Al-Wudu (Water Ablution) – JSS1 Islamic Studies Lesson Note (First Term)

Al-Wudu is the Islamic practice of washing certain parts of the body with clean water before prayer and other acts of worship.

Behavioural objectives

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

1. Define Al-Wudu and state why it is important in Islam.
2. Name the types of water that can and cannot be used for Wudu.
3. Perform the steps of Wudu in the correct order.
4. State the dua said after Wudu.
5. List the acts of worship that require Wudu and the things that break it.
6. Explain the benefits of Wudu and the common mistakes to avoid.

What is Al-Wudu?

Al-Wudu is the washing of the face, arms and feet and the wiping of the head with clean water, as a form of purification before worship.

• Meaning of the word: “Wudu” comes from the Arabic word “Wada’ah”, which means cleanliness and brightness.
• Physical purpose: it keeps the body clean.
• Spiritual purpose: it makes a Muslim ready for prayer.

Why is Wudu important in Islam?

Wudu is important because Allah commands it and prayer is not accepted without it.

• Purification for prayer: Wudu is necessary before Salah (prayer).
• Command of Allah: “O you who believe! When you prepare for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands to the elbows; rub your heads; and wash your feet to the ankles.” (Quran 5:6)
• Spiritual preparation: it reminds a Muslim to be pure in thought and action when approaching Allah.
• Example of the Prophet: Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) performed Wudu before prayer.
• Teaching of the Prophet: “Allah does not accept prayer without purification.” (Muslim)
• Reward from Allah: the Prophet (peace be upon him) taught that sins fall away with the last drop of water as each part is washed. (Muslim)

Sins washed away, as taught in the hadith

• Washing the face: sins done with the eyes are washed away.
• Washing the hands: sins done with the hands are washed away.
• Washing the feet: sins done with the feet are washed away.

What are the compulsory parts of Wudu?

There are four compulsory parts of Wudu, taken from Quran 5:6.

1. Washing the face: from the hairline to the bottom of the chin, and from ear to ear.
2. Washing the arms: from the fingertips up to and including the elbows.
3. Wiping the head: wiping with wet hands.
4. Washing the feet: up to and including the ankles.

Which water can be used for Wudu?

Water can be used for Wudu when it is clean, pure and natural.

What are the conditions for the water?

• Clean and pure (tahir): it has no impurity in it.
• Natural: it is not mixed with anything that changes its nature.
• Not used before: it has not been used for removing impurity.

What are the suitable types of water?

• Rain water: collected from the rain.
• Well water: drawn from a well or borehole.
• Spring water: flowing naturally from the ground.
• Sea water: from the sea or ocean.
• River water: from a river or stream.
• Tap water: clean piped water.
• Melted snow or ice: water from melted snow or ice.

What are the unsuitable types of water?

• Mixed water: water mixed with something that changes its colour, taste or smell.
• Used water: a small amount of water already used for removing impurity.
• Harmful water: water that experts say is harmful to use.

How is Wudu performed?

Wudu is performed in ten steps, following the Sunnah (practice) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

What should a person do before starting Wudu?

• Place: find a clean place with access to water.
• Barriers: remove anything that stops water reaching the skin, such as rings, watches or nail polish.
• Impurities: remove physical impurities from the parts of the body to be washed.

What are the steps of Wudu?

1. Niyyah (intention):
   • Make the intention in your heart to perform Wudu for purification.
   • It is an inner action and need not be spoken.
2. Say Bismillah:
   • Say “Bismillah” (In the name of Allah) before starting.
   • The Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “There is no Wudu for the one who does not mention Allah’s name upon it.” (Abu Dawud, Tirmidhi)
3. Wash the hands:
   • Wash both hands up to the wrists three times.
   • Start with the right hand, then the left.
   • Let water reach between the fingers.
   • Move a ring so that water reaches under it.
4. Rinse the mouth:
   • Take water into the mouth with the right hand and rinse three times.
   • Rinse vigorously if you are not fasting.
5. Rinse the nose:
   • Draw water into the nostrils with the right hand three times.
   • Blow it out using the left hand.
   • Sniff the water up deeply if you are not fasting.
6. Wash the face:
   • Wash the whole face three times.
   • The face goes from the hairline to the bottom of the chin, and from ear to ear.
   • Let water reach the corners of the mouth, around the nose and between beard hairs.
7. Wash the arms:
   • Wash the right arm from the fingertips up to and including the elbow, three times.
   • Wash the left arm the same way.
   • Let water flow over all sides of the arms and between the fingers.
8. Wipe the head:
   • Wet the hands and wipe over the head once.
   • Move the hands from the front of the head to the back, then return to the front.
   • Some scholars say wiping a part of the head is enough.
9. Wipe the ears:
   • Use wet index fingers for the inside of the ears.
   • Use the thumbs for the outside of the ears.
   • Do this once.
10. Wash the feet:
    • Wash the right foot up to and including the ankle, three times.
    • Wash the left foot the same way.
    • Let water reach between the toes.

How many times is each part washed or wiped?

What are the optional practices in Wudu?

Optional practices are recommended actions that are not required for Wudu to be valid.

• Repeating: washing each part more than once, but not more than three times.
• Miswak: using a tooth stick or toothbrush before starting.
• After waking: washing the hands at the start, for someone who has just woken up.
• Thick beard: running wet fingers through it.
• Between fingers and toes: running wet fingers through them.
• Right before left: starting with the right side.

What is the dua after Wudu?

The dua after Wudu is the declaration of faith, said after completing the Wudu.

• Arabic: “Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu wahdahu la shareeka lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasuluhu.”
• Meaning: “I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”
• Reward: the Prophet (peace be upon him) said the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for the one who performs Wudu well and says it, to enter through any gate he wishes. (Muslim)

When is Wudu required?

Wudu is required before Salah, Tawaf and, according to many scholars, touching the Quran.

Which acts of worship require Wudu?

1. Salah (prayer): all obligatory and voluntary prayers.
2. Tawaf: walking around the Kaaba during Hajj or Umrah.
3. Touching the Quran: according to many scholars.

When is Wudu recommended but not required?

1. Before going to sleep.
2. Before reading the Quran without touching it.
3. Before making dua (supplication).
4. After carrying a deceased person.
5. After telling lies, backbiting or using bad language.
6. Before Ghusl (full-body ritual bath).
7. Before eating, for someone in a state of major impurity.

What breaks Wudu?

Wudu breaks when something leaves the private parts, when a person loses consciousness, or in other cases according to many scholars.

What actions invalidate Wudu?

1. Anything that comes out of the private parts:
   • Urine.
   • Stool.
   • Passing gas.
   • Discharge of prostatic fluid (madhy) or wady.
2. Loss of consciousness:
   • Deep sleep, where one is unaware of the surroundings.
   • Fainting.
   • Intoxication.
   • Insanity.
3. According to many scholars:
   • Touching the private parts directly without a barrier.
   • Vomiting in large amounts.
   • Bleeding or pus flowing from the body.

What does not break Wudu?

1. Touching a person of the opposite gender: according to some scholars.
2. Bleeding from a small cut: Wudu remains valid.
3. Vomiting a small amount: Wudu remains valid.
4. Doubt: if you are sure you had Wudu, doubt that it broke does not break it.
5. Washing a dead body: it does not break Wudu, according to some scholars.
6. Eating camel meat: some scholars say it does break Wudu.
7. Eating cooked food: food touched by fire does not break Wudu.
8. Laughing during prayer: it invalidates the prayer but not the Wudu, according to most scholars.

What special situations are related to Wudu?

Special rules apply to people with medical conditions, people with bandages and situations where water is limited.

How do people with medical conditions perform Wudu?

This applies to conditions that cause frequent breaking of Wudu, such as urinary incontinence.

• Once per prayer time: perform Wudu once for each prayer time.
• Still valid: the Wudu stays valid for that prayer time even if the condition breaks it repeatedly.
• Reduce the effects: try to limit the effects of the condition as much as possible.

How is Wudu done with a bandage or cast?

• Wipe, do not wash: wipe over the bandage, cast or dressing with wet hands.
• Duration: the wiping is valid until the bandage is removed.

What should a person do when water is limited?

• Use little: use the minimum amount of water needed.
• Drinking first: give priority to drinking if there is danger of thirst.
• Tayammum: if water is not enough for complete Wudu, use what is available, then perform Tayammum (dry ablution).

What are the benefits of Wudu?

Wudu has physical, spiritual and social benefits.

Physical benefits

• Cleanliness: keeps the body clean and reduces germs.
• Freshness: refreshes the body, especially in hot weather.
• Foot care: regular washing of the feet helps prevent foot problems.

Spiritual benefits

• Readiness: prepares the mind and spirit for prayer.
• Forgiveness: removes minor sins.
• God-consciousness: increases awareness of Allah.
• Mindfulness: creates a quiet moment before worship.
• Discipline: teaches obedience to Allah’s commands.

Social benefits

• Hygiene: promotes personal hygiene in society.
• Equality: everyone performs the same purification.
• Daily habit: teaches the value of cleanliness in daily life.

What are the common mistakes in Wudu?

The common mistakes in Wudu are wasting water, missing parts, leaving barriers on and wrongly wiping parts that must be washed.

1. Wasting water: using too much water goes against the Sunnah.
2. Missing parts: not washing all required areas properly.
3. Not removing barriers: leaving on nail polish or tight rings.
4. Wiping instead of washing: the face, arms and feet must be washed. Only the head and ears are wiped.
5. Leaving out the elbows and ankles: both must be washed too.
6. Leaving impurities on the body: remove them from the body first.

Evaluation

1. What is Al-Wudu and why is it important in Islam?
2. List the steps of performing Wudu in the correct order.
3. Name three things that break Wudu.
4. What should a person say after completing Wudu?
5. Explain how someone with a medical condition that causes frequent breaking of Wudu should perform their purification.

Assignment

In your exercise book, write the three conditions the water for Wudu must meet, name three acts of worship that require Wudu, and state two physical and two spiritual benefits of Wudu.