What Is Wudhu?

Wudhu is the Arabic word for ablution: a particular kind of ritual washing which a Muslim must perform in preparation for prayer and certain other acts of worship.

How to Perform Wudhu 

1. Have the intention in your heart of performing wudhu (the intention is not said out loud), then mention Allah's name, saying: "Bismillaah" (meaning: "In the name of Allah") 
2. Then, wash your hands, from the fingertips to the wrist, three times.
3. Scoop up a handful of water using your right hand, and sip some of the water into your mouth. While keeping the water in your mouth, sniff the rest of the water in your hand up your nostrils, then blow it out of the nose. Use your left hand to clean your nose, then gargle with the water which is in your mouth, swill it around, then spit it out. Repeat the same three times.
4. Wash your face three times from right ear to left ear and from forehead to the bottom of the chin, including washing and running fingers through the beard.
5. Wash your right arm thoroughly from the fingertips to the elbows three times, then do the same with your left three times.
6. Wet your hands, then wipe the wet palms over your head from the top of your forehead to the back of your head, and then back to the front again (without pouring any water over your head). Do not wipe your neck.
7. Without taking any more water, pass the wet tips of index fingers into the grooves and holes of both ears and at the same time pass the wet thumbs behind the ears once.
8. Wash both feet to the ankles three times, starting with the right foot. Make sure the water has reached between the toes and covered the rest of the foot.

The Du'a Upon Completing Wudhu 

أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Transliteration: ash-hadu an laa ilaha ill-allaahu waḥdahu laa shareeka lahu, wa ash-hadu anna muḥammadan ‛abduhu wa rasooluhu

Translation: I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah, alone, without partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. 

"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever performs Wudu' and says the above supplication, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through whichever one he wishes.'" – Muslim 234

Nullifiers of Wudhu

1. Natural Discharge: urine, stool, gas, etc.
2. Deep sleep
3. Unconsciousness of any kind
4. Losing sanity
5. Touching of the uncovered private parts
6. Eating camel meat
7. Touching a woman with desire

Enriches the soul

Man is forgetful, especially with our busy lifestyles. Prayer satisfies our spiritual need to be in contact with our Creator. This gives the soul peace and contentment.

Allah says, “Without doubt, in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find satisfaction.” Qur’an 13:28

 Makes us humble

By realising Allah’s greatness and dependence on our Lord, man is humbled is rid from pride and arrogance. In the prayer, the Muslim puts the highest part of his body and source of intellect, his head, on to the ground and says, “How perfect is my Lord, The Most High.”

Humbleness is one of the qualities which Allah has associated with success.

He says, “Successful indeed are the believers, who are humble in their prayers.” Qur’an 23:1-2

Of course this can only be achieved when one understands what one is reciting and concentrates with humility.

Washes away sins

Everyone commits sins, however, Allah has provided, in prayer, a way to wipe out those sins.

Allah says: And perform prayer… surely the good deeds remove the evils deeds. Qur’an 11:114

The Messenger gave a beautiful example when he said to his companions: “Consider if one of you had a river by his door in which he bathed five times a day. Would any filth remain on him?” They said, “No.” Then the Prophet replied: “Likewise, Allah wipes away sins with the five daily prayers.”

Cures our Problems

Man is surrounded by numerous trials and problems. Once we focus on strengthening our relationship with our Lord, He, who is All-Powerful, will fix our worldly problems. Like our scholars say, whoever strengthens their relationship between themselves and Allah, Allah will strengthen their relationship between themselves and the creation.

Allah says, Seek help in patience and prayer. Qur’an 2:153

 Unites the Muslims

When the prayer is performed in congregation, it cultivates brotherhood, equality and humility between Muslims. The worshippers stand in rows, shoulder to shoulder, without any distinction of race, nationality, colour, wealth, family or status, and all pray together as one body. This act of unity helps demolish all barriers which stand between men.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Prayer in congregation is better than praying alone by twenty-seven degrees.”

Abandoning the Prayer

Sign of ingratitude

Refusing the invitation of your Creator to establish this close relationship with Him is the ultimate ingratitude. Allah created you and gave you everything,

He says, “ It is He who has created you and endowed you with hearing and seeing and hearts, little are you grateful.”      Qur’an 67:23

The Prophet’s feet would sometimes get swollen because he would stand in prayer for lengthy periods, and when asked about this, he would reply: “Should I not be a grateful servant of my Lord?”

Miserable life

The human that has no connection with Allah helplessly seeks an alternative and leaves no stone unturned looking for calmness and bliss. It, however, searches in vain, wandering aimlessly.

Allah says: “ And whoever turns away from My remembrance – indeed for him is a life of hardship. And We will raise him on the Day of Resurrection, blind. He will say, “My Lord, why have you raised me blind while I was (once) seeing?” (Allah) will say, “Thus did Our signs come to you, and you forgot (disregarded) them; and thus will you, this Day, be forgotten.”   Qur’an 20:124-6

Common Excuses

What excuse do we honestly have when we face our Lord on the Day of Judgement?