Al Minah Al `Aliyyah (6)

Thus, among the Sunnan of ablution are:

Using the Siwak (tooth-stick), this should be done before beginning ablution or before rinsing the mouth. This is the second case in which siwak is permissible. Abu Hurairah t narrated that Allah’s Messenger said,

“If it was not for the fact that I would be overburdening my nation, I would have ordered them to use the tooth-stick (siwak) before every prayer.”[1]

Mentioning Allah’s name before commencing ablution, for Abu Hurairah t narrated that the Prophet said,

“There is no ablution for him who does not mention Allah’s name upon it.”[2]

Washing the hands three times. ‘Uthman t described the Prophet’s r way of making his ablution. He said, “He (the Prophet r) asked for water, he washed his hands three times.” He (‘Uthman) said, “I saw the Prophet r performing his ablution in the same manner. ”[3]   Washing the hands is not obligatory as Allah’s saying,

{يَاأَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا إِذَا قُمْتُمْ إِلَى الصَّلَاةِ فَاغْسِلُوا وُجُوهَكُمْ} [المائدة: 6]

“O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salat (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles.” (5:6)

Hence, the verse did not mention washing the hands.

Beginning with the right parts when washing the hands and legs. ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated, “The Prophet r would love using his right hand or leg first when putting on his shoes, waking,  purifying himself and in all of his affairs.”^[4] Also, the hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah t says,

“When you get dressed and when you perform ablution, start from the right.”[5]

Starting with rinsing the mouth and sniffing water into the nostrils. ‘Uthman t narrated, “He rinsed his mouth and sniffed water into his nostrils and then washed his face three times.”^[6] Thus, if the person washed his face first and delayed rinsing the mouth and blowing water into the nose, there would be no problem.

 Exaggeration in sniffing water into nose, unless the person is fasting. It was reported by Luqait Ibn Sabrah t that the Prophet r said,

 “Wash completely; interlace between your fingers; and exaggerate in sniffing water into your nose, unless you are fasting.”[7] 

Sheikh Ibn ‘Uthaimeen (may Allah have mercy upon him) said,

“Exaggeration in rinsing the mouth means to flush water strongly around inside the mouth so that the entire mouth will be washed. Exaggeration in sniffing water into the nostrils means to inhale it with a strong breath. Yet, exaggeration is disliked for the one who is fasting, as this would lead the person to swallow water which would automatically go to the stomach thereby invalidating his fast.”[8]

Isbagh means to completely wash all of the limbs (areas of ablution) so that water reaches every part and this isbagh is compulsory. However, the recommended isbagh is to follow the Sunnan, thus the absence of which would not invalidate the ablution. Isbagh has a great reward especially when it is difficult to use water due to the cold weather or the water being very hot during the summer. Thus, if the person applies isbagh, he is very close to having his sins forgiven and his deeds accepted and elevated.

What indicates this is the following: Abu Hurairah t narrated that the Prophet r said, “Shall I not tell you something by means of which Allah erases sins and raises people in status?” They said: “Yes, O Messenger of Allah.” He said: “Doing ablution properly at times when it is difficult to do so, taking many steps to the mosque, and waiting for the following prayer after the prayer has finished. That is constant readiness.”  [9]

Rinsing the mouth out and sniffing up water with only one handful (of water). ‘Abdullah Ibn Zaid t described the Prophet’s r ablution by saying,

“ He put his hand into the vessel and rinsed his mouth and washed his nose with water and then blew it out thrice with only one handful of water.” [10] 

Ibn Al-Qayyem (may Allah have mercy upon him) said,

“There is no authentic hadith that states that the Prophet Muhammad r took an interval between rinsing the mouth and sniffing water into the nose and blowing it out again.”[11]

Wiping the head and how to do it in accordance with the Sunnah: One  is to use both hands, wipe the front of the head, all the way to the back of it, and then go back again from the starting position. A woman would do the same thing, however, she does not have to wipe the entire length of her hair. This is proven by the hadith of ‘Abdullah Ibn Zaid t, who described the Prophet’s r ablution saying,

“He wiped his entire head with his hands. He started with the front of his head, then moved to the back, and then returned his hands to the front again.”[12]

To wash every part thrice: The first rinsing with water is obligatory, whereas the second and third are Sunnah and it is never to be done more than three times. This is proven by the authentic hadith reported by Al-Bukhari. Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them him) narrated, “The Prophet r washed every part only once.”[13] Al-Bukhari reported that through ‘Abdullah Ibn Zaid t that, “The Prophet r washed every part twice.”[14] It was also reported in the two sound sahih collections though ‘Uthman t that, “The Prophet r washed each part thrice.”[15] Hence, it would be better to follow the different ways of washing parts separately. In other words, you can wash parts once, then twice, and then thrice, but occasionally. Moreover, it is possible to wash the face thrice, the hands twice, and the feet once, as it was proven in the hadith of ‘Abudllah Ibn Zaid in another narration. [16]

The supplication after finishing ablution according to the Sunnah: On the authority of ‘Umar t who narrated in an elevated hadith, the Prophet r said,

“None of you makes ablution and completes the ablution without uttering,  ‘I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah Alone and He has no partners; and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger,’ after which all eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, so he may enter by whichever gate he pleases.”[17]

Furthermore, it was reported in the hadith narrated by Abu Sa’id t that the Prophet r said,

“Whoever makes ablution and says, ‘Glory be to You, O Allah, and all praise be to You. I bear witness that there is no god except You. I beg Your forgiveness and I repent unto you,’ will have it written down for him in the great book, and placed on a tablet which will not be broken until the Day of Resurrection.” [18]

Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy upon him) authenticated the isnad (chain of narration) of this hadith and he said it is not classified as marfu,’ it should be mawquf (refers to a narration attributed to a Companion, whether a statement of that companion, an action or otherwise). Nevertheless, there would be no harm to grade it as marfu.’

Hence, whenever a Muslim intends to perform ablution let him remember that he is doing an act of worship that has three great virtues. Firstly, it is a reason to gain Allah’s love. Secondly, it leads to the forgiveness of sins. Thirdly, he will be given the best attire and adornments to wear as a type of compensation for his ablution.

Allah the Almighty says,

{ﯚ  ﯛ  ﯜ  ﯝ  ﯞ   ﯟ}

“Truly, Allah loves those who turn unto Him in repentance and loves those who purify themselves (by taking a bath and cleaning and washing thoroughly their private parts, bodies, for their prayers, etc.).”                                      (2:222)

Abu Hurairah t reported that the Prophet r said, “When the Muslim – or believing slave does wudu and washes his face, every wrong thing at which his eyes had looked at leaves with the water – or with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, every wrong thing which his hands had touched leaves with the water – or with the last drop of water. When he washes his feet, every wrong thing to which his feet had walked towards leaves with the water – or with the last drop of water until he emerges cleansed of his sins.”[19]   He also narrated, “My beloved friend (the Prophet r) said to me: ‘A believer adornment would reach the places where the ablution reaches.’” ^[20]