Wudu’ is Recommended for

- On going to sleep:

Al-Bara’ ibn Azib, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated: the Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“Whenever you go to bed perform ablution like the one you perform for prayer, lie on your right side and say: “Allahumma aslamtu wajhi ilayk, wa fawwadtu amri ilayk, wa alja’tu Zahri ilayk, raghbatan wa rahbatan ilayk, la malja’a wala manja minka illa ilayk. Allahumma amantu bikitabikal-ladhi anzalta, wa binabiyikal-ladhi arsalta.” (O Allah! I surrender to You and entrust all my affairs to You, and depend upon You for blessings, both with hope and fear of You. There is no fleeing from You, and there is no place of protection and safety except with You. O Allah! I believe in Your Book (the Qur’an) which You have revealed and in Your Prophet (Muhammad, Peace be upon him) whom you have sent.) Then if you die on that very night, you will die on the religion of pure nature (i.e. Islam). Let the aforesaid words be your last utterance (before sleep).” (Reported by Bukhari)

- In case of major ritual impurity (Janabah) if one wants to eat, drink, sleep or practise (with one’s wife) sex again. Ammar ibn Yasser said:

“Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) recommended the person who has Janabah to perform wudu’ like the one performed for prayer in case he/she wants to eat, drink or sleep.” (Reported by Ahmad & Tirmidhi)

The Prophet (Peace be upon him) also said:

“If a person goes to bed with his wife and then intends to have her again, let him perform wudu’.” (Narrated by all except Bukhari)

- Just before the ritual bath for Janabah, and after menstruation and postpartum (childbirth) period. A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that:

“Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) on taking a bath for Janabah, used to wash his hands, and use his right hand to pour water on his left hand to wash his private parts, then perform wudu’ like that for prayer.” (Agreed upon)

- Renewal of wudu’ at each prayer. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“Had it not been difficult for my nation (Muslims), I would have ordered them to perform wudu’ for each prayer, and to use the tooth-stick with each wudu’.” (Reported by Ahmad)

He also said:

“If a person performs wudu’ while he is (ritually) pure, the reward for his wudu’ will be ten-fold (i.e. ten hasanat will be recorded for him).” (Reported by Abu Daud, Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)