Purification of the Body according to the Sunnah
In one of the hadith, the Prophet said: “It is a duty that every Muslim owes to God to take a bath (at least) every seven days,” expressing the importance of cleansing the body. In addition to washing and purifying the whole body of dirt and sweat, there are also specific areas of the body that we should wash more frequently. The hair, the armpits and genital areas should be washed often, and the hair that grows under the arms and around the groin area should be removed on a regular basis.
Every Muslim must cut both the finger and toe nails frequently and make a habit of brushing the teeth and keeping the nose clean. It is more desirable to cut the hair or nails when the body is in a state of purity.
Ablution – The Purification of Spiritual Impurities
The word wudû’, or ablution, literally means water used to wash the hands and face. As a religious term described in the Qur’ân and traditions of the Prophet, ablution is purification of certain organs of the body with water or by performing tayammum (purification using sand or dust when water is not available).
Ablution is the means of physical and spiritual protection. A Muslim who performs ablution at least five times a day becomes accustomed to cleanliness which protects him from various cases of illness. The ritual purification is the means of expiating minor sins and conveys excellence and contentment to the soul. A person who regularly performs ablutions, or who is in the state of ritual purity at all times, will be more capable of guarding himself from evil thoughts and sin. The Prophet explained the virtues of ritual purification in one of the hadith: “Whoever performs the ritual of purification as prescribed, and then prays as prescribed, his past minor sins will be forgiven.”
The ritual ablution was deemed obligatory in this verse of the Qur’ân:
O you who believe! When you rise up for the Prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, and lightly rub your heads (with water), and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. (Mâedah 5:6)
What are the fard (obligatory) acts of ablution?
There are four obligatory acts of ablution:
1. Washing the whole face, from the hairline to below the chin once.
2. Washing the hands and arms including the elbows once.
3. Wiping one fourth of the head with wet hands, also known as masah.
4. Washing the feet including the ankles once.
What are the sunnah acts of ablution?
It is Sunnah to perform the following acts of ablution:
1. Cleaning the teeth with a miswak or toothbrush before performing the ablution.
2. Reciting the A‘ûdhu-Basmala1 at the beginning of ablution.
3. Proclaiming the intention of performing the ablution.
4. Washing the hands up to the wrists three times.
5. Washing the limbs necessary in ablution three times each.
6. Rinsing the mouth and breathing water into the nostrils three times.
7. Performing the ablution in accordance with the order prescribed in the Qur’ân.
8. Washing the right limbs first.
9. Wiping the head from the forehead to the neck with wet hands.
10. Wiping the two ears and neck with wet hands.
11. While washing the hands and feet, beginning with the tips of the toe and fingertips.
Although abandoning any of the sunnah acts does not invalidate the ablution, it does reduce the reward for performing a sunnah of the Prophet. Therefore, when we perform the rituals of purification, we should follow the Prophet’s actions as an example just as we do in every aspect of our lives and worship.
Important Matters to Consider While Performing Ablution
1. Ensuring that no area of the limbs washed during ablution remains dry.
2. Removing any substance that could prevent water being absorbed into the skin or from coming into contact with the nails, such as clay, paint, and nail varnish.
3. Henna does not invalidate ablution as it does not prevent water from coming in contact with the skin or the nails.
4. While performing ablution, moving any rings on the fingers to ensure water reaches the skin beneath the rings.
5. Ensuring that the feet are washed up to the ankles.
6. Washing between the toes.
7. If any of the limbs to be washed during ablution has a wound or condition which may be harmed by water, wiping over the wound with wet hands is sufficient. However, it is unnecessary to wipe the wound if this too can cause harm.
8. If a wound or a limb of the body is covered with a bandage, and removing the bandage may be harmful, wiping over the bandage with wet hands is enough.
9. Although not abiding by the prescribed order of washing the organs does not invalidate the ablution, it does reduce the rewards for performing the purification.
10. Pausing while performing the ritual of purification is an undesirable act, but it does not invalidate the ablution.
11. A person who has lost the whole or part of a limb that must be washed during ablution should wash the existing part of the limb.
What invalidates ablution?
1. Passing urine or fecal excrement.
2. Passing gas.
3. The discharge of blood or pus which flows from any part of the body.
4. Vomiting a mouthful of vomit or more (even if vomited in small amounts at a time).
5. Sleeping while lying or leaning against something.
6. Fainting.
7. Intoxication.
8. Laughing aloud during the prayer to the extent that others can hear.
What does not invalidate ablution?
1. Vomiting less than a mouthful of vomit.
2. Emitting phlegm.
3. Dozing in the sitting or kneeling position while not leaning against something.
4. Crying and laughing aloud (not during the prayer). If crying is because of some divine or religious thoughts, it is desirable and certainly does not harm ablution or the prayers.
5. Smiling during the prayer.
6. Cutting the hair or nails.
7. Laughing during the prayer to the extent that others cannot hear invalidates the prayer but does not invalidate ablution.
8. If any blood or discharge of pus from the body is no larger than prick of a needle and does not flow or spread, ablution is not invalidated.
What is not permitted without performing ablution?
1. Prayer (salâh)
2. Performing the tawaf
3. Handling the Qur’ân.
The Qur’ân can only be touched or handled without having ablution (wudû’) if it is covered or held by a clean item. The important point here is that the cover should not be attached to the Qur’ân itself. Other than the glorious book of the Qur’ân, however, various religious books that contain verses of the Qur’ân can be held and read without performing ablutions. Though having ablution is a must to hold and read the Qur’ân, memorized verses of the Qur’ân can be recited without ablution.