What Every Muslim Must Know about Purification

All praises are due to Allâh, and may Allâh’s Mercy and Safety be upon our Prophet Muhammad, his family and Companions.

Purity (Tahârah) is a beautiful word that is pleasing to the ears, and it is a quality which everyone strives to maintain. From an Islamic perspective, purity is a word which is general in its meaning.
It may mean physical cleanness, which is purity (of the body) from impure substances or states of impurity, or it may mean spiritual purity, which is the purity of one’s self from vices, faults, sins, and replacing them with good deeds, whether in speech or deeds. This comprehensive meaning of purity is indicated in the words of Prophet Muhammad, (1) as reported by Abu Hurairah,
: (2) :

“What do you think? If there was a river at the door of one of you in which he bathes five times a day, would there be any filth left on him?” They answered, “There would be no filth left.” The Prophet said, “That is like the five Prayers, through them Allâh wipes away sins.” (al-Bukhâri)

Also, the Prayer (Salât) is not accepted except if one is in a state of purity. This state if purity is achieved either through performing ablution (wudoo´), as in the case of minor impurity, or a bath
(ghusl), as in the case of major impurity. The Prophet said:

“No Prayer is accepted without purification, and no charity is accepted from earnings made from impermissible sources.” (Muslim)

If a Muslim purifies himself in accordance with Allâh’s commandmentsand the Prophet’s instructions, his Prayer will be a means for him to purify himself of sins. Islam is a religion of both outward and inward purity. Allâh’s Messenger severely warned those who neglect physical purity which is a prerequisite for the validity of certain acts of worship, like Prayer, circumambulation (Tawâf) of the Ka’bah, touching or holding the Qur`ân, and its likes. Ibn ‘Abbâs :radiyallahunanh: said: “The Messenger of Allâh passed by two graves and said:

“Indeed they are being punished, but for something which seemed trivial to them: this one used not to guard himself from urine; whereas the other was used to tale bearing.”

He requested a green leaf of a palm branch, split it into two halves, and put a half on each grave. He then said,

“Hopefully their punishment will be lightened until they (the branches) become dry.” (al-Bukhâri)

The Messenger used to recite the following supplication which indicates his love of purification:






The teachings of Islam encourage and command cleanliness. Jâbir narrated:

“Once the Messenger of Allâh came to us and saw a man with shaggy hair. He said, ‘Couldn’t he find something to tidy his hair up?’ Then he saw another man with dirty clothes and said, ‘Couldn’t this man find anything with which to clean his dress?’ ” (Ahmad)


Purity in the Islamic perspective is a comprehensive term, and what demonstrates this fact is that the word tahârah is mentioned in the Qur`ân in many occasions, but with various connotations:

1. Purity from sins. Allâh says in this regard:

“Take alms from their wealth in order to purify them and sanctify them with it.” [Surah at-Tawbah(9)]

Ibn ‘Abbâs : said:

“The Prophet prescribed Zakaat-ul-Fitr(3) as a purification of the fasting person from empty and obscene talk and as food for the poor. Whoever pays it before the ‘Eid Prayer, it will be accepted as Zakaat, but if anyone pays it after the Prayer, it will be counted only as charity (Sadaqah) like any other charity.” (Abu Dâwud)

2. Purity from idols. Allâh says in this regard:
“…purify My House (the Ka’bah at Makkah) for those who are circumambulating it, or staying (I’tikâf), or bowing or prostrating themselves (there, in prayer).” [Surah al-Baqarah (2)]

3. Purity in the sense of glorification and veneration:

“Those who disbelieve from among the people of the Scripture (Jews and Christians) and among the
mushrikun, were not going to leave (their disbelief) until there came to them clear evidence. * A
Messenger (Muhammad ) from Allah, reciting (the Qur`ân) purified pages.” [Surah al-Bayyinah (98)-2]

4. Purity also means what is lawful:

“Their garments will be of fine green silk, and gold embroidery. They will be adorned with bracelets of
silver, and their Lord will give them a pure drink.” [Surah al-Insân(76)]

5. Purity of the heart from things which cause suspicion:

“And when you ask (the Prophet’s:saws: wives) for anything you want, ask them from behind a screen, that is purer for your hearts and for their hearts.” [Surah al-Ahzâb (33)]

6. Purity from illicit sexual relations:

“And (remember) when the angels said: “O Maryam (Mary)! Verily, Allah has chosen you, purified you, and chosen you above the women of the ‘Âlameen (mankind and jinns) (of her lifetime).” [Surah Âli-‘Imrân: (3)43]

7. Purity which means elevation of status:

“And stay in your houses, and do not display yourselves like that of the times of ignorance, and establish the prayer (Salât), and give Zakât and obey Allâh and His Messenger. Allâh wishes only to remove Rijs (evil deeds and sins, etc.) from you, O members of the family (of the Prophet), and to purify you with a thorough purification.” [Surah al-Ahzâb (33)]

8. Purity from abominable things and filth:

“And as for those who believe and do good works, We shall make them enter Gardens underneath which rivers flow, they will abide therein for ever; there for them are purified mates (wives), and We shall admit them to shades wide and ever deepening.” [Surah an-Nisâ´ (4)]

9. Purity from states of impurity:

“O you who believe! When you rise up for Prayer, wash your faces, and your hands up to the elbows, and wipe your heads (with wet hands), and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. And if you are in a state of major ritual impurity (janâbah),(4) purify yourselves (by taking a bath). And if you are sick or on a journey, or one of you comes from the answering of call of nature, or you have had contact (sexual intercourse) with women, and you find no water, then go to clean earth and wipe your faces and hands with it. Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you and to perfect His grace upon you that you may give thanks.” [Surah al-Mâ`idah (5)]


(1) This symbol means: “May Allah have mercy upon Him keep him safe from all harm..”

(2) This symbol means: “May Allah be pleased with him.”

(3) Zakaat-ul-Fitr: A charity given at the end of Ramadaan in the form of food, obligatory upon every Muslim.

(4) Janâbah: a state of major impurity which results from sexual discharge, or sexual intercourse with or without discharge. A person in a state of janâbah is said to be junub.

􀂊 Purification is equal to half of the faith: The Prophet of Allâh said in this regard:

“Cleanliness is equal to half the faith, and saying: ‘Praise be to Allâh (i.e. Al-hamdu-lillâh)’ fills the scale of good deeds [on the Day of Judgment]. The utterance of ‘Subhân-Allâh’ (Glorified is Allâh!) and ‘Al hamdu-lillâh’ (Praise be to Allâh!) fill the space between the heavens and the earth (with blessings). The Salât (Prayer) is a guide [to goodness], giving charity is a proof (of one’s faith), patience is light [through which he continues to be guided], and the Qur`ân is a plea, either in your favor or against you [as the case may be]. Everyone begins his morning striving with his soul, either he sells it [to Allâh by obeying Him] and frees it [from the Fire], or destroys it [by selling it to the Shaytaan or his desires by obeying them].”(Muslim)
􀂊 Purification is one of the ways one can please Allâh and earn His love. Allâh said:

“Indeed Allâh loves those who continually seek repentance and those who purify themselves.” [Surah al-Baqarah (2):222]

Abu Hurairah : reported the Prophet as saying:

“The following verse was revealed concerning the people of Qibâ´:‘Wherein are men who love to purify themselves. And Allâh loves those who purify themselves.’ [Surah at-Tawbah (9):108]

They used to cleanse themselves with water (after answering the call of nature), so this verse was revealed in their regards.”(at-Tirmidhi)
􀂊 To preserve and guard purification, [by always striving to be in a state of purity by performing ablution,] is one of the qualities of believers, for it is a type of worship seen only by Allâh. The Prophet said:

“Always be upright, though you will not be able to perfectly, and know that the Prayer is the best of your deeds. Only a believer guards and preserves his wudoo´ (ablution).” (Ibn Maajah)
􀂊 Maintaining purification is an act that leads to acceptance of supplication. ‘Amr bin ‘Abasah : narrated that the Prophet said,

“No Muslim who sleeps in a state of purification (having performed ablution) and then after awakening during night, mentions Allâh and asks Him anything of the good of this life and the Hereafter, except that Allâh gives him what he asked for.” (Ahmad)
􀂊 Purification elevates one’s rank and status. Abu Hurairah : narrated that the Prophet said to Bilâl at the time of the Fajr (Dawn) Prayer:

“O Bilâl, Tell me the most promising deed you have done in Islâm, for I heard the sound of your footsteps in Paradise.” Bilâl answered: “I haven’t done an act more hopeful to me than this: I have never performed ablution during the day or night except that [after it] I performed what I could of voluntary Prayers.” (al-Bukhâri)
􀂊 Purification is a remittance of one’s sins. The Prophet said:

“If any Muslim performs the ablution, humility and bowing excellently at the time of a prescribed Prayer, it will be an expiation for all his past [lesser] sins, as long as he has not committed a major sin, and this applies to all times.” (Muslim)
􀂊 Purification is an act by which Allâh forgives sins and elevates ranks. The Prophet said:

“Shall I tell you something by which Allâh wipes away sins and elevates a person’s rank?” They replied: “Yes, O Messenger of Allâh.” He said, “Performing wudoo´ thoroughly despite difficulites(5), much walking(6) towards the masjid, and waiting for the next Prayer after observing one. That is (like) ribaat (guarding in the night in the cause of Allâh).” (Muslim)

Also, the Messenger of Allah said:

“When a slave performs wudoo´ and rinses his mouth, the [lesser] sins [of his mouth(7)] will be removed from his mouth; when he rinses his nose, the sins [of his nose] will be removed from his nose; when he washes his face, the sins [of his face] will be removed from his face, even underneath
his eyelids; when he washes his hands, the sins [of his hands] will be removed from his hands, even underneath his nails; when he wipes his head [and ears], the sins [of his head] will be removed from his head, even from his ears; and when he washes his feet, the sins [of his feet] will be removed from his feet, even underneath his toe nails. Then his walking towards the masjid and his prayer will remove more sins.” (Mustadrak al-Hâkim)
􀂊 Purification is one of the qualities of the true nature (fitrah)(8) of humans. The Prophet said:

“Ten acts are from the true nature, namely: clipping the moustache, leaving the beard to grow, brushing the teeth, rinsing the nose with water, clipping the nails, washing all the finger joints, removing the hair of the armpits, shaving the pubic hair, and cleaning the private parts with water (after call of nature) Mus‘ab [the narrator] said: “I have forgotten the tenth, but it may have been rinsing the mouth.” (Muslim)
􀂊 Also from the qualities of ablution is what has been narrated in a hadeeth of Abu Hurairah : , that Allâh’s Messenger once visited a graveyard and said:

“Peace be upon you, the abode of the believing people, and soon we as well, if Allâh so wills, are about to join you. I love to see my brothers.” They (his Companion) said: “Aren’t we your brothers, O Messenger of Allâh?” He said: “You are my Companions; our brothers are those who have not yet come into the world.” They said: “O Messenger of Allâh, how would you recognize those persons of your Ummah (nation) [on the Day of Judgment] who have not yet been born?” He replied: “Suppose a man had horses with white blazes on their foreheads and legs among other horses which were all black. Tell me, would he not recognize his own horses?” They said: “Certainly, O Messenger of Allâh.” He said: “They [those who have not come yet] will come with white faces, arms and legs owing to ablution, and I will arrive at the Cistern(9) before them. Some people will be driven away from my Cistern as a stray camel is driven away. I will call out: ‘Come, come.’ Then it will be said (to me): ‘These people changed [the religion by innovating new things in it] after you,’ and I will say: ‘Be off, be off.’ ” (Muslim)
Maintaining purity and cleanliness is a major means of protection from infections. It is common knowledge that ‘prevention is better than cure’. In previous times, it was said, “A [penny] spent on
prevention is better than a [million] spent on the cure.” This book will deal only with purification from physical impurities. I pray to Allâh to make it solely for His Exalted Countenance and to make it something from which all derive benefit.

Abdur-Rahmân Al-Sheha


(5) Facing harship in performing wudoo', such as cold weather and water, etc.
(6) Whether due to walking a long distance, or walking to the masjid frequently.
(7) Those sins he commited with is mouth, such as lying, cursing, etc.
(8) Fitrah: the true nature in which Allâh created all humans.
(9) The Cistern, or ‘Hawd’ in Ara5 Facing harship in performing wudoo', such as cold weather and water, etc. bic: the reservoir from which the Prophet will give his followers drink whiter than milk on the Day of Judgment, after which they will never feel thirst again.

The outline of the book

Section 1: Wudoo

-Purification from Physical Impurities
*Istinjâ´ and Istijmâr
-What is Wudoo´
-Wudoo´ is a Prerequisite to the Following Acts
-A Description of a Complete Wudoo´
-Minimum Required Acts for a Valid Wudoo´
-Voluntary Acts of Wudoo´
-Things That Invalidate Wudoo´
*Things in which the Scholars have Differed in regards to its invalidation of Wudoo´
*In Cases of Doubt
-When Wudoo´ is Recommended
-Common Mistakes in Performing Wudoo´
-Some Verdicts Regarding Wudoo´

Section 2: Wiping over Leather Socks and their likes
-The Area which must be Wiped
-The Conditions for Wiping over Leather Socks
-Description of Wiping over Leather Socks
-The Time Limit
-Things that Invalidate Wiping
-Wiping over a Turban or Hijâb
-Wiping over Splints, Bandages, and their likes
-Some Verdicts regarding Wiping over Splints and Bandages


Section 3: Ghusl
-A Description of Complete Ghusl
-Minimum Required Acts for a Valid Ghusl
-Cases in which Ghusl is Recommended
-Things which are Forbidden for Those in a State of Janâbah
-Common Mistakes made in Performing Ghusl


Section 4: Tayammum
-Factors that Make Tayammum Permissible
-A Description of the Tayammum
-Things that Invalidate Tayammum
*Important Notes
-Some Verdicts regarding Tayammum

How to Purify a Sick Person

Purification from Physical Impurities

Wudoo´ (ablution) is a condition for the validity of the Prayer, whether it be an obligatory Prayer or optional one. The Prophet said:

“No Prayer is accepted without purification, and no charity is accepted from earnings made from impermissible sources.” (Muslim)

If one intends to perform wudoo´, it is obligatory that he always cleanse his private parts from excrement or urine after he has relieved himself, whether with water, with stones,(10) or with both. If
he prefers to use one of the two, water is better because it cleans more effectively and removes the impurity itself. Miqdaad reported in a hadeeth:

“He should wash his private part and make wudoo´.” (Muslim)

One must be sure to keep himself clean from all forms of impurities. A stern warning has been issued to those who do not keep themselves clean from urine. Ibn ‘Abbâs : said: “The Messenger of Allâh passed by two graves and said:

“Indeed they are being punished, but for something which seemed trivial to them: this one used not to guard himself of urine; whereas the other was used to tale bearing.” Then he requested a fresh green leaf of a palm branch, split it into two halves, and put a half on each grave. He then said, “Hopefully their punishment will be lightened until they (the branches) become dry.” (al-Bukhâri)

Istinjâ´ and Istijmâr

Istinjâ´ is to cleanse oneself from excrement, urine, and all other things which are excreted through the anus or urethra by the use of water.

Istijmâr is to cleanse oneself from excrement, urine, and all other things which are excreted through the anus or urethra by the use of stones or anything else which serves the same purpose, such as tissues, paper, and other similar things. At least three pure stones must be used to clean and remove the impurities on the private parts. The Prophet said:

“If one goes to answer the call of nature, let him take with him three stones for cleaning, and this will be sufficient.” (an-Nasâ`i)

One must use more than three stones [if there are still some impurities left] until he sees that all the impurities have been removed and he has cleansed the area. It is preferable to use an odd number of stones, due to the saying of the Prophet :

“If one of you uses stones to cleanse himself, then let him use an odd number.” (Muslim)

One must never use their right hand to clean their private parts, since this has been forbidden in a hadeeth narrated by Abd-ur-Rahmân ibn Zaid : who reported:

“It was said to Salmân, ‘Your Prophet has taught you everything, even how to defecate?’ He answered, ‘Yes Indeed. He forbade us from facing the Qiblah when defecating or urinating, from using the right hand for cleaning ourselves, from using less than three stones, and from cleaning ourselves with dung or bones.” (Muslim)



(10) It is allowed for a person to use other objects other than stones, like toilet paper, as will be explained later.

What is Wudoo´?

Wudoo´ is the purification of specific parts of the body - namely the face, the two hands, the head and the two feet- by the use of water. It is a condition for the validity of both obligatory and voluntary
prayers.

Wudoo´ is a Prerequisite to the Following Acts:

Any type of Prayer (Salât), whether obligatory or voluntary.

The Prophet said:

“No Prayer is accepted without purification, and no charity is accepted from earnings made from
impermissible sources.” (Muslim)

Tawâf (circumambulation) of the Ka’bah, as Prophet Muhammad said:

“Tawâf of the House (the Ka’bah) is a Prayer, except that Allâh has made speech permissible in it. So if one of you speaks in it, let him not speak anything except that which is good.” (Saheeh Ibn Hibbân)

Touching the Mushaf:(11) Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Amr said,

“The Prophet wrote a letter to the people of Yemen, and from the things it read was: ‘Nobody should touch the Qur`ân unless he is pure.’ ” (al-Baihaqi)



(11) Mushaf: The book which contains the written Qur`ân, for the Qur`ân is the actual recitation of Allâh’s Revealed Words

A Description of a Complete Wudoo´

The Intention (Niyyah). The niyyah is an action performed by the heart and has nothing to do with the tongue. It denotes the desire to do something. Thus, a person should intend to perform
wudoo´ in his heart and not with his tongue, for it has not been reported of the Prophet that he uttered his intention, neither in wudoo´, prayer, nor any other act of worship except for the Hajj. Allâh is the most knowledgeable of what a person harbors in his heart. The evidence that the niyyah is obligatory is the saying of the Messenger :

“All deeds depend on their intention, and each person will be rewarded according to what they intend. Whoever makes Hijrah (12) for Allâh and His Messenger, then his [reward will be that of one who made] Hijrah for Allâh and His Messenger. But whoever made Hijrah for some worldly reason, or a woman who he desired to marry, then [the reward of] his Hijrah is that thing for which he made Hijrah.” (al-Bukhâri)

Uttering “Bismillaah” (i.e. with the name of Allâh) before beginning the wudoo´, due to the hadeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah : , which states that the Prophet said:

“There is no wudoo´ for the one who does not mention the Name of Allâh.” (ad-Daarimi)

Washing the hands three times at the beginning of the wudoo´. Aws ibn Aws ath-Thaqafi : :

“I saw Allâh’s Messenger wash his hands three times when he performed wudoo´.” (Ahmad)

Rinsing the mouth and nose three times. The Sunnah(13) is to take the water into the mouth and then the nose with the right hand, and to blow out the water from the nose with the help of the left. In a hadeeth,

“After praying the Fajr prayer, ‘Ali : entered and sat in terrace, and then said to a young boy: ‘Bring me some water for wudoo´.’ The boy brought him a bowl of water and a basin. ‘Abd-ul-Khair said ‘We were sitting and watching him.’ He said: He held the vessel with his right hand and poured [water] into his left, and washed his hands up to the wrist. Then he [again] held the vessel with his right hand and poured [water] into his left, and washed his hands up to the wrist. He never put his hands inside the bowl until he washed both hands thrice. Then he put his right hand in the bowl and rinsed his mouth and nose three times, expelling the water from his nose with the help of his left hand. He washed his face thrice, his right hand to the elbow thrice, and then his left hand to the elbow thrice. He then put his right hand into the bowl until it was immersed in the water, took it out and wiped his left hand with whatever water was on it, then he wiped his head with both hands once. He poured water with his right hand over his right foot thrice, washing it with his left hand, and then poured water with his right hand over his left foot thrice, washing it with his left hand [as well]. Then he put his hand into the bowl, took some water up into his palm and drank it. He then said, ‘This is how the Prophet of Allah performed wudoo´. Whoever would like to see how he used to perform wudoo´, this is it.’ ” [Saheeh ibn Hibbân]

Washing the face three times by applying water to it. The face consists of the area starting from the forelock at the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin or beard, vertically, and from right earlobe to the left, horizontally. Allâh says:

“O you who believe! When you rise to offer the Prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe [by passing wet hands over] your heads, and [wash] your feet up to the ankles.”
[Surah al-Mâ`idah(5):6]

Washing the hands from the tips of fingers up to and including the elbow, beginning first with the right hand, then the left. If one happens to be wearing a ring or a watch, they must move it in order to allow the water to reach the skin underneath it. This is due to the saying of Allâh :

“O you who believe! When you rise to offer the Prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles.” [Surah al-Mâ`idah(5):6]

Also, in a hadeeth narrated by Na‘eem ibn Abdullah al-Mujmir, he said:

“I saw Abu Hurairah perform wudoo´. He washed his face, and did so perfectly. Then he washed his right hand until the beginning of his upper arm, then the left hand the same. He wiped his head and then washed his right foot until the beginning of his shin, then the left foot that the same. He then said: ‘This is how I saw the Messenger of Allâh perform wudoo´.’ He said, ‘You will have white blazes on your heads and whiteness on your arms and legs on the Day of Resurrection due to your performing wudoo´ perfectly. So Whoever is able, let him increase the brightness of his head, arms and legs.’ ” (Muslim)

Wiping the head once. This is done by wetting the hands and passing them over the head, beginning from front, proceeding to the back, then passing them back over the head to the front. Abdullah ibn Zaid : narrated:

“Allâh’s Messenger passed his two hands over his head starting from the front, proceeding to the back. He started from his forehead and passed them over to the top of his neck, and then passed them back to the place where he started from.” (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

Wiping the ears once. This is done by wiping inside the cavities of the two ears with his right and left index fingers, respectively, wiping behind them with his thumbs. Ibn ‘Abbâs : in
his description of the Prophet’s wudoo´, said:

“He wiped his head and ears once.” (Abu Dâwud)

In another narration, he said:

“He wiped his head and [then his] ears from the inside with the index fingers and from the outside with his thumbs. He washed them from the inside and out.” (Saheeh ibn Hibbân)

Washing the feet three times from the tips of the toes up to and including the ankles.

“Once the Prophet remained behind us in a journey. He caught up to us while we were performing wudoo´ for the prayer which was over-due. We were just passing wet hands over our feet (and not washing them properly), so he said to us in the loudest of his voice twice or thrice: ‘Woe to the heels [left unwashed] from the Hellfire.'" (Al-Bukhari)

Washing the parts of wudoo´ in the correct sequence: in that he should wash one part after another, in the order that Allah commanded. He should not wash one body part before another which it should come after, for Allâh mentioned the obligatory acts of wudoo´ in a specific sequence. Allâh said:

“O you who believe! When you rise up for Prayer, wash your faces, and hands up to the elbows, and wipe over your heads and [wash] your feet up to the ankles.” [Surah al-Mâ`idah (5):6]

One should make wudoo´ in succession, meaning that one should not delay washing one part of the body so long that the previous washed part becomes dry. In a hadeeth, the Prophet
saw a man praying, but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet. Upon this, the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudoo´ and Prayer.”(14) (Abu Dâwud)



(12) Hijrah: Emmigration.

(13) Sunnah: Here it means the method which was employed by the Prophet which is praiseworthy not obligatory.

(14) Note that he did not merely order him to wash his foot, but rather he ordered him to repeat the whole wudoo' as well as his Prayer.

Minimum Required Acts for a Valid Wudoo´

The following acts are of the wudoo´ are obligatory, and a person’s wudoo´ is incomplete without them:

One must make niyyah, but without uttering it, as preceded.
One must say, “Bismillaah,” before commencing the wudoo´.
One must rinse the mouth and then the nose once, both with the same handful of water.
One must wash his face once.
One must wash his hands up to and including the elbows.
One must wipe over his head and inside his ears with his wet hand once.
One must wash his feet up to the ankles once.
One must maintain the correct order in washing the parts, and he should do so in succession.

One should begin washing each part with the right, due to the saying of the Prophet :

“When you wear clothes and when you perform wudoo´, start with the right.” (Saheeh ibn Hibbân)


One should wash all the parts three times, except for the head, which should only be wiped once. This is known from a hadeeth which states:

“A bedouin came to Allâh’s Messenger and asked him about wudoo´, so the Prophet performed wudoo´ for him. He washed the his body parts three times each and said, ‘If anyone exceeds this, he has done wrong and oppressed,’ or, ‘trangressed and oppressed.’ ” (Ibn Khuzaimah)

One should clean his teeth using a siwaak.(15) The Prophet said:

“Were it not that I might over-burden my people, I would have made the siwaak obligatory upon them with every wudoo´, and I would have delayed the ‘Ishaa (night) prayer until the middle of the night.” (Ahmad)

One should run his fingers through his beard. Anas : narrated:

“When performing wudoo´, the Prophet would take a handful of water and place it inside [his beard], underneath his lower jaw, and then run his fingers through it. He then said, ‘Thus has my Lord commanded me.’ ” (Abu Dâwud)

One should rub water on the body parts when washing. Abdullah ibn Zaid : narrated:

“The Prophet was brought two thirds of a mudd(16) of water, and he performed ablution and rubbed his arms [while washing them].” (Saheeh ibn Hibbân)

One should perform a perfect wudoo´, by increasing the whiteness of the forehead and arms and legs [on the Day of Resurrection]. He may achieve this by exceeding the forelock on the top of the forehead when washing the face, and by washing the hands and feet including and above the elbows and ankles. The Prophet said:

“My people will be called to presence on the Day of Judgment with bright faces, arms and legs from the traces of wudoo´. Whoever is able, let him lengthen his brightness.”(al-Bukhâri)

One should run their fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes. Ibn ‘Abbâs : reported the Prophet as saying:

“When you perform wudoo´, run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes.” (Mustadrak al-Hâkim)

This includes moving one’s ring if he happens to be wearing one in order to ensure that water reaches beneath it, for usually it does not. It has been reported of the Prophet :

“When he performed wudoo´, he would move his ring.” (Ibn Mâjah)

One should exaggerate(17) in rinsing the nose, except those who are fasting. Laqeet ibn Sabirah’s : father said:

“O Messenger of Allâh, tell me about wudoo´. So he answered: Perform a perfect wudoo´, run your fingers between the fingers of your hands and your toes, and exaggerate in rinsing your nose, unless you are fasting.” (Saheeh ibn Khuzaimah)

One should avoid wasting water and try to use as little as possible. Abdullah ibn Mughaffal : heard his son say:

“O Allâh! I ask You to give me the white palace on the right side of Paradise.” He said to him: “My son! If you ask Allâh, then ask Him for Paradise and seek refuge in Him from the Hellfire, for indeed I heard Allâh’s Messenger say: ‘There will be people towards the Last Day who will transgress (go to extremes) in their supplication and purification.’ (Saheeh ibn Hibbân)

Our example in this regard is our Prophet . Abu Bakr : the companion of the Messenger of Allâh said:

“The Messenger of Allâh would bathe himself with a Saa’,(18) and perform wudoo´ with a mudd.” (Muslim)

One should supplicate to Allâh after it. ‘Umar : narrated that Allâh’s Messenger said:



One should perform a two rak‘ah(19) prayer after wudoo´, which is called the Sunnah Prayer of Wudoo´, due to the hadeeth narrated by ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Âmir : , that the Messenger of Allâh said:

“No Muslim performs a perfect wudoo´, then stands and prays two rak‘ah with dedication of mind and heart, except that Paradise will be turned to face him.” (Muslim)



(15) The Siwaak or Miswaak is a small twig which is used like a brush to clean the teeth. One may also use anything else that serves the same purpose.

(16) The amount which fits into the two hands held together.

(17) By inhaling water far up in to the nose.

(18) Saa’: An amount equal to four ‘mudd’.

(19) Rak‘ah: One cycle in a prayer, consisting of the standing, bowing, and two
prostrations.

Things That Invalidate Wudoo´

Anything which passes out the two passages(20), such as urine, feces [pus, or blood].

“But if you are ill or on a journey, or one of you comes from the place of relieving himself, or you have
contacted women [sexual intercourse] and do not find water, then seek clean earth.” [Surah al-Mâ`idah (5):6]

Passing gas (flatulence), due to the saying of the Prophet :

“The Prayer of any of those who do ‘hadath’ will not be accepted until he performs ablution.” A man from Hadramout asked Abu Hurairah : : “What is ‘hadath’, Abu Hurairah?” He said: “Passing wind.” (al-Bukhâri)

Pre-seminal (madhi) and prostatic (wadi) fluid. Preseminal fluid is that which is secreted from the pen-s upon physical or mental sexual stimulation. Prostatic fluid is that is what is secreted from the pen-s due to sickness. Ali : said:

“I was a man whose pre-seminal fluid flowed often. So I requested a man to ask Allâh’s Messenger about it in view of my relationship to his daughter. When he asked the Prophet he said: ‘Wash your pen-s(21) and perform ablution.” (al-Bukhâri)

False menstruation, which is blood which passes from the vagina other than menstruation [or post-postpartum bleeding]. Fâtimah bint abi Hubaish had false menstruation, so the Messenger
of Allah said,

“Indeed the blood of menstruation is dark and well known. If it is so, then refrain from Prayer, but if it is something else, perform wudoo´ and pray.” [Saheeh ibn Hibbân]

Deep sleep in which one loses all perception. Ali : reported Allâh’s Messenger as saying:

“The eye, when awake, prevents breaking wind.(22) Whoever sleeps then let him perform wudoo´.” (Abu Dâwud)

Also, in the hadeeth about wiping over leather socks, Safwân bin Assâl al-Murâdi said:

“Allâh’s Messenger would order us not to remove our leather socks while on a journey for three days and nights if we had urinated, defecated or slept, except in case of janâbah.” (Saheeh ibn Kuzaimah)

However, light sleep during which one can still perceive what is around him does not invalidate wudoo´. Anas : said:

“The Companions of the Messenger of Allâh would wait for the ‘Ishaa prayer until their heads would nodd [due to sleep], and then they would pray without repeating wudoo´.” (Abu Dâwud)

Eating camel meat. Jâbir ibn Samurah : narrated that a man asked the Prophet :

“Should I perform Wudoo´ after eating mutton?” He replied, “If you wish, perform ablution, otherwise, do not.” The man asked [again], “Should I perform ablution after eating camel meat?” He said, “Yes, perform ablution after eating camel meat.” He asked, “May I pray in the pens of sheep?” He answered, “Yes.” He asked, "May I pray in the place where camels rest?” He answered, “No.” (Muslim)

Losing one’s senses or consciousness, whether resulting from insanity, epilepsy, possession by the Jinn, fainting, medicine, or alcohol, for consciousness is a prerequisite for one to be held responsible about the obligations of the religion. ‘Â`ishah : reported that the Messenger of Allâh said:

“The pen has been lifted from three: a sleeping person until he awakens, a child until he reaches puberty, and an insane person until he returns to his senses.” (Saheeh ibn Hibbân)

Renouncing the religion of Islaam after having been Muslim. If one returns to Islaam after having said done, or believed something which took him out of its fold, he must perform wudoo´
again, due to the saying of Allaah :

“And whosoever disbelieves in the Oneness of Allah and in all the other Articles of Faith [i.e. His
(Allaah’s), Angels, His Holy Books, His Messengers, the Day of Resurrection and Al Qadar (Divine Preordainments)], then fruitless is his work.” [Surah al-Mâ`idah (5):5]

He also said:

“If you join others in worship with Allah, (then) surely (all) your deeds will be in vain.” [Surah az-Zumar(39):65]

Touching the sexual organs (i.e. the pen-s, vulva or anus) without there being a barrier (like clothes, etc). There is no difference between a male or a female, nor the young or the elderly. There are many narrations obligating wudoo´ after touching the private parts, and from them is that the Prophet said:

“If a man touches his pen-s, let him perform wudoo´, and if a woman touches her vulva, let her (also) perform wudoo´.” (Ahmad)

He also said:

“Whoever touches his private part, let him not perform the Prayer until he performs the wudoo´.” (Abu Dawood)

And also:

“Whoever touches his private part with his hand without there being a barrier present, wudoo´ has become obligatory on him.” (Saheeh ibn Hibbaan)



(20) The two passages: The urethra and anus in regards to males, and the urethra, vagina, and anus in regards to females.

(21) One must also wash his scrotum and testicle-.

(22) When a person is awake, he is aware if he has passed wind, contrary to when he is asleep.

Things in which the Scholars have Differed in regards to its invalidation of Wudoo´

What exits the body from passages other than the urethra and
anus, such as blood, vomit, and nosebleed.

Touching a woman with desire.

Vomiting.

Although there is a difference between the scholars, it is recommended that one should perform wudoo´ as a precaution.

In Cases of Doubt

If a person who had performed wudoo´ is in doubt whether he had done something to invalidate his wudoo´, his wudoo´ is not considered invalid until he becomes certain that he had done something to invalidate it. There is no difference whether one is praying or not praying. In a hadeeeth narrated by Abu Hurairah, : , the Prophet said:

“If a person feels something in his stomach, and he does not whether he passed gas or not, he should not leave the masjid until he hears a sound or finds an odor.” (Muslim)

What is meant by this hadeeth is [that he should not leave the prayer] until he is certain that he has passed gas. This is in regards to the one who is certain that he had performed wudoo´ but then has doubt in its validity. As for the one who is certain that he invalidated his wudoo´ but doubts whether he has purified himself after that, he must perform wudoo´ again.

When Wudoo´ is Recommended

Before going to sleep. Al-Barâ´ ibn ‘Âzib : narrated that the Prophet said:




If one is in a major state of impurity due to sexual intercourse (janâbah), and wishes to eat, drink, or sleep. ‘Ammâr ibn Yâsir said:

“The Messenger of Allâh gave the person in a state of janâbah the concession to perform wudoo´ like the one he would do for Prayer, if he wished to eat, drink or sleep.” (at-Tirmidhi)

Also, it is recommended to perform wudoo´ if one in a state of janâbah and wishes to have intercourse again, due to the saying of the Prophet :

“If one of you has intercourse with his wife and then intends to do so again, let him perform wudoo´ [before doing so].” (Muslim)

Upon performing the ritual bath (ghusl) for janâbah, menstruation, or postpartum bleeding. ‘Â`ishah : reported:

“When performing ghusl, the Messenger of Allâh would first wash his hands, then use his right hand to pour water over his left hand and wash his private parts, and then perform wudoo´ as one does for Prayer. He would then take water and put his fingers into the roots of his hair. When he deemed that the water had reached all of his scalp, he would pour three handfuls of water over his head, then pour water over the rest of his body, and [lastly] he would wash his feet.” (Muslim)

Renewing one’s wudoo´ before each Prayer. The Prophet said:

“Had it not been difficult upon people, I would have ordered them to perform wudoo´ for each Prayer, and to use siwaak with each wudoo´.” (al-Baihaqi)

Common Mistakes in Performing Wudoo´

Uttering the intention before performing wudoo´ with an audible voice. Ibn-ul-Qayyim said:
The Prophet would never say at the beginning of wudoo´, “I intend to free myself from this state if impurity,” or, “…make Prayer permissible.” Neither he nor any of his Companions did that at all; not even one word has been reported of him in this respect, whether through authentic or weak chains of narrators.

Sheikh-ul-Islâm ibn Taimiyyah said: One need not utter the niyyah before performing purification -
whether it be wudoo´, ghusl, or tayammum- Prayer, Zakaah, or expiations … [they] need not be uttered. This is something which is agreed upon by the Imâms of Islâm. It is agreed that intention is something which deals with the heart. If a person pronounces unintentionally something which is contrary to what he intended in his heart, what is taken into consideration is what he intended and not what he uttered. (Al-Fatâwâ al-Kubrâ, The Book of Purification, p.213)

Various supplications made while washing the body parts in wudoo´, such as saying: “O Allâh! Give me my Record [on the Day of Judgment] in my right hand,” upon washing one’s right hand, or, “Oh Allâh! Make my face bright on the day when faces grow bright,” upon washing one’s face. Ibn-ul Qayyim said:

Nothing has been proved to have been said by the Messenger of Allâh during Wudoo´ except ‘Bismillah’. Every hadeeth dealing with supplications attributed to him are actuality lies that have been fabricated upon him. The Messenger of Allâh never said or taught any of those supplications, nor have they been reported of him, except for saying ‘Bismillah’ at its beginning, and his saying at the end:


Another authentic supplication is one narrated by an-Nasâ`i:



Wiping the neck after wiping the head. Sheikh-ul-Islâm ibn Taimiyyah, may Allâh have mercy be upon him, said:

There is no proof that the Prophet wiped his neck in wudoo´; no authentic Hadeeth has been reported in this regard. Rather, the authentic traditions which describe the Prophet’s wudoo´ do not contain any indication that he wiped his neck. Therefore, the majority of Muslim scholars do not deem this act as recommended. Those who do recommend it rely on a tradition narrated by Abu Hurairah : or a weak hadeeth which states that he wiped his head until up to occiput(23), and this can neither be used as a proof, nor does it contradict what other traditions indicate. If a person does not wipe his neck, his wudoo´ is still valid, and all the scholars agree to this. (Al-Fatâwâ al-Kubrâ, The Book of Purification, p. 280)

Not washing the body parts completely.

“The Prophet saw a man praying, but a portion of his foot the size of a dirham was not wet. Upon this, the Prophet ordered him to repeat his wudoo´ and Prayer.” (Abu Dâwud)

Making wudoo´ when one is already in a state of purification without performing a Prayer between the two. Sheikh-ul-Islâm ibn Taimiyyah stated: The matter discussed by jurists was whether it is praiseworthy or not for a person who is already in a state of purification to renew his wudoo´ for Prayer. As for one who is already in a state of purification but has not performed Prayer, it is not
recommended for him to renew his wudoo´. Rather, this type of wudoo´ is considered an innovation which opposes the Sunnah of the Prophet and the practice of Muslims from the time of the Prophet until this day.

Washing the body parts in wudoo´ more than thrice. This opposes the Prophet’s instruction when he said:

“Whoever introduces in this religion something which is not from it will be rejected.” (al-Bukhâri)

Some people believe that if some impurities happen to soil their clothes while being in a state of purification, they must not only remove the filth, but that they also must repeat their wudoo´. This is incorrect. What is incumbent upon him is that he clean the impurity which has soiled his body or clothes. His wudoo´ is still considered valid for he did not do anything to invalidate it.

Some people in wudoo´ do not wash the whole surface of their face, especially the area near the ears. One must be sure to wash the whole face, paying special attention to the area between the beard and the ears.

Sometimes women who are already in a state of wudoo´ clean the private parts of babies with their bare hands without a barrier, and then proceed to pray. In actuality, their wudoo´ has been invalidated by touching the private parts of their babies.

Some women apply nail polish which prevents water from reaching the nails. Whoever performs wudoo´ while wearing nail polish, their wudoo´ as well as their Prayer is invalid. Such women must repeat their Prayer after performing a valid wudoo´. The same applies in any case in which there is something that prevents water from reaching any of the body parts which are required to be washed in wudoo´, unless their is a legislative reason for wearing it (i.e. bandage, cast, etc).

Some people think that they must wash their private parts in order to perform wudoo´, and this is incorrect. This is only required after one has have answered the call of nature (by urination or defecation). As for sleeping or passing wind, one may make perform wudoo´ without the need of washing the private parts.

Some people believe that touching the pen-s of an animal invalidates wudoo´. Sheikh-ul-Islâm ibn Taimiyyah, may Allâh have mercy upon him, said:

Touching the pen-s of an animal, living or dead, does not invalidate wudoo´, and this something agreed upon by the Imâms. (Al-Fatâwâ al-Kubrâ, The Book of Purification, p.280)



(23) The back, or posterior, part of the head or skull; the region of the occipital bone.

Some Verdicts Regarding Wudoo´

Q. If a person performs ablution and begins his Prayer, but then he feels as if a drop of urine leaked, is his Prayer invalidated?

A. Merely feeling something [based on doubt] does not invalidate Prayer. It is not allowed for him to discontinue his obligatory Prayer out of mere doubt, for the Prophet () was asked about a man who felt something during his Prayer. He answered:

“He should not discontinue his Prayer unless he hears a sound or smells an odor.” (al-Bukhâri)

However, if he is certain that urine actually passed out from his pen-s, his wudoo´ would become invalid, and he is required to make intinjâ´, unless he has incontinence (continual leakage) of
urine. In that case, his Prayer would still be valid, if he had done what is obligatory upon him. (Ibn Taimiyyah, Al-Fatâwâ al-Kubrâ, The Book of Purification, p.281)


Q. If a man kisses or hugs his wife and consequently passes preseminal fluid, is he required to repeat his wudoo´ ?

A. His wudoo´ becomes invalid, and he need not do anything other than wash his pen-s and testicle- and then perform wudoo´. (Al-Fatâwâ al-Kubrâ, The Book of Purification, p.294)


Q. If pus continually comes out from a man’s pen-s, is his Prayer still valid while he is in that state?

A. It is not permissible for him to discontinue his Prayer. Rather he should pray as is possible for him. If the flow of pus does not stop for a period of time which is enough for him to perform wudoo´ and pray, he should still perform his Prayer in that state but after performing wudoo´, even it continues to flow. However, he should use some protection that prevents the pus from spreading. (Al-Fatâwâ al-Kubrâ, The Book of Purification, p.310)


Q. Is it enough that one perform ghusl, or does he need to perform wudoo´ in it?

A. If it is obligatory upon someone to perform ghusl, it is recommended that he perform a complete wudoo´ first, and then perform the ghusl after it. He should take care though not to touch his private parts during the bath so that he does not invalidate his wudoo´. When he completes his bath, he is not required to repeat the wudoo´. But if he only performs the ghusl without wudoo´, observing the same sequence of the wudoo´, it is sufficient for him and he need not repeat wudoo´. (Sheikh ibn Jibreen Fatâwâ Islâmiyyah, v.1, p.206)

Wiping over Leather Socks and their likes(24)

The narrations which indicate the permissibility of wiping over leather socks are so many in number that they reach a level of mutawâtir.(25) The strongest from these evidences may be the
hadeeth of Humâm ibn Hârith, who said that he saw Jareer ibn Abdullah pass urine, perform wudoo´ and wipe over his leather socks, and then stand for prayer. When he was asked about this, he replied,

“I saw the Messenger of Allâh do the same.” (al- Bukhâri)

If one wears leather socks while in a state purity, it is more preferable to wipe over them when performing wudoo´ again than to take them off and wash the feet. Al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah : said:

“I was with Allâh’s Messenger on a journey we undertook at night. He asked me, ‘Do you have water?’ I replied in the affirmative, and so he descended from his mount and walked away until he dissappeared into the darkness of the night. When he returned, I poured water from a wash bowl for him, and he washed his face. He was wearing a woolen cloak from which he could not take out his hands, so he took them out from underneath the cloak, washed his hands and wiped his head. I reached out my hands to take off his leather socks, but he said: ‘Leave them, for I wore them while in a state of wudoo´,’ and the he wiped over them.” (Muslim)




(24) Some examples of other things which may be wiped over are boots, thick socks, etc.

(25 Mutawaatir: A hadeeth that has been narrated by so many chains of narration that it is impossible that it be incorrect.

The Area which must be Wiped

Wiping over leather socks is a concession which Allâh gave as facility to ease our burdens. The area which is required to be wiped is the upper surface of the leather socks, as the Prophet himself did. ‘Ali : said:

“Had the religion been based on personal opinion, then wiping over the bottom surface of the boots would have been more appropriate. I saw Allâh’s Messenger wipe over the top of his leather socks.” (Abu Dâwud)

The Conditions for Wiping over Leather Socks

1. Leather socks and their likes must be worn when one is in a state of purification [if he desires to wipe over them], due to the hadeeth of al-Mugheerah mentioned previously:

“I was with the Messenger of Allâh on a journey, and when I reached out my hands to take off his leather socks, but he said: ‘Leave them, for I wore them while in a state of wudoo´,’ and wiped over them.” (Muslim)

2. Leather socks and their likes must be free from any impurities. If they have any impurities on them, it is not permissible to wipe over them or pray in them until one removes the impurities first. Abu Sa‘eed al-Khudri : said,

“Allâh’s Messenger led us in Prayer [wearing sandals]. During Prayer, he removed his sandals and placed them to his left, and [seeing this,]everyone else did the same. When he finished his prayer, he said, ‘Why did you all remove your sandals?’ They replied, ‘We saw you remove them so we did the same!’ He said, ‘I did not take them off because there is something wrong with praying in them; rather, Jibreel informed me that there was impurity on them. So if one of you comes to the masjid, let him look to what is on his sandals, and if they have any impurities, then let him wipe it off.’ ” (Muslim)


3. One may only wipe over leather socks and the like when performing wudoo´, and not when performing ghusl. Safwân ibn ‘Assaal :radiyallahunah: said:

“Allâh’s Messenger would order us not to remove our leather socks while on a journey for three days and nights, if we had urinated, defecated or slept, except in case of janâbah.” (Saheeh ibn Kuzaimah)

4. One may only wipe over the leather socks within the legislated time limit, which is one day and night for residents and three days and nights for travelers. ‘Ali ibn Abi Tâlib :radiyallahunah: was asked about the time limit for wiping, and he replied: The Prophet legislated three days and nights for the traveler and one day and night for the resident. (Muslim)

5. The leather sock must cover the whole area of the foot which must normally be washed in wudoo´.

A Description of Wiping over Leather Socks

One may wipe over leather socks or the like, if he had worn them in a state of purification, instead of removing them and washing his feet. After wetting his hands, he should pass his right hand over his right foot, starting from the toes up to the [the beginning of the] leg, and then do the same with the left. He should do this only once, not more. Al-Mugheerah ibn Shu’bah : said:

“I saw the Messenger of Allâh leave to urinate, then returned and performed wudoo´. He wiped over his leather socks; he placed his right hand on his right sock and his left hand on his left sock, and then he wiped over the top of them once only. It is as if I am looking at the traces of his fingers on the socks now.”

The Time Limit

Three days and nights for a traveler, and one day and night for a resident. This is based on the hadeeth of ‘Ali bin Abi Tâlib :radiuiyallahuanh: mentioned earlier, that when he was asked about the time limit for making wudoo´, he replied:

The Prophet allowed three days and nights for the traveler and one day and night for the resident. (Muslim)

This time period starts from the first time one wipes in performing wudoo´ from a minor state of impurity, and this is the stronger view of the scholars. The period ends after the elapse of twenty-four hours for a resident, and seventy-two hours for a traveler.

Things that Invalidate Wiping

If one is in a state of janâbah, based on the aforementioned hadeeth of Safwân bin ‘Assâl : when he said,

“Allâh’s Messenger would order us not to remove our leather socks while on a journey for three days and nights, if we had urinated, defecated or slept, except in case of janâbah.” (Saheeh ibn Kuzaimah)

Expiry of the legislated time limit for wiping, one day and night for residents, and three days and nights for travelers, as stated in the tradition narrated by ‘Ali ibn Abi Tâlib : :

The Prophet legislatied three days and nights for a traveler, and one day and night for a resident. (Muslim)

Removing one or both the socks.

Wiping over a Turban or a Hijâb

It is permissible for a man to wipe over his turban, and for a woman to wipe over her hijaab (headscarf). ‘Amr bin Umayyah ad-Dumari : said:

“I saw the Messenger of Allaah wipe over his turban and his leather socks [with his wet hand].” (Muslim)

Bilaal : said:

“The Messenger of Allaah wiped over his leather socks and turban.” (Abu Dawud)

Wiping over Splints, Bandages, and the like

Splints, bandages, and other things which are wrapped over wounds should be wiped over with one’s wet hand. Jâbir : said:

“We set out on a journey, and one of us was wounded by a stone on his head. [When he slept,] he had a wet dream, and so he asked his companions, ‘Do you see any concession for me to perform tayammum?’ They replied: ‘We do not see any concession since you are able to use water.’ Upon that, he took bath and consequently died. When we came back to Allâh’s Messenger , he was informed of what took place. He said: ‘They killed him! May Allâh kill them! Why didn’t they ask if they didn’t know? Indeed the only cure for ignorance is to ask. It would have been enough for him to perform tayammum, or bandage his wound, wipe over the bandage and bathe the rest of his body.” (Abu Dâwud)

It is obligatory for the injured to wipe over his splint or bandage when performing wudoo´ or ghusl, and he is not to wash nor wipe the wounded part itself. The general principle is that if a person has a wound or a fracture and wants to perform wudoo´ or ghusl, it is obligatory for him to wash all the parts of wudoo´ or ghusl. But if he fears some harm in washing the damaged part, such as aggravating the wound, causing extra pain, or a delay in healing, he may then in that case wipe over the wound with his wet hand [instead of washing it]. If he fears that wiping as well will cause harm, he may then bandage the wound and wipe over the bandage [instead of the wound itself]. It is not a requirement that one perform ablution or ghusl prior to applying the splint or bandage. Also, he may wipe over that area for as long as it is legislated for him to wipe,(26) [and there is no specific time limit]. However, once it is no longer legislated, that area must be washed with water.




(26) What is legislated is that he may wipe over the bandage until he is able to wipe over the wound itself, and he may wipe over the wound itself until he is able to wash the recovered area fully.

Some Verdicts Regarding Wiping Over Splints and Bandages

Q. Are there conditions for wiping over splints? What if, for example, the bandage is larger than the wound?

A. One may not wipe over a splint except in cases of necessity, and one should take measures in proportion to the necessity. The area of the wound or pain is not the only area which is necessary
to cover when applying a splint or bandage, rather anything which is needed for fixing the splint or adhesive tape also comes under this ruling. (Ibn Uthaymeen, Fatâwâ al-Mas-h ‘alaa al- Khuffain, p.26)


Q. Do the same rulings apply to other dressing material, such as gauze, etc?

A. Yes, the same rulings apply. One must also note that wiping over splints and bandages is not the same as wiping over leather socks, so that it be limited to a certain time period. Rather, one may do so as long as it is needed. In addition to this, one may wipe over them when purifying oneself from both minor and major states of impurity. So if it is obligatory upon him to perform ghusl, he may wipe over the bandage as he may in wudoo´. (Fatâwâ al-Mas-h ‘alaa al-Khuffain, p.26)



Q. How should one wipe over a splint? Should one wipe all of it or only a part of it?

A. Yes, one should wipe over all of it. The general principle is that the same ruling applies to the substitute as that which applies to the thing which has been substituted, unless the Sunnah explains otherwise. Here, wiping is a substitute for washing; just as it is obligatory to wash the whole body part, it is obligatory to wipe over the whole splint. But as for wiping over leather socks, it is a concession, and the Sunnah explicitly states that it is sufficient to wipe over a part of them. (Fatâwâ al-Mas-h ‘alaa al- Khuffain, p.27)

Purification from Major States of Impurity (Ghusl)

Ghusl means to wash the whole body with water. It becomes obligatory after one of the following things:

Ejaculation of semen(27) owing to desire,(28) for example, coitus, masturbation, fantasizing, nocturnal emission, and other similar reasons. This is based on the saying of Allâh :

“If You are in a state of janâbah, purify yourselves.” [Surah al-Mâ`idah (5):6]

Also, ‘Ali bin Abi Tâlib said:

“I was a man whose pre-seminal fluid flowed often. So I asked Allâh’s Messenger about it, and he said: ‘If you see a water-like substance, then wash your pen-s and perform ablution, and if you see sperm, then perform ghusl.’ ” (Saheeh ibn Hibbân)

Sexual intercourse. If the glans (head) of the pen-s enters completely into the vulva, even if no ejaculation takes place, both spouses are required to perform ghusl. The Prophet said:

“If he (the husband) positions himself between her legs and arms and penetrates her, ghusl becomes obligatory, whether he ejaculates or not.” (Muslim)

Following menstruation or postpartum bleeding. Allâh says:

“They ask you concerning menstruation. Say: It is a harmful thing, so keep away from [intercourse with] women during mensus. And do not have intercourse with them till they are purified. And when they have purified themselves, then go unto them as Allâh enjoined upon you. Truly Allâh loves those who oftenturn unto Him, and loves those who purify themselves.” [Surah al-Baqarah (2):222]

‘Â`ishah : reported that Fâtimah bint Abi Hubaysh : asked the Messenger of Allâh :

“I experience vaginal bleeding [other than mensus] and it does not stop, should I leave the Prayer?” He replied, ‘No. That is just a vein. Leave the Prayer on those days in which you experienced menstruation, then perform ghusl and pray.’ ” (al-Bukhâri)

‘Â`ishah : reported that Asmâ´: asked the Messenger of Allâh about the ghusl after menstruation, and he replied:

“ ‘Let one of you take water [mixed with the leaves of] sidr (lote-tree) and perform a complete wudoo´. Then let her pour [the water] over her head and rub it vigorously,
until [the water] reaches the roots of her hair. Let her then pour water over [the rest] of her body. Afterwards, she should take a piece of cotton dabbed with musk and cleanse herself with it.’ Asmâ´ asked: ‘How should she cleanse herself with the help of that?’ Upon this he observed: ‘Glory be to Allâh! She should cleanse herself!’ ‘Â`ishah said [in a subdued tone], ‘She should apply it to the place from which she bled.’ She [Asmâ´] further asked about bathing after sexual intercourse, and he replied: ‘She should take water and perform a complete wudoo´, then let her pour [water] over her head and rub it vigorously, until [the water] reaches the roots of her hair. Let her then pour water over [the rest] of her body.’” ‘Â`ishah said: “How good are the women of Ansâr that their shyness did not prevent them from learning religion.” (Muslim)

Death. When a Muslim dies, Muslims are required to bathe him. Umm ‘Atiyyah : narrated:

“Allâh’s Messenger came to us when his daughter died and said: ‘Wash her three times, five times or more than that if you see fit, and do so with water and sidr (lote-tree leaves). At the end, sprinkle camphor or something of it on her, and when you finish, inform me.’ When we were finished, we informed him, then he gave us his waist-sheet and said, ‘Shroud her in it.’” (al-Bukhâri)



(27) Also included under this heading is the fluids secreted by women upon having an orgasm.

(28) If sperm is released due to sickness or other reasons other than desire, then in this case it is not obligatory to make ghusl

A Description of a Complete Ghusl

The Intention (Niyyah). One must intend in his heart that he is performing ghusl to remove himself from the major state of impurity – whether janâbah, menstruation or postpartum bleeding– without uttering such intention vocally.

Mentioning the Name of Allâh. One should say, ‘Bismillah’ (i.e. With the Name of Allâh),

He should wash his hands, and then wash his private parts to remove the filth.

Next, he should perform a complete wudoo´ as he would for the Prayer. He may delay washing his feet until the end his ghusl.

He should pour [at least] three handfuls of water on his head, running his fingers through his hair and beard so that water reaches the roots of his hair and scalp.

Then he should pour water over the rest of his body, rubbing it, beginning with the right side and then the left. He should take care that water reaches his armpits, ears, navel, and in between the folds of the skin if he were fat, for these folds of flesh which form in the obese prevent water from reaching the areas of skin concealed within the folds and may remain dry. He should then wash his feet if he had not already done so while making wudoo´ [before performing the ghusl]. ‘Aa`ishah : reported:

“When Allâh’s Messenger would perform ghusl due to sexual intercourse, he would first wash his hands, then pour water with his right hand into his left, washing his private parts. After that he would perform wudoo´ as he would for the Prayer, and then take water and rub it in to the roots of his hair with his fingers. [Lastly] he would wash his feet.” (Muslim)

Maymoonah : said, “I placed water for the Prophet to perform ghusl. He poured them on his hands and washed them twice or thrice, and then poured water with his right hand into his left and washed his private parts. Afterwards, he wiped his hands on the earth(29) and then rinsed his mouth and nose. He washed his face, his two hands, and then washed his head thrice. Afterwards, he poured water over his body. Then he shifted from that place and washed his feet. (al-Bukhâri)



(29) People in the past and present use earth as a soaping agent, in that it makes it easier to remove unwanted subtances from ones hands.

Minimum Required Acts for a Valid Ghusl

The Intention (Niyyah). One must intend in his heart that he is performing ghusl to remove himself from the major state of impurity – whether janâbah, menstruation or postpartum bleeding– without uttering such intention vocally.

He should clean the offensive material with water.

He should pour three handfuls of water over his head.

He must either pour water over the rest of his body, or submerge himself in it. He should take care that the water reaches his armpits, ears, navel, and between the folds of skin if he is fat.

Umm Salamah : said:

“O Messenger of Allâh, I have many braids on my head, should I untie them when performing ghusl from janâbah?” He replied, “No, it is enough for you to pour three handfuls of water on your head, and then pour water over yourself, and then you will be considered pure.” (Muslim)