Supererogatory Acts of Wudu’

• Starting on the right side. A’ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, narrated that: “Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) liked beginning with the right side when putting on his shoes, combing his hair, his purification and in all his affairs.” (Agreed upon)  

He also said:

• “On performing ablution, begin with your right side.” (Reported by Ibn Majah)

Washing the parts three times each, except for the head which is wiped once.

“A bedouin came to Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) to ask him about wudu’. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) demonstrated for him three times each and said: “This is wudu’. If anyone exceeds this, he will commit a wrongful act.” (Reported by Ahmad & Nasai)

• The use of miswak or tooth-stick. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“Were it not that I might over-burden my people, I would have ordered them to use tooth-stick with every wudu’.” (Reported by Ahmad)

• Running fingers through the beard. Anas, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that:

“The Prophet, when performing wudu’, used to take a handful of water and pour it on his beard, running his fingers through it, and then say: “Thus my Lord, glory be to Him, has commanded me.” (Reported by Abu Daud, Baihaqi & Hakim)

• Rubbing washed parts. Abdullah ibn Zaid, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated:

“The Prophet (Peace be upon him) was brought a third of a Mudd (i.e. about six hundred grams) of water. He performed ablution and rubbed his arms.” (Reported by Ibn Khuzaimah)

• Increasing the brightness of forehead by washing the top of it up to the roots of the hair, when washing the face, as well as washing the hands up to elbows and the feet above the ankles. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) said:

“My people will come on the Day of Judgment with bright faces, hands and feet from the traces of wudu’. If any of you can lengthen his brightness, let him do it.” (Agreed upon)

• Running fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes. Ibn ‘Abbas, may Allah be pleased with them, reported the Prophet (Peace be upon him) as saying:

“When you perform wudu’, run your fingers between the fingers of  your  hands  and  toes  of  your  feet.” (Reported by Ahmad, Tirmidhi & Ibn Majah)

• This includes moving the ring so that water will reach beneath it. Abu Rafe’a, may Allah be pleased with him, reported that:

“Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) used to move his ring when he performed wudu’.”

• Sniffing water up well inside the nose except for those who are fasting. Laqit ibn Saburah said:

“O Messenger of Allah, tell me about wudu’. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) answered: “Perform a perfect wudu’, run your fingers between the fingers of the hands and the toes, and sniff water up well inside the nose unless you are fasting.” (Sunan narrators)

• Avoiding waste of water. Abdullah ibn Mughaffal, may Allah be pleased with him, heard his son say: ‘O Allah! I beg You to give me the white palace on the right side of Paradise if I enter it.’ He said to him: ‘My son! Ask Allah for Paradise and seek refuge from Hell. I heard Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) say: “There will be in this nation some people who trespass in matters of purification and supplication.” (Reported by Abu Daud)

Our example in this regard is our Prophet (Peace be upon him) for:

“He used to bathe himself with a Saa’ [1] (about 2.5 liters) up to five Mudds, and to perform wudu’ with a Mudd (about .6 liter).” (Agreed upon)

• Invocation following it. Omar, may Allah be pleased with him, narrated that Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him)  said:

“If one of you performs ablution in a perfect manner then says: “I testify that there is no true god but Allah the Alone, has no associate with Him, and testify that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger”, the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him to enter through any of them.” (Reported by Muslim)

• Performing two rak’at after wudu’ (i.e. wudu’ prayer), based on Allah’s Messenger (Peace be upon him) tradition narrated by ‘Uqbah ibn ‘Amer, may Allah be pleased with him:

“If a person performs ablution well, then prays two rak’at dedicating his heart and body to them, he will surely be entitled to Paradise.” (Reported by Muslim)