Pathway to Paradise — Page 69
69 I. Wudhu (Ablution) Cleanliness is particularly emphasized in connection with salaat (prayer), as a Muslim is expected to try to be in a prayerful state at all times. To this end, Muslims are commanded to perform the ritual washing of certain parts of the body in preparation for salaat. The Holy Qur’an says: “O you who believe! When you rise up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands as far as the elbows, and wipe your heads, and (wash) your feet up to the ankles. ” (5:7) The way in which the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be on him) performed wudhu is as follows: The hands are washed to the wrists three times. The mouth is rinsed with water three times. The nostrils are cleaned three times by snuffing a little water into them and blowing the nose if necessary. The complete face is washed with water three times. The right arm, and then the left, is washed from wrist to elbow. The head is wiped over with wet hands, and the inner side of the ears wiped with the forefingers and the outer side with the thumbs. Finally, the feet are washed to the ankles, the right one first. While you may perform ablution before every prayer, it becomes necessary only after using the restroom, after vomiting or bleeding occurs and after one has been asleep. Acquiring the habit of wudhu not only fulfills the religious injunction, it also helps you maintain habitual cleanliness and self discipline.