WUDHU – PART 1
Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “The Key to Jannah is Salaah and the key to Salaah is Wudhu.”
A ‘BEAUTIFUL’ WUDHU
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) emphasized the observance of a ‘Beautiful’ Wudhu. As a result of a Beautiful Wudhu the body parts washed during Wudhu will glitter with a wonderful noor in Qiyaamah. By means of this noor, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) will recognize the members of his Ummah among the vast multitudes in the plains of Qiyaamah.
WUDHU AT HOME
People should endeavour to make Wudhu at home so that their entire walk/drive to the Musjid will be recorded as Salaat. This is mentioned in the Ahaadeeth. Making Wudhu at home is an act of greater merit than making Wudhu at the Masjid. There are many advantages when one proceeds from home in a state of Wudhu.
WUDHU – THE WEAPON OF A BELIEVER
The Ulama, Mashaaikh and Fuqaha explain that Wudhu is the weapon of a Mu’min. A Muslim should remain ever diligent against his nafs and shaitaan. He should inculcate this diligence by perpetually remaining in the state of wudhu.
It, therefore, does not behove the Saalik (the spiritual traveller) in the spiritual path to go unarmed in the fight against shaitaan and the nafs. Commanding diligence, Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said:
“Be steadfast and firm (in goodness and piety). Be not indolent. Know that the best of your righteous deeds is Salaat and it is only a true Mu’min who guards his wudhu.”
There are many benefits in the practice of being constantly with wudhu. The Saalik remains under the special mercy and protection of Allah Ta’ala. He is saved from calamities and the nafs and shaitaan do not quickly overpower him.
WALHAAN – THE SPECIAL SHAYTAAN
Walhaan is the shaitaan who is appointed to stand by the Muslim when he makes wudhu. He attempts to distract the Mu’min while he makes wudhu. It is therefore essential to refrain from conversation while making wudhu.
SPEAKING WHILST MAKING WUDHU
It is essential to understand that the process of Salaat, according to the Hadith, commences when you set out from home with the intention of going to the Musjid for Salaat. With this intention you receive rewards for every step taken towards the Musjid, provided that you do not engage in futility and nonsense on your way to the Musjid.
When you engage in making Wudhu, then you are almost in your Salaat. It is not permissible to engage in conversation whilst making Wudhu. Numerous people are extremely careless in this regard. When making wudhu, then a special shaitaan called Walhaan stands nearby and induces one to engage in conversation. The thawaab of Wudhu is utterly destroyed when one indulges in conversation. The Musjid is not the place for conversation and discussion. Wait until you are outside the Musjid.
If a person engages in conversation whilst making Wudhu even at home, then one will be depriving oneself of attaining the virtues derived from reciting the various Masnoon Duas. In Maraaqil Falaah, it is mentioned that one should not speak whilst making Wudhu as it diverts and deprives a person from reciting the Duas.
WUDHU DUAS
It is Mustahab to recite Kalimah Shahaadat when washing each part during Wudhu. This is in addition to the other Masnoon duas to be recited when washing each limb. There is no doubt regarding the Fazaail (virtues) of the various Duas to be recited when washing each limb. Many Fuqaha have explicitly stated that such Duas are Mustahab. Reciting those Duas are also from amongst the Aadaab (etiquettes) of Wudhu. Furthermore, those short Duas have a wonderful spiritual benefit too.
There are a number of short Duas which should be recited while making Wudhu. Muslims should make an effort to memorize these duas. Those who have not yet learnt these duas should recite Bismillah when commencing to wash each part. In· addition, the Kalimah and Durood Shareef should be recited throughout the duration of Wudhu. After completing Wudhu, recite Surah Inna Anzalna. The short Duas are mentioned in books such as Kitaabut Tahaarah.
BEING CONSTANTLY IN A STATE OF WUDHU
Advising Hazrat Anas Radhiyallahu Anhu, Nabi Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam said: “If you are able, inculcate the practice of being permanently with wudhu. At the time of Maut, you will not forget Kalimah Shahaadat.”
WUDHU AND THE MUSLIM
Once when Hadhrat Sultaanul Auliya (Rahmatullah Alayh) was in a jungle, it was time for Namaaz. He waited for some time in anticipation of someone arriving so that the Namaaz could be performed in Jamaat. Soon he saw a wood-cutter carrying a bundle of wood.
Hadhrat Sultaanul Auliya asked: “Have you made wudhu?” The wood-cutter responded: “Is it possible for a Muslim to be without wudhu?” Hadhrat said to himself with surprise: “Some Auliya are so hidden that we fail to recognize them.”
SOME WUDHU MASAAIL
- Wiping the hands and face with a towel after wudhu is among the adaab (etiquettes) of wudhu. It is, therefore, mustahab to do so. Some people hold the erroneous belief that wiping or drying after wudhu is in conflict with the Sunnah. While it is permissible to refrain from wiping, to wipe the hands, face, etc., is not in conflict with the Sunnah.
- If one is about to make wudhu or is engaged in making wudhu and the Jamaat Salaat commences, wudhu should be made fully. The Sunnat acts of the wudhu should not be omitted.
- While making wudhu if anything which breaks wudhu occurs, the whole wudhu should be repeated.
- When washing the hands and arms during wudhu, it is Masnoon (Sunnat) to start washing from the fingers. It is not correct to wash from the elbows as some people do when making wudhu sitting at a tap.
- It is not permissible to enter the Musjid without wudhu. The prohibition is severer if one is in the state of janaabat.
TAKHLEEL OF THE FINGERS DURING WUDHU
(Takhleel means to pass the wet fingers of one hand through the fingers of the other hand to ensure that water has reached the spaces in between the fingers.)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) commanded: “When you make wudhu then make Takhleel between your fingers and your toes.” (Takhleel of the toes is made with the little finger of the left hand.)
Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “Make takhleel of your fingers so that Allah does not make takhleel of (your) fingers with fire on the Day of Qiyaamah.”
FOR EYESIGHT
After Wudhu, look towards the sky and recite Surah Qadr and Kalimah Shahaadat. This act is beneficial for eyesight.
MAY ALLAH GRANT US THE TAWFEEQ TO ALWAYS OBSERVE A THOROUGH AND BEAUTIFUL WUDHU AND TO BE CONSTANTLY IN A STATE OF WUDHU. AAMEEN