Ablution (Al-Wudu) – Basic 1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (Second Term)

Al-Wudu (الْوُضُوء) is ablution, the washing of certain parts of the body with clean water before prayer. It makes a Muslim ready to pray. Muslims make Wudu before Salah and before touching the Qur’an. This note shows why we make Wudu, how to do it step by step, and what breaks it.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

• State the meaning of Al-Wudu.
• Give reasons why Muslims make Wudu.
• List the steps of Wudu in order.
• Name some things that break Wudu.
• Say the du’a after Wudu.

Why do Muslims make Wudu?

• Allah commands it before prayer. Our prayer is not accepted without it.
• It makes our body clean and fresh.
• It helps to wash away small sins.
• It shows that we obey Allah and follow the Prophet (SAW).

The Prophet (SAW) said: “Allah does not accept prayer without purification” (Hadith, Muslim).

When do we make Wudu?

• Before Salah, such as the five daily prayers.
• Before touching the Qur’an.
• It is also good to make Wudu before sleeping.

How do we make Wudu?

Before you start

• Make the intention (Niyyah) in your heart. Do not say it aloud.
• Say Bismillah (بِسْمِ اللهِ), meaning “In the name of Allah”.
• Use clean water, such as tap, well, rain or clean river water.

The steps of Wudu

1. Wash both hands up to the wrists, 3 times.
2. Rinse the mouth, 3 times.
3. Rinse the nose, 3 times.
4. Wash the whole face, from forehead to chin and ear to ear, 3 times.
5. Wash the right arm, then the left arm, from fingertips to elbows, 3 times each.
6. Wipe the head once, from front to back and back to front.
7. Wipe the ears once.
8. Wash the right foot, then the left foot, up to the ankles, 3 times each. Wash between the toes.

Always do the steps in this order. Start with the right side before the left. Do not waste water.

The du’a after Wudu

Arabic: أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ

Transliteration: Ashhadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la sharika lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluh.

Meaning: I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

What breaks Wudu?

We must make Wudu again if any of these happen:

• Urine comes out.
• Faeces comes out.
• Gas passes from the body.
• We fall into deep sleep.
• We faint or lose consciousness.

Talking, eating and drinking do not break Wudu.

Evaluation

Choose the correct answer.

1. Wudu means _____.
   • a) prayer
   • b) ablution
   • c) fasting
2. We must have Wudu before _____.
   • a) eating
   • b) playing
   • c) praying
3. We wash our face _____ times in Wudu.
   • a) one
   • b) three
   • c) five
4. Passing gas _____ Wudu.
   • a) does not affect
   • b) breaks
   • c) improves
5. Before starting Wudu, we say _____.
   • a) Alhamdulillah
   • b) Bismillah
   • c) Assalamu Alaikum

Answer key (for teachers)

1. b) ablution
2. c) praying
3. b) three
4. b) breaks
5. b) Bismillah

Assignment

1. Make Wudu at home with your parents watching.
2. Learn the du’a after Wudu.
3. Write down the steps of Wudu in order.