PERFECTLY ABDULLAH

Wudhu is the sacred first step towards presence in worship, especially when we are about to perform prayer. By following the rules of the Prophet Muhammad SAW in the procedure of performing wudhu, we not only maintain our physical purity but also follow the best example that has ever existed in human history.

Sheikh Muhammad Fahd and Sheikh Bin Baz, in the book "The Characteristics of Wudhu & the Prayer of the Prophet," explain that wudhu is a sacred method established by Allah SWT, which involves using pure water on certain parts of the body, as explained in the Sharia. However, wudhu can also be interpreted as a form of self-purification before performing prayer.

"The rules of ablution were established by Allah SWT directly in His words in the excerpt of Surah Al-Maidah verse 6:"

O you who have believed, when you rise to perform prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows, and wipe over your heads and your feet to the ankles.

"O you who have believed, when you rise to perform prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and wash your feet to the ankles."

Meaning: O you who have believed, when you rise to perform prayer, wash your faces and your forearms to the elbows and wipe over your heads and (wash) your feet to the ankles.

The Correct Method of Wudu According to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW
In that verse, we understand that Allah SWT commands ablution and simultaneously provides the correct guidance on how to perform it. Prophet Muhammad SAW, as the messenger of Allah, came into this world to provide a deeper explanation of His teachings, which were initially general.

Through the actions recorded by the companions of the Prophet in various hadith narrations, we can learn the correct way of performing wudhu in accordance with the teachings of the sunnah. This is also emphasized in the book "Fiqh of Women’s Sunnah" by Abu Malik Kamal bin Sayyid Salim.

It is narrated that, "Uthman bin Affan asked for water to perform ablution, and then he performed ablution; he washed both palms three times, then he rinsed his mouth and sniffed water with his nose, then he washed his face three times, then he washed his right hand up to the elbow three times, then his left hand likewise, then he wiped his head, then he washed his right foot up to the ankle three times, then his left foot likewise."

"After that, he (Uthman bin Affan) said, 'I have seen the Messenger of Allah SAW perform ablution as I have done, and then he SAW said, "Whoever performs ablution like my ablution, then he prays two rak'ahs, and does not speak to himself during those two rak'ahs, then his past sins will be forgiven." Ibn Shihab added, 'And our scholars said, "This method of ablution is the most perfect ablution that a person can perform for prayer." (HR Bukhari & Muslim)"

"Quoting the hadith, the correct method of wudhu according to the Sunnah of the Prophet SAW is as follows:"

1. Intend in your heart to perform ablution

I intend to perform ablution to remove the minor impurity, obligatory for Allah, the Exalted.

"The intention of performing ablution to remove minor impurities is obligatory for the sake of Allah, the Exalted."

Meaning: "I intend to perform ablution to remove minor impurity as an obligation for the sake of Allah Ta'ala"

2. Reciting the basmalah, "bismillaahirrahmaanirrahiim".

3. Washing both palms three times

4. Rinse three times

5. Inhale water through the nose three times

6. Wash all visible parts of the face three times.

7. Wash both hands up to the elbows, starting with the right hand followed by the left hand, three times.

8. Wiping the head three times

9. Washing both ears three times, starting with the right then the left.

10. Wash both feet up to the ankles three times, starting with the right foot then the left foot.

11. Reading the prayer after ablution

I bear witness that there is no deity except Allah, alone, with no partner. And I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who are pure. Glory be to You.

O Allah, and with Your praise, there is no deity except You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance.

"I bear witness that there is no deity but Allah, He is One and has no partners, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who purify themselves. Glory be to You, O Allah, and praise be to You; there is no deity but You. I seek Your forgiveness and turn to You in repentance."

Meaning: "I bear witness that there is no god but Allah alone, who has no partners, and I also bear witness that Muhammad is His servant and messenger. O Allah, make me among those who repent and make me among those who purify themselves. Glorified are You, O our Lord, and all praise is due to You. I bear witness that there is no God but You. I seek forgiveness and repent to You."

Imam Nawawi in the book Al-Adzkar explains about this matter, according to him, "As for the prayers recited for each part of the ablution, there is no basis for them at all from the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (SAW)."

Furthermore, Imam Nawawi stated, "The scholars of fiqh say that it is recommended to recite a prayer for each part of the ablution based on the words of the salaf scholars, who also added to and reduced the recitation of these prayers. As a result, they say that after reciting the basmalah, one can continue with the many prayers known from the salaf scholars."