari (Imam al-Bukhari), Shahih al-Bukhariy, Number 164.
[4] Sulaiman bin al-Asy'as bin Ishak bin Basyir bin Syidad bin Amar al-Azdi as-Sijidtani (Abu Dawood), Sunan Abi Dawood, Number 111, and Muhammad bin Isa at-Tirmidhi, Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Number 48.
[5] Sulaiman bin al-Asy'as bin Ishak bin Basyir bin Syidad bin Amar al-Azdi as-Sijidtani (Abu Dawood), Sunan Abi Dawood, Number 135, and Muhammad bin Isa at-Tirmidhi, Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Number 140.
[6] Muslim bin Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim, Number 241, and Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari (Imam al-Bukhari), Sahih al-Bukhari, 60, Sulaiman bin al-Asy'as bin Ishak bin Basyir bin Syidad bin Amar al-Azdi as-Sijidtani (Abu Dawood), Sunan Abi Dawood, Number 97, and Muhammad bin Isa at-Tirmidhi, Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Number 111.
[7] Ahmad bin Hanbal, Al-Musnad, Number 27145, and Muhammad bin Isa at-Tirmidhi, Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Number 25.
[8] Ahmad bin Hanbal, Al-Musnad, Number 19013.
[9] Muslim bin Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim, Number 268, and Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari (Imam al-Bukhari), Sahih al-Bukhari, 5380, Sulaiman bin al-Asy'as bin Ishak bin Basyir bin Syidad bin Amar al-Azdi as-Sijidtani (Abu Dawood), Sunan Abi Dawood, Number 4140.
[10] Sulaiman bin al-Asy'as bin Ishak bin Basyir bin Syidad bin Amar al-Azdi as-Sijidtani (Abu Dawood), Sunan Abi Dawood, Number 169, and Muhammad bin Isa at-Tirmidhi, Sunan at-Tirmidhi, Number 55, Abu Abdillah Muhammad bin Yazid bin Abdullah bin Majah al-Quzwaini (Ibn Majah), Sunan Ibn Majah, Number 470, and Ahmad bin Hanbal, Al-Musnad, Number 121.
[11] Muslim bin Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim, Number 243.
[12] Abu bakar Ahmad bin Husain bin Ali bin Abdullah al-Baihaqi, as-Sunan al-Baihaqi, Number 590.
[13] Muslim bin Hajjaj, Sahih Muslim, Number 348, and Muhammad bin Ismail al-Bukhari (Imam al-Bukhari), Sahih al-Bukhari, 291.
[14] Abu Abdillah Muhammad bin Yazid bin Abdullah bin Majah al-Quzwaini (Ibn Majah), Sunan Ibn Majah, Number 624,and Ahmad bin Hanbal, Al-Musnad, Number 26255.
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