12-1. Ablution.

Updated. 

3 August 2021 (1442 AH).    

 

INDEX:  

1. The Muslim washing rituals.

     a. Ritual washing ablution wudu summary.

     b. Ablution Wudu in more detail.

     c. When should ritual washing ablution wudu be repeated?

     d. Full body washing Ghusl.

     e. Dry Ablution Tayammum summary.

 

2. The Jewish washing rituals.

     a. Jewish ablution. Jewish wudu. 

 

Ablution.

Partial ablution.

Partial ritual washing.

Wet partial ablution.

Wudu. 

Wudhu. 

Wudoo. 

Wuzu. 

Weeso. 

وضوء

Dəstəmaz. 

অযু

Абдест. 

Abdest. 

Wuḍūʾ. 

Abdesto. 

Vozuo. 

وضو

વુઝૂ

우두 (의식)

Wudu'. 

וודוא

Destnimêj. 

Иссаву

വുദു

Wuduk. 

Woedoe. 

ウドゥ

Вуду (омовение). 

Abdesi. 

Абдест. 

Abdas. 

 

Full ablution.

Full ritual washing.

Wet full ablution.

Ghusl. 

غسل (إسلام)

Qüsl. 

গোসল

Ғөсөл. 

Gusul. 

Ghusl. 

Ghusul.

Qubeys. 

Qubays. 

غسل

Les grandes ablutions. 

ग़ुस्ल

Щаллуну иссаву. 

Ghoesl. 

Gʻusl. 

Ghusli.

Гусль. 

Госел. 

Boy abdesti. 

 

Partial ablution.

Partial ritual washing.

Dry Ablution.

Tayammum. 

تيمم

Таяммум. 

Təyəmmüm. 

তায়াম্মুম

തയമ്മും

Tajammum. 

Tayamum. 

Teyemmüm. 

Booreysi. 

Booraysi. 

Boreeysi. 

Booreeysi. 

Gogobaysi.

Gogobeysi. 

 

1. The Muslim washing rituals.

 

a. Ritual washing ablution wudu summary.

Wudu is partial wet ablution.

Ritual ablution wudu washing with water is done before prayer.

 

Quran 5:6 Koran 5:6 All you who have faith (in Allaah), when you go for prayer (Salat), wash your face and your hands up to the elbows and wipe your heads (with wet hands) and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. If you are unclean (for example from sexual discharge) then clean yourselves (by bathing your whole body). If you are ill or (travelling) on a journey or one of you come from the toilet or you have had (sexual) contact with women and you cannot find water, then go to clean high ground and rub your face and your hands with some of it (the clean soil). Allaah would not wish to place a burden on you but He (Allaah) wishes to clean you (of your sins) and to complete His (Allaah’s) favour to you so that you may be grateful (by giving thanks to Allaah). 

 

1. Wash the hands (sunnah).

2. Wash the mouth and nose (sunnah).

3. Wash the face (Quran 5:6).

4. Wash the arms to the elbows (Quran 5:6).

5. Wipe the head (Quran 5:6).

6. Wipe ears and behind the ear (sunnah).

7. Wash the feet to the ankles (Quran 5:6). 

 

Video 1. How to perform Wudu Ablution - Dr Zakir Naik.

The wiping of the neck is not sunnah as explained here.

Never be harsh, never be angry, never be aggressive with your brother and sister Muslims over small details like this one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1vbhD8kdb8 

 

Video 2. My Prayer - Step by Step Guide to Salah - Teach Me How to Worship Allaah (For Men and Women). 

This 34 minute video contains 4 minutes about Ablution wudu starting at 12 minutes and ending at 16 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKblG-Zoagk&feature=youtu.be 

 

Video 3. Common Mistakes in Wudu (Ablution) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Br6vbBuWUpg 

 

b. Ablution Wudu in more detail. 

Wudu is partial wet ablution. 

Ritual ablution wudu washing with water is done before prayer. 

Details in the videos above are summarised here. 

These steps must be done in the correct order. 

 

1. Have the intention of purifying yourself before starting ritual washing ablution wudu before prayer salah. 

The intention to purify yourself is not said verbally but said in your heart meaning in your mind. 

 

2. Say Bismillaah meaning in the name of Allaah, said once at the start of an undertaking. 

 

3. Wash both hands three times. 

Wash the right hand from the wrist to the finger tips and between the fingers three times then do the same to the left hand. 

 

4. Rinse your mouth with water three times. 

With your right hand put a handful of water into your mouth. 

Swirl the water inside your mouth to clean the mouth and then expel the water. 

Do that three times. 

 

5. Rinse your nose with water three times. 

Put some water into your nose using your right hand. 

Blow the water out of your nose and use two fingers on your left hand to squeeze water out of your nose. 

Do that three times. 

 

6. Wash the face and the beard (if you have a beard) three times. 

Use both hands to wash the face and the beard if you have a beard. 

The face is from the top of the hair line to the jaw bone chin and from the right ear to the left ear. 

Wash a thin beard inside and outside. 

Wash a thick beard on the surface of the beard and run your wet fingers through the thick beard. 

 

7. Wash the arms to the elbow three times. 

Wash the right arm first then wash the left arm. 

Start washing from the finger tips to the lower part of the elbow. 

 

8. Wash the head once. 

Move two wet hands from the front of the hairline to the back of the hairline and then back to the front of the hairline all in one action. 

 

9. Use both hands, the right hand for the right ear and the left hand for the left ear to wipe the inside of your ears with the wet index finger once and then wipe the back of your ears with the wet thumb once. 

 

10. Wash both feet up to the ankles three times. 

On the right foot use the small finger to wash between the toes then wash the right foot including the sole of the foot and the heel of the foot up to the ankle. 

Do the same to the left foot. 

 

11. At the end recite "Ash-Hadu An Laa ill(aaha) ill-Allaah, wa Ash-Hadu Anna Muhammadan Ab(duhu) wa-rasooluh."

Meaning I testify there is no deity but Allaah, and I testify that Muhammad is his servant and messenger. 

Or recite: 

"Ash-Hadu An Laa ill(aaha) ill-Allaah, Wah(dahu) La Sharika Lah, Wa-Ash-Hadu Anna Muhammadan Ab(duhu) wa-rasooluh."

Meaning "I testify there is no deity but Allaah, who is without partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger." 

 

Wudu for women. 

Women are not required to wipe the entire length of their hair. 

Females may keep their hijab on and wipe over it if they can be seen by males that are not related to them.  

 

c. When should ritual washing ablution wudu be repeated? 

Wudu is partial wet ablution. 

Ritual ablution wudu washing with water is done before prayer. 

Ablution is valid for one day however ablution becomes invalid and must be done again after: 

1. Using the toilet. 

2. Passing urine, stool, wind, full mouth vomiting, bleeding. 

3. Deep sleep, unconsciousness or intoxication. 

4. Touching the private parts of the body without a barrier such as clothing. 

5. Intimate contact between husband and wife. 

 

When is wudu not cancelled?

1. Forgetting if your ablution wudu is valid does not cancel your ablution wudu until you are certain.

2. Touching or kissing your wife or relation does not cancel wudu.

3. Bleeding a small or a large among does not cancel wudu.

4. Vomiting a small or a large among does not cancel wudu.

5. Talking or laughing during or after wudu does not cancel wudu.

 

d. Full body washing Ghusl. 

Ghusl is full ablution. 

Full ritual ablution ghusl washing with water is done before prayer when there is sexual intercourse, orgasmic discharge (semen), completion of the menstrual cycle, giving birth, and death by natural causes

 

Quran 4:43 Koran 4:43 All you who believe, do not go to prayers when you are drunk (from alcoholic drink) until you know (the meaning) of what you are saying, nor after sexual orgasm until you wash your whole body unless you are travelling on the road. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the toilet or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) and you find no water then use clean earth and rub it on your faces and hands. Allaah is always ready to pardon and always ready to forgive. 

 

Ghusl is done in complete privacy.

1. Have the intention of purifying yourself before starting full body washing ghusl before prayer salah.

The intention to purify yourself is not said verbally but said in your heart meaning in your mind.

 

2. Say Bismillaah meaning in the name of Allaah, said once at the start of an undertaking.

 

3. Wash both hands three times.

Wash the right hand from the wrist to the finger tips and between the fingers three times then do the same to the left hand.

 

4. Wash genitals until clean.

Pour water (taken from a well or a pond) with the right hand (the right hand is used when eating) on to the left hand (the left hand is used when cleaning yourself in the toilet) and wash the private parts of the body with the left hand.

The separation of tasks for the right and the left hand avoids contaminating the water supply in wells and ponds and maintains hygiene when eating with the fingers.

 

5. Ablution wudu.

Do wudu as is done before pray.

 

6. Wash head three times.

Pour water over the head three times.

Run wet fingers through the roots of the hair until wet then pour water over the head three times so that all the body is wet including the back of the knees. 

 

7. Wash the body.

Pour water over both shoulders three times. 

First pour water on the right shoulder three times.

then pour water on the left shoulder three times.

Wipe the body with your hand while water is pouring so there is no dry area.

 

8. Move to a clean area if feet were not cleaned in step 5.

On the right foot use the small finger to wash between the toes then wash the right foot including the sole of the foot and the heel of the foot up to the ankle.

Do the same to the left foot.

 

9. At the end recite "Ash-Hadu An Laa ill(aaha) ill-Allaah, wa Ash-Hadu Anna Muhammadan Ab(duhu) wa-rasooluh."

Meaning I testify there is no deity but Allaah, and I testify that Muhammad is his servant and messenger. 

Or recite: 

"Ash-Hadu An Laa ill(aaha) ill-Allaah, Wah(dahu) La Sharika Lah, Wa-Ash-Hadu Anna Muhammadan Ab(duhu) wa-rasooluh."

Meaning "I testify there is no deity but Allaah, who is without partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger." 

 

If you remember not cleaning part of the body or rinsing the mouth and nose then that can be done without repeating everything you did. 

 

Video 1. How to do Ghusl : Ritual bath In Islam 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PEgUbg9YuCA

 

Video 2. How to perform Ghusl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5330r3e2A5M

 

Video 3. How to perform Ghusl (Full body Bath)? by Assim Al Hakeem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm4Ru0IFoHQ

 

Video 4. The quickest way to perform ghusl

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xb9Ev7eqHM0 

 

e. Dry Ablution Tayammum summary. 

Tayammum is dry partial ablution. 

Ritual dry partial ablution Tayammum washing with sand, dust or clay is done before prayer.

When there is no water, or water supply is only available for drinking or water is harmful such as for a person with bandages or skin disease or a person has a disability or in cold weather when water might result in hypothermia then do dry ablution using clean sand, dust or clay.

 

Quran 4:43 Koran 4:43 All you who believe, do not go to prayers when you are drunk (from alcoholic drink) until you know (the meaning) of what you are saying, nor after sexual orgasm until you wash your whole body unless you are travelling on the road. And if you are ill or on a journey or one of you comes from the toilet or you have been in contact with women (by sexual relations) and you find no water then use clean earth and rub it on your faces and hands. Allaah is always ready to pardon and always ready to forgive. 

 

Quran 5:6 Koran 5:6 All you who have faith (in Allaah), when you go for prayer (Salat), wash your face and your hands up to the elbows and wipe your heads (with wet hands) and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. If you are unclean (for example from sexual discharge) then clean yourselves (by bathing your whole body). If you are ill or (travelling) on a journey or one of you come from the toilet or you have had (sexual) contact with women and you cannot find water, then go to clean high ground and rub your face and your hands with some of it (the clean soil). Allaah would not wish to place a burden on you but He (Allaah) wishes to clean you (of your sins) and to complete His (Allaah’s) favour to you so that you may be grateful (by giving thanks to Allaah). 

 

Video 1. Ablution and Tayammum

شرح للوضوء والتيمم

This 6 minute video contains 1 minute about Dry Ablution Tayammum starting at 5 minutes and ending at 6 minutes. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO03V0HHaGY

 

Video 2. How to perform Tayammum (with sources from Quran, Hadith and Books of Fiqh) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o5CnQT8EMI

 

Video 3. History behind Tayammum (dry ablution) in Islam - Mufti Menk.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2vbh46 

 

Details in the videos above are summarised here. 

These steps must be done in the correct order. 

1. Have the intention of purifying yourself before starting dry ablution Tayammum before prayer salah. 

The intention to purify yourself is not said verbally but said in your heart meaning in your mind. 

 

2. Say Bismillaah meaning in the name of Allaah, said once at the start of an undertaking. 

 

3. Wipe your face once. 

Place both palms of the hands with fingers open on sand or dust or clay and then remove excess dust from your hands. Then wipe the palm of the hands on your face from the top of the hair line down to the eyebrows. The face is not touched as the hand drops below the eyebrows. 

 

4. Wipe the top of the right hand and then the top of the left hand. 

With the palm of the left hand wipe the top of the right hand from the wrist to the finger tips and then with the palm of the right hand wipe the top of the left hand from the wrist to the finger tips. 

 

5. At the end recite "Ash-Hadu An Laa ill(aaha) ill-Allaah, wa Ash-Hadu Anna Muhammadan Ab(duhu) wa-rasooluh."

Meaning I testify there is no deity but Allaah, and I testify that Muhammad is his servant and messenger. 

Or recite: 

"Ash-Hadu An Laa ill(aaha) ill-Allaah, Wah(dahu) La Sharika Lah, Wa-Ash-Hadu Anna Muhammadan Ab(duhu) wa-rasooluh."

Meaning "I testify there is no deity but Allaah, who is without partner, and I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger." 


2. The Jewish washing rituals.

a. Jewish ablution. Jewish wudu. 

Ritual washing in Judaism.

Full body immersion in a mikveh is called Tevilah (טְבִילָה).

Washing of the hands with a cup is called netilat yadayim.

Torah Exodus 30:19 And Prophet Aaron Harun and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet ...."

 

Video 1: Washing before prayer in Judaism. 

Discussion about why the hands and the feet are washed in Judaism. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkZLADqMYb4

 

 

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