[List of Contents - Rulings of prayer (Thozhugai sattangal book by MI Sulaiman)]
Procedure for doing wudhu (ablution/washing oneself)
Niyyah, the intention
One while doing any task, one should have the intention behind doing that task. Without that intention, even if one performs all the necessary actions for worship, that would not be considered as an act of worship.
Let's say one does not eat, does not drink and does not have sexual relationship with spouse from before sunrise until after sunset. But, he/she does not have the intention to fast. Could be due to lack of time or under the medical advice for the reason to fast. Despite carrying out all necessary actions of a fasting person, due to the lack of intention to fast, he/she would not be considered as a person to be fasting (as an act of worship).
Let's say one performs all the necessary actions for the prayer, in order for exercising the body or for any other reason. But, if the intention to pray is not there, then he/she would not be considered to have fulfilled the prayer. Similarly let’s say one from a drowsy heavy-eyed state gets up and does all the necessary actions for the prayer. But, if the one is not conscious about the prayer, then would not be considered as the one to have fulfilled the prayer. It is in this manner, if one performs all the necessary actions for wudhu. But, let’s say that person does not have the intention (and consciousness) of performing wudhu. Then, he/she would not be considered as the person who performed wudhu.
For example, if there was a rain while one was strolling out. The entire body gets wet with water. Let’s assume all the body parts that should be washed during wudhu have got washed up too. Or, if one mistakenly has fell into a lake/pond or let’s assume was in for bathing. Since, there was not intention behind for wudhu, this person would not be considered as the one who has performed the wudhu.
For every action, it is necessary to have niyyah i.e intention. The following hadiths serves as proof for this:
حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الأَنْصَارِيُّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيُّ، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ وَقَّاصٍ اللَّيْثِيَّ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ قَالَ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى دُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ ".
Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab:
I heard Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) saying, "The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 1
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 1
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/1/1
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ مَسْلَمَةَ بْنِ قَعْنَبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ مُحَمَّدِ، بْنِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنِ وَقَّاصٍ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " إِنَّمَا الأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّةِ وَإِنَّمَا لاِمْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى اللَّهِ وَرَسُولِهِ وَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ لِدُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوِ امْرَأَةٍ يَتَزَوَّجُهَا فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ " .
It has been narrated on the authority of Umar b. al-Khattab that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:
(The value of) an action depends on the intention behind it. A man will be rewarded only for what he intended. The emigration of one who emigrates for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) is for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (ﷺ) ; and the emigration of one who emigrates for gaining a worldly advantage or for marrying a woman is for what he has emigrated.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 1907 a
In-book reference : Book 33, Hadith 222
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 20, Hadith 4692
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/muslim/33/222
The niyyah is misunderstood among some Muslims. They consider saying certain Arabic words while fulfilling wudhu, prayer, fasting and similar duties, as the niyyah.
The word niyyah does not mean something to say through mouth. It means to remember by heart. Moreover, while performing wudhu, praying, fasting, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) was never found to begin by saying certain words from mouth.
He was found verbally uttering only while fulfilling hajj (pilgrimage). Except this, no other religious duty was begun by saying words from mouth. If the intention in heart: ‘I am going to perform wudhu now’ is present, then that is niyyah. Should not be said verbally. Verbally doing is an act of bidah (innovation). If this was necessary, Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) would have guided us by verbally doing that.
Brushing the teeth
Brushing the teeth before wudhu is the way of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). Brushing the teeth is not part of wudhu itself! It is an act of worship that is to be done separately before performing wudhu.
وَحَدَّثَنِي أَبُو بَكْرِ بْنُ إِسْحَاقَ، أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي مَرْيَمَ، أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ جَعْفَرٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي شَرِيكُ بْنُ أَبِي نَمِرٍ، عَنْ كُرَيْبٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّهُ قَالَ رَقَدْتُ فِي بَيْتِ مَيْمُونَةَ لَيْلَةَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم عِنْدَهَا لأَنْظُرَ كَيْفَ صَلاَةُ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم بِاللَّيْلِ - قَالَ - فَتَحَدَّثَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَعَ أَهْلِهِ سَاعَةً ثُمَّ رَقَدَ . وَسَاقَ الْحَدِيثَ وَفِيهِ ثُمَّ قَامَ فَتَوَضَّأَ وَاسْتَنَّ .
Ibn `Abbas reported:
I slept one night in the house of Maimuna when the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was there, with a view to seeing the prayer of the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) at night. The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) entered into conversation with his wife for a short while, and then went to sleep, and the rest of the hadith is the same and in it mention is made of: "He then got up, performed ablution and brushed his teeth."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 763 k
In-book reference : Book 6, Hadith 226
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 4, Hadith 1681
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/muslim/6/226
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو مَعْمَرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَارِثِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا شُعَيْبُ بْنُ الْحَبْحَابِ، حَدَّثَنَا أَنَسٌ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " أَكْثَرْتُ عَلَيْكُمْ فِي السِّوَاكِ ".
Narrated Anas:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "I have told you repeatedly to use the Siwak. (The Prophet (ﷺ) put emphasis on the use of the Siwak.)
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 888
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 13
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 13
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/11/13
أَخْبَرَنَا حُمَيْدُ بْنُ مَسْعَدَةَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، عَنْ يَزِيدَ، - وَهُوَ ابْنُ زُرَيْعٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنُ أَبِي عَتِيقٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي أَبِي قَالَ، سَمِعْتُ عَائِشَةَ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " السِّوَاكُ مَطْهَرَةٌ لِلْفَمِ مَرْضَاةٌ لِلرَّبِّ " .
'Abdur-Rahman bin Abu 'Atiq said:
"My father told me: 'I heard 'Aishah say, (narrating) from the Prophet (ﷺ): "Siwak is a means of purification for the mouth and is pleasing to the Lord."
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa’i
Arabic/English book reference : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 5
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1000050
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ أَبِي الزِّنَادِ، عَنِ الأَعْرَجِ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ " لَوْلاَ أَنْ أَشُقَّ عَلَى أُمَّتِي ـ أَوْ عَلَى النَّاسِ ـ لأَمَرْتُهُمْ بِالسِّوَاكِ مَعَ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ ".
Narrated Abu Huraira:
Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "If I had not found it hard for my followers or the people, I would have ordered them to clean their teeth with Siwak for every prayer."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 887
In-book reference : Book 11, Hadith 12
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 13, Hadith 12
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari/11/12
The stick for brushing the teeth
Its observed that some Muslims have the opinion that it sunnah to ensure that the sticks for brushing the teeth shall be from certain trees only. This is also being called as ‘miswak’ stick.
The meaning of the word ‘Miswak’ is the instrument used for brushing the teeth. It does not mean that it is a stick from certain tree.
For brushing the teeth, be it fingers or toothbrush, both come under the definition of ‘miswak’. Similarly, using stick to brush regardless of the tree that comes from, still comes under the definition of ‘miswak’. All of these refer the same here. It is rather the act of brushing the teeth the way of the Prophet and the contention that only certain sticks has to be used is not the way of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Since, some insist that only certain type of sticks should be used for brushing the teeth, we had to highlight it here.
After brushing the teeth, the wudhu needs to be performed. Let us now get to know about the necessary actions along with its proofs, which are to be performed in sequence during wudhu.
Saying Allah’s name
While beginning to perform wudhu, one should first say ‘Bismillah’ (In the name of Allah).
أَخْبَرَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ أَنْبَأَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مَعْمَرٌ، عَنْ ثَابِتٍ، وَقَتَادَةُ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ طَلَبَ بَعْضُ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَضُوءًا فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " هَلْ مَعَ أَحَدٍ مِنْكُمْ مَاءٌ " . فَوَضَعَ يَدَهُ فِي الْمَاءِ وَيَقُولُ " تَوَضَّئُوا بِسْمِ اللَّهِ " . فَرَأَيْتُ الْمَاءَ يَخْرُجُ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَصَابِعِهِ حَتَّى تَوَضَّئُوا مِنْ عِنْدِ آخِرِهِمْ . قَالَ ثَابِتٌ قُلْتُ لأَنَسٍ كَمْ تُرَاهُمْ قَالَ نَحْوًا مِنْ سَبْعِينَ .
It was narrated that Anas said:
"Some of the Companions of the Prophet (ﷺ) were looking for (water for) Wudu'. The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Do any of you have water?' He put his hand in the water and said: 'Perform Wudu' in the Name of Allah.' I saw the water coming out from between his fingers until they had all performed Wudu'." Thabit said: "I said to Anas: 'How many did you see?' He said: 'About seventy.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa’i
Arabic/English book reference : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 78
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1000780
Washing the forearms
While doing wudhu, the first act is to wash the forearms (both the hands until elbow).
أَخْبَرَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا آدَمُ بْنُ أَبِي إِيَاسٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، - هُوَ ابْنُ سَعْدٍ - قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي أَبُو يَحْيَى، سُلَيْمُ بْنُ عَامِرٍ وَضَمْرَةُ بْنُ حَبِيبٍ وَأَبُو طَلْحَةَ نُعَيْمُ بْنُ زِيَادٍ قَالُوا سَمِعْنَا أَبَا أُمَامَةَ الْبَاهِلِيَّ، يَقُولُ سَمِعْتُ عَمْرَو بْنَ عَبَسَةَ، يَقُولُ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ الْوُضُوءُ قَالَ " أَمَّا الْوُضُوءُ فَإِنَّكَ إِذَا تَوَضَّأْتَ فَغَسَلْتَ كَفَّيْكَ فَأَنْقَيْتَهُمَا خَرَجَتْ خَطَايَاكَ مِنْ بَيْنِ أَظْفَارِكَ وَأَنَامِلِكَ فَإِذَا مَضْمَضْتَ وَاسْتَنْشَقْتَ مَنْخِرَيْكَ وَغَسَلْتَ وَجْهَكَ وَيَدَيْكَ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ وَمَسَحْتَ رَأْسَكَ وَغَسَلْتَ رِجْلَيْكَ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ اغْتَسَلْتَ مِنْ عَامَّةِ خَطَايَاكَ فَإِنْ أَنْتَ وَضَعْتَ وَجْهَكَ لِلَّهِ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ خَرَجْتَ مِنْ خَطَايَاكَ كَيَوْمَ وَلَدَتْكَ أُمُّكَ " . قَالَ أَبُو أُمَامَةَ فَقُلْتُ يَا عَمْرُو بْنَ عَبَسَةَ انْظُرْ مَا تَقُولُ أَكُلُّ هَذَا يُعْطَى فِي مَجْلِسٍ وَاحِدٍ فَقَالَ أَمَا وَاللَّهِ لَقَدْ كَبِرَتْ سِنِّي وَدَنَا أَجَلِي وَمَا بِي مِنْ فَقْرٍ فَأَكْذِبَ عَلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَلَقَدْ سَمِعَتْهُ أُذُنَاىَ وَوَعَاهُ قَلْبِي مِنْ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم .
'Amr bin 'Abasah said:
"I said: 'O Messenger of Allah! How is Wudu' done?' He said: 'As for Wudu', when you perform Wudu', and you wash your hands to clean them, your sins come out from between your fingers and fingertips. When you rinse your mouth and nostrils, and wash your face and hands up to the elbows, and wipe your head, and wash your feet up to the ankles, you are cleansed of all your sins. When you prostrate your face to Allah, may He be exalted, you emerge from your sins like the day your mother bore you.'" Abu Umamah said: "I said: 'O 'Amr bin 'Abasah! Look at what you are saying! Was all of that given in one sitting? He said: 'By Allah, I have grown old, my appointed time is near and I am not so poor that I should tell lies about the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ). I heard it with my own ears and understood it in my heart from the Messenger of Allah.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa’i
English reference : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 147
Arabic reference : Book 1, Hadith 148
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1001480
Cleansing mouth and nose
After washing the forearms (both the hands until elbow), mouth and nose should be cleansed.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأُوَيْسِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَنَّ عَطَاءَ بْنَ يَزِيدَ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ حُمْرَانَ مَوْلَى عُثْمَانَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، رَأَى عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ دَعَا بِإِنَاءٍ، فَأَفْرَغَ عَلَى كَفَّيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ فَغَسَلَهُمَا، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَمِينَهُ فِي الإِنَاءِ فَمَضْمَضَ، وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا، وَيَدَيْهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا، ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، لاَ يُحَدِّثُ فِيهِمَا نَفْسَهُ، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ".
Narrated Humran:
(the slave of 'Uthman) I saw 'Uthman bin 'Affan asking for a tumbler of water (and when it was brought) he poured water over his hands and washed them thrice and then put his right hand in the water container and rinsed his mouth, washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out. then he washed his face and forearms up to the elbows thrice, passed his wet hands over his head and washed his feet up to the ankles thrice. Then he said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said 'If anyone performs ablution like that of mine and offers a two-rak'at prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to the present prayer) then his past sins will be forgiven.' "
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 159
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 25
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 161
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/4/25
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ حُمْرَانَ، مَوْلَى عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ أَنَّهُ رَأَى عُثْمَانَ دَعَا بِوَضُوءٍ، فَأَفْرَغَ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ مِنْ إِنَائِهِ، فَغَسَلَهُمَا ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَمِينَهُ فِي الْوَضُوءِ، ثُمَّ تَمَضْمَضَ، وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، وَاسْتَنْثَرَ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا وَيَدَيْهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ كُلَّ رِجْلٍ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا وَقَالَ " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، لاَ يُحَدِّثُ فِيهِمَا نَفْسَهُ، غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ".
Narrated Humran:
(the freed slave of `Uthman bin `Affan) I saw `Uthman bin `Affan asking (for a tumbler of water) to perform ablution (and when it was brought) he poured water from it over his hands and washed them thrice and then put his right hand in the water container and rinsed his mouth and washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out. Then he washed his face thrice and (then) forearms up to the elbows thrice, then passed his wet hands over his head and then washed each foot thrice. After that `Uthman said, "I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) performing ablution like this of mine, and he said, 'If anyone performs ablution like that of mine and offers a two-rak`at prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to the present prayer) then his past sins will be forgiven. '
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 164
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 30
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 165
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/4/30
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو سَلَمَةَ الْخُزَاعِيُّ، مَنْصُورُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ بِلاَلٍ ـ يَعْنِي سُلَيْمَانَ ـ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّهُ تَوَضَّأَ فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَمَضْمَضَ بِهَا وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَجَعَلَ بِهَا هَكَذَا، أَضَافَهَا إِلَى يَدِهِ الأُخْرَى، فَغَسَلَ بِهِمَا وَجْهَهُ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَغَسَلَ بِهَا يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَغَسَلَ بِهَا يَدَهُ الْيُسْرَى، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ فَرَشَّ عَلَى رِجْلِهِ الْيُمْنَى حَتَّى غَسَلَهَا، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً أُخْرَى، فَغَسَلَ بِهَا رِجْلَهُ ـ يَعْنِي الْيُسْرَى ـ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَكَذَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ.
Narrated `Ata' bin Yasar:
Ibn `Abbas performed ablution and washed his face (in the following way): He ladled out a handful of water, rinsed his mouth and washed his nose with it by putting in water and then blowing it out. He then, took another handful (of water) and did like this (gesturing) joining both hands, and washed his face, took another handful of water and washed his right forearm. He again took another handful of water and washed his left forearm, and passed wet hands over his head and took another handful of water and poured it over his right foot (up to his ankles) and washed it thoroughly and similarly took another handful of water and washed thoroughly his left foot (up to the ankles) and said, "I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) performing ablution in this way."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 140
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 6
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 142
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/4/6
أَخْبَرَنَا قُتَيْبَةُ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ خَالِدِ بْنِ عَلْقَمَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ خَيْرٍ، قَالَ أَتَيْنَا عَلِيَّ بْنَ أَبِي طَالِبٍ - رضى الله عنه - وَقَدْ صَلَّى فَدَعَا بِطَهُورٍ فَقُلْنَا مَا يَصْنَعُ بِهِ وَقَدْ صَلَّى مَا يُرِيدُ إِلاَّ لِيُعَلِّمَنَا فَأُتِيَ بِإِنَاءٍ فِيهِ مَاءٌ وَطَسْتٍ فَأَفْرَغَ مِنَ الإِنَاءِ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ فَغَسَلَهَا ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ تَمَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْشَقَ ثَلاَثًا مِنَ الْكَفِّ الَّذِي يَأْخُذُ بِهِ الْمَاءَ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا وَغَسَلَ يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى ثَلاَثًا وَيَدَهُ الشِّمَالَ ثَلاَثًا وَمَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَهُ الْيُمْنَى ثَلاَثًا وَرِجْلَهُ الشِّمَالَ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ مَنْ سَرَّهُ أَنْ يَعْلَمَ وُضُوءَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَهُوَ هَذَا .
It was narrated that 'Abd Khair said:
"We came to 'Ali bin Abi Talib, may Allah be pleased with him, and he had prayed. He called for water and we said: 'What is he going to do with it when he has (already) prayed? He only wants to teach us.' A vessel of water and a basin were brought to him. He poured some water onto his hand and washed it three times, then he rinsed his mouth and nose three times from the hand with which he took the water. Then he washed his face three times, and he washed his right hand three times, and his left hand three times, and wiped his head once, then he washed his right foot three times and his left foot three times. Then he said: 'Whoever would like to learn how the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) did Wudu', this is it.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa’i
Arabic/English book reference : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 92
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/urn/1000920
The above is also reported in Musnad Ahmad (1078) and Sunan Al-Darimi (696)
Washing the face
After this the face should be washed.
Washing with both the hands
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو سَلَمَةَ الْخُزَاعِيُّ، مَنْصُورُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ بِلاَلٍ ـ يَعْنِي سُلَيْمَانَ ـ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّهُ تَوَضَّأَ فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَمَضْمَضَ بِهَا وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَجَعَلَ بِهَا هَكَذَا، أَضَافَهَا إِلَى يَدِهِ الأُخْرَى، فَغَسَلَ بِهِمَا وَجْهَهُ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَغَسَلَ بِهَا يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَغَسَلَ بِهَا يَدَهُ الْيُسْرَى، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ فَرَشَّ عَلَى رِجْلِهِ الْيُمْنَى حَتَّى غَسَلَهَا، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً أُخْرَى، فَغَسَلَ بِهَا رِجْلَهُ ـ يَعْنِي الْيُسْرَى ـ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَكَذَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ.
Narrated `Ata' bin Yasar:
Ibn `Abbas performed ablution and washed his face (in the following way): He ladled out a handful of water, rinsed his mouth and washed his nose with it by putting in water and then blowing it out. He then, took another handful (of water) and did like this (gesturing) joining both hands, and washed his face, took another handful of water and washed his right forearm. He again took another handful of water and washed his left forearm, and passed wet hands over his head and took another handful of water and poured it over his right foot (up to his ankles) and washed it thoroughly and similarly took another handful of water and washed thoroughly his left foot (up to the ankles) and said, "I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) performing ablution in this way."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 140
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 6
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 142
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/4/6
Washing with one hand
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، شَهِدْتُ عَمْرَو بْنَ أَبِي حَسَنٍ سَأَلَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ زَيْدٍ عَنْ وُضُوءِ النَّبِيِّ، صلى الله عليه وسلم فَدَعَا بِتَوْرٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَتَوَضَّأَ لَهُمْ وُضُوءَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَكْفَأَ عَلَى يَدِهِ مِنَ التَّوْرِ، فَغَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فِي التَّوْرِ، فَمَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْشَقَ وَاسْتَنْثَرَ ثَلاَثَ غَرَفَاتٍ، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فَغَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ مَرَّتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فَمَسَحَ رَأْسَهُ، فَأَقْبَلَ بِهِمَا وَأَدْبَرَ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ.
Narrated `Amr:
My father saw `Amr bin Abi Hasan asking `Abdullah bin Zaid about the ablution of the Prophet. `Abdullah bin Zaid asked for earthenware pot containing water and in front of them performed ablution like that of the Prophet (ﷺ) . He poured water from the pot over his hand and washed his hands thrice and then he put his hands in the pot and rinsed his mouth and washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out with three handfuls of water. Again he put his hand in the water and washed his face thrice and washed his forearms up to the elbows twice; and then put his hands in the water and then passed them over his head by bringing them to the front and then to the rear of the head once, and then he washed his feet up to the ankles.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 186
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 52
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 186
URL reference : http://sunnah.com/bukhari/4/52
Washing the beard by digging underneath it
When bearded people wash their face, they have to wash their beards with their fingers going through. Because the Prophet (s.a.w.s.) did so.
“….. I said: Messenger of Allah, tell me about ablution. He said: Perform ablution in full and make the fingers go through the beard and snuff with water well except when you are fasting.”
Grad : Sahih (Al-Albani) صحيح (الألباني) حكم :
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 142
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 142
English translation : Book 1, Hadith 142
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/abudawud:142
Similar report by Aisha (r.a.) also found at Musnad Ahmad 24779
Washing both hands up to the elbow
After washing the face, one should wash both hands up to the elbows.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأُوَيْسِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَنَّ عَطَاءَ بْنَ يَزِيدَ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ حُمْرَانَ مَوْلَى عُثْمَانَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، رَأَى عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ دَعَا بِإِنَاءٍ، فَأَفْرَغَ عَلَى كَفَّيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ فَغَسَلَهُمَا، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَمِينَهُ فِي الإِنَاءِ فَمَضْمَضَ، وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا، وَيَدَيْهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا، ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، لاَ يُحَدِّثُ فِيهِمَا نَفْسَهُ، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ".
Narrated Humran:
(the slave of 'Uthman) I saw 'Uthman bin 'Affan asking for a tumbler of water (and when it was brought) he poured water over his hands and washed them thrice and then put his right hand in the water container and rinsed his mouth, washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out. then he washed his face and forearms up to the elbows thrice, passed his wet hands over his head and washed his feet up to the ankles thrice. Then he said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said 'If anyone performs ablution like that of mine and offers a two-rak'at prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to the present prayer) then his past sins will be forgiven.' "
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 159
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 25
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 161
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:159
Washing face, hands and feet significantly
When washing the face, wash the face thoroughly; When washing your hands, it is also advisable to wash beyond the elbows. It is not mandatory.
حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ بُكَيْرٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا اللَّيْثُ، عَنْ خَالِدٍ، عَنْ سَعِيدِ بْنِ أَبِي هِلاَلٍ، عَنْ نُعَيْمٍ الْمُجْمِرِ، قَالَ رَقِيتُ مَعَ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ عَلَى ظَهْرِ الْمَسْجِدِ، فَتَوَضَّأَ فَقَالَ إِنِّي سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " إِنَّ أُمَّتِي يُدْعَوْنَ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ غُرًّا مُحَجَّلِينَ مِنْ آثَارِ الْوُضُوءِ، فَمَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ مِنْكُمْ أَنْ يُطِيلَ غُرَّتَهُ فَلْيَفْعَلْ ".
Narrated Nu`am Al-Mujmir:
Once I went up the roof of the mosque, along with Abu Huraira. He perform ablution and said, "I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, "On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called "Al-Ghurr-ul- Muhajjalun" from the trace of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e. by performing ablution regularly).' "
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 136
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 2
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 138
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:136
-وعن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال: سمعت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يقول: "إن أمتي يدعون يوم القيامة غرًا محجلين من آثار الوضوء فمن استطاع منكم أن يطيل غرته، فليفعل" ((متفق عليه)).
Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported:
I heard the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) saying: "On the Day of Resurrection, my followers (or Ummah) will be summoned 'Al-Ghurr Al-Muhajjalun' from the traces of Wudu'. Whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so."
[Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
Reference : Riyad as-Salihin 1024
In-book reference : Book 8, Hadith 34
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/riyadussalihin:1024
So it is best to wash the face, hands and feet extensively when washing.
Doing ‘Masah’ on the head
After washing both hands, pass the wet hands over the head. This is called ‘Masah’.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ يَحْيَى الْمَازِنِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، قَالَ لِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ ـ وَهُوَ جَدُّ عَمْرِو بْنِ يَحْيَى ـ أَتَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تُرِيَنِي، كَيْفَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زَيْدٍ نَعَمْ. فَدَعَا بِمَاءٍ، فَأَفْرَغَ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ فَغَسَلَ يَدَهُ مَرَّتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ مَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْثَرَ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ مَرَّتَيْنِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ رَأْسَهُ بِيَدَيْهِ، فَأَقْبَلَ بِهِمَا وَأَدْبَرَ، بَدَأَ بِمُقَدَّمِ رَأْسِهِ، حَتَّى ذَهَبَ بِهِمَا إِلَى قَفَاهُ، ثُمَّ رَدَّهُمَا إِلَى الْمَكَانِ الَّذِي بَدَأَ مِنْهُ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ.
Narrated Yahya Al-Mazini:
A person asked `Abdullah bin Zaid who was the grandfather of `Amr bin Yahya, "Can you show me how Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to perform ablution?" `Abdullah bin Zaid replied in the affirmative and asked for water. He poured it on his hands and washed them twice, then he rinsed his mouth thrice and washed his nose with water thrice by putting water in it and blowing it out. He washed his face thrice and after that he washed his forearms up to the elbows twice and then passed his wet hands over his head from its front to its back and vice versa (beginning from the front and taking them to the back of his head up to the nape of the neck and then brought them to the front again from where he had started) and washed his feet (up to the ankles).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 185
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 51
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 185
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:185
وَحَدَّثَنَاهُ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ يَحْيَى بْنَ سَعِيدٍ، بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ وَقَالَ فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ وَيَدَيْهِ وَمَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ ثُمَّ مَسَحَ عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ .
This hadith has been transmitted with the same chain of transmitters by Yahya b. Sa'id with the addition of these words:
" He washed his face and hands, and wiped his head and then wiped his socks."
Reference : Sahih Muslim 274b
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 94
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 525
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/muslim:274b
This is the method of ‘Masah’ shown by the Prophet (s.a.w.s.). Women should do ‘Masah’ up to the nape (neck scruff) portion similar to men.
According to some from Shafi'i Madhhab, it is enough to touch only a small part of the hair on the head with one finger, and some from Hanafi Madhhab says that it is enough to massage a quarter of the head. There is no evidence for this in the Prophetic traditions.
How many times one has to do ‘Masah’?
The ‘Masah’ can be done to the head once or twice.
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا وُهَيْبٌ، عَنْ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، شَهِدْتُ عَمْرَو بْنَ أَبِي حَسَنٍ سَأَلَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ زَيْدٍ عَنْ وُضُوءِ النَّبِيِّ، صلى الله عليه وسلم فَدَعَا بِتَوْرٍ مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَتَوَضَّأَ لَهُمْ وُضُوءَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَأَكْفَأَ عَلَى يَدِهِ مِنَ التَّوْرِ، فَغَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فِي التَّوْرِ، فَمَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْشَقَ وَاسْتَنْثَرَ ثَلاَثَ غَرَفَاتٍ، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فَغَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ مَرَّتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَدَهُ فَمَسَحَ رَأْسَهُ، فَأَقْبَلَ بِهِمَا وَأَدْبَرَ مَرَّةً وَاحِدَةً، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ.
Narrated `Amr:
My father saw `Amr bin Abi Hasan asking `Abdullah bin Zaid about the ablution of the Prophet. `Abdullah bin Zaid asked for earthenware pot containing water and in front of them performed ablution like that of the Prophet (ﷺ) . He poured water from the pot over his hand and washed his hands thrice and then he put his hands in the pot and rinsed his mouth and washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out with three handfuls of water. Again he put his hand in the water and washed his face thrice and washed his forearms up to the elbows twice; and then put his hands in the water and then passed them over his head by bringing them to the front and then to the rear of the head once, and then he washed his feet up to the ankles.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 186
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 52
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 186
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:186
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، - الَّذِي أُرِيَ النِّدَاءَ - قَالَ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَوَضَّأَ فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا وَيَدَيْهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَغَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ وَمَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ .
It was narrated that 'Abdullah bin Zaid, who was shown the call to prayer (in a dream), said:
"I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) perform Wudu'; he washed his face three times and his hands twice, he washed his feet twice and wiped his head twice."
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 99
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 99
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 99
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/nasai:99
Doing ‘Masah’ to the ears
It is the way of the Prophet to do ‘Masah’ for both the ears as well while doing ‘Masah’ to the head.
أَخْبَرَنَا الْهَيْثَمُ بْنُ أَيُّوبَ الطَّالَقَانِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَوَضَّأَ فَغَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ ثُمَّ تَمَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْشَقَ مِنْ غَرْفَةٍ وَاحِدَةٍ وَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ وَغَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ مَرَّةً مَرَّةً وَمَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ وَأُذُنَيْهِ مَرَّةً . قَالَ عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ وَأَخْبَرَنِي مَنْ سَمِعَ ابْنَ عَجْلاَنَ يَقُولُ فِي ذَلِكَ وَغَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ .
It was narrated that Ibn 'Abbas said:
"I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) performing Wudu'. He washed his hands, then he rinsed his mouth and nose with one handful of water, washed his face, washed each hand once, and wiped his head and ears once." (One of the narrators) 'Abdul-'Aziz said: "Someone who heard from Ibn 'Ajlan told me that he said concerning that: 'And he washed his feet.'"
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 101
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 101
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 101
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/nasai:101
Should ‘Masah’ be done to the nape (neck scruff) portion?
Some people do ‘Masah’ on the nape (neck scruff) portion, just like they do ‘Masah’ to the head. There is no proof to support this.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحِيمِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو سَلَمَةَ الْخُزَاعِيُّ، مَنْصُورُ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا ابْنُ بِلاَلٍ ـ يَعْنِي سُلَيْمَانَ ـ عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، أَنَّهُ تَوَضَّأَ فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَمَضْمَضَ بِهَا وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَجَعَلَ بِهَا هَكَذَا، أَضَافَهَا إِلَى يَدِهِ الأُخْرَى، فَغَسَلَ بِهِمَا وَجْهَهُ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَغَسَلَ بِهَا يَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ، فَغَسَلَ بِهَا يَدَهُ الْيُسْرَى، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً مِنْ مَاءٍ فَرَشَّ عَلَى رِجْلِهِ الْيُمْنَى حَتَّى غَسَلَهَا، ثُمَّ أَخَذَ غَرْفَةً أُخْرَى، فَغَسَلَ بِهَا رِجْلَهُ ـ يَعْنِي الْيُسْرَى ـ ثُمَّ قَالَ هَكَذَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ.
Narrated `Ata' bin Yasar:
Ibn `Abbas performed ablution and washed his face (in the following way): He ladled out a handful of water, rinsed his mouth and washed his nose with it by putting in water and then blowing it out. He then, took another handful (of water) and did like this (gesturing) joining both hands, and washed his face, took another handful of water and washed his right forearm. He again took another handful of water and washed his left forearm, and passed wet hands over his head and took another handful of water and poured it over his right foot (up to his ankles) and washed it thoroughly and similarly took another handful of water and washed thoroughly his left foot (up to the ankles) and said, "I saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) performing ablution in this way."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 140
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 6
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 142
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:140
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأُوَيْسِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَنَّ عَطَاءَ بْنَ يَزِيدَ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ حُمْرَانَ مَوْلَى عُثْمَانَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، رَأَى عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ دَعَا بِإِنَاءٍ، فَأَفْرَغَ عَلَى كَفَّيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ فَغَسَلَهُمَا، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَمِينَهُ فِي الإِنَاءِ فَمَضْمَضَ، وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا، وَيَدَيْهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا، ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، لاَ يُحَدِّثُ فِيهِمَا نَفْسَهُ، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ".
Narrated Humran:
(the slave of 'Uthman) I saw 'Uthman bin 'Affan asking for a tumbler of water (and when it was brought) he poured water over his hands and washed them thrice and then put his right hand in the water container and rinsed his mouth, washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out. then he washed his face and forearms up to the elbows thrice, passed his wet hands over his head and washed his feet up to the ankles thrice. Then he said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said 'If anyone performs ablution like that of mine and offers a two-rak'at prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to the present prayer) then his past sins will be forgiven.' "
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 159
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 25
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 161
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:159
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الْيَمَانِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا شُعَيْبٌ، عَنِ الزُّهْرِيِّ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي عَطَاءُ بْنُ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ حُمْرَانَ، مَوْلَى عُثْمَانَ بْنِ عَفَّانَ أَنَّهُ رَأَى عُثْمَانَ دَعَا بِوَضُوءٍ، فَأَفْرَغَ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ مِنْ إِنَائِهِ، فَغَسَلَهُمَا ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَمِينَهُ فِي الْوَضُوءِ، ثُمَّ تَمَضْمَضَ، وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، وَاسْتَنْثَرَ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا وَيَدَيْهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ كُلَّ رِجْلٍ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ قَالَ رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا وَقَالَ " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، لاَ يُحَدِّثُ فِيهِمَا نَفْسَهُ، غَفَرَ اللَّهُ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ".
Narrated Humran:
(the freed slave of `Uthman bin `Affan) I saw `Uthman bin `Affan asking (for a tumbler of water) to perform ablution (and when it was brought) he poured water from it over his hands and washed them thrice and then put his right hand in the water container and rinsed his mouth and washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out. Then he washed his face thrice and (then) forearms up to the elbows thrice, then passed his wet hands over his head and then washed each foot thrice. After that `Uthman said, "I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) performing ablution like this of mine, and he said, 'If anyone performs ablution like that of mine and offers a two-rak`at prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to the present prayer) then his past sins will be forgiven. '
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 164
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 30
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 165
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:164
How many times should one wash?
All other things, except the ‘Masah’ for head, can be done once, or twice, or three times.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ زَيْدِ بْنِ أَسْلَمَ، عَنْ عَطَاءِ بْنِ يَسَارٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ عَبَّاسٍ، قَالَ تَوَضَّأَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَرَّةً مَرَّةً.
Narrated Ibn `Abbas:
The Prophet (ﷺ) performed ablution by washing the body parts only once.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 157
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 23
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 159
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:157
حَدَّثَنَا حُسَيْنُ بْنُ عِيسَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يُونُسُ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا فُلَيْحُ بْنُ سُلَيْمَانَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ أَبِي بَكْرِ بْنِ عَمْرِو بْنِ حَزْمٍ، عَنْ عَبَّادِ بْنِ تَمِيمٍ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَوَضَّأَ مَرَّتَيْنِ مَرَّتَيْنِ.
Narrated `Abdullah bin Zaid:
The Prophet (ﷺ) performed ablution by washing the body parts twice.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 158
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 24
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 160
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:158
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْعَزِيزِ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الأُوَيْسِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ سَعْدٍ، عَنِ ابْنِ شِهَابٍ، أَنَّ عَطَاءَ بْنَ يَزِيدَ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّ حُمْرَانَ مَوْلَى عُثْمَانَ أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، رَأَى عُثْمَانَ بْنَ عَفَّانَ دَعَا بِإِنَاءٍ، فَأَفْرَغَ عَلَى كَفَّيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ فَغَسَلَهُمَا، ثُمَّ أَدْخَلَ يَمِينَهُ فِي الإِنَاءِ فَمَضْمَضَ، وَاسْتَنْشَقَ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا، وَيَدَيْهِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ ثَلاَثَ مِرَارٍ إِلَى الْكَعْبَيْنِ، ثُمَّ قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ نَحْوَ وُضُوئِي هَذَا، ثُمَّ صَلَّى رَكْعَتَيْنِ، لاَ يُحَدِّثُ فِيهِمَا نَفْسَهُ، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ ".
Narrated Humran:
(the slave of 'Uthman) I saw 'Uthman bin 'Affan asking for a tumbler of water (and when it was brought) he poured water over his hands and washed them thrice and then put his right hand in the water container and rinsed his mouth, washed his nose by putting water in it and then blowing it out. then he washed his face and forearms up to the elbows thrice, passed his wet hands over his head and washed his feet up to the ankles thrice. Then he said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said 'If anyone performs ablution like that of mine and offers a two-rak'at prayer during which he does not think of anything else (not related to the present prayer) then his past sins will be forgiven.' "
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 159
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 25
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 161
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:159
So washing each organ once, twice, thrice as well is a Prophetic way. For one’s convenience, you can practice anything from these you prefer.
Even within a wudhu, we can perform as we prefer. Washing face twice, hands thrice, the feet can be washed once as well.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا مَالِكٌ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ يَحْيَى الْمَازِنِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، قَالَ لِعَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ زَيْدٍ ـ وَهُوَ جَدُّ عَمْرِو بْنِ يَحْيَى ـ أَتَسْتَطِيعُ أَنْ تُرِيَنِي، كَيْفَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ فَقَالَ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ زَيْدٍ نَعَمْ. فَدَعَا بِمَاءٍ، فَأَفْرَغَ عَلَى يَدَيْهِ فَغَسَلَ يَدَهُ مَرَّتَيْنِ، ثُمَّ مَضْمَضَ وَاسْتَنْثَرَ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ يَدَيْهِ مَرَّتَيْنِ مَرَّتَيْنِ إِلَى الْمِرْفَقَيْنِ، ثُمَّ مَسَحَ رَأْسَهُ بِيَدَيْهِ، فَأَقْبَلَ بِهِمَا وَأَدْبَرَ، بَدَأَ بِمُقَدَّمِ رَأْسِهِ، حَتَّى ذَهَبَ بِهِمَا إِلَى قَفَاهُ، ثُمَّ رَدَّهُمَا إِلَى الْمَكَانِ الَّذِي بَدَأَ مِنْهُ، ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ.
Narrated Yahya Al-Mazini:
A person asked `Abdullah bin Zaid who was the grandfather of `Amr bin Yahya, "Can you show me how Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to perform ablution?" `Abdullah bin Zaid replied in the affirmative and asked for water. He poured it on his hands and washed them twice, then he rinsed his mouth thrice and washed his nose with water thrice by putting water in it and blowing it out. He washed his face thrice and after that he washed his forearms up to the elbows twice and then passed his wet hands over his head from its front to its back and vice versa (beginning from the front and taking them to the back of his head up to the nape of the neck and then brought them to the front again from where he had started) and washed his feet (up to the ankles).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 185
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 51
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 185
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:185
حَدَّثَنَا هَارُونُ بْنُ مَعْرُوفٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي هَارُونُ بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الأَيْلِيُّ، وَأَبُو الطَّاهِرِ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ، أَخْبَرَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، أَنَّ حَبَّانَ بْنَ وَاسِعٍ، حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّ أَبَاهُ حَدَّثَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ عَبْدَ اللَّهِ بْنَ زَيْدِ بْنِ عَاصِمٍ الْمَازِنِيَّ، يَذْكُرُ أَنَّهُ رَأَى رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم تَوَضَّأَ فَمَضْمَضَ ثُمَّ اسْتَنْثَرَ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا وَيَدَهُ الْيُمْنَى ثَلاَثًا وَالأُخْرَى ثَلاَثًا وَمَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ بِمَاءٍ غَيْرِ فَضْلِ يَدِهِ وَغَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ حَتَّى أَنْقَاهُمَا . قَالَ أَبُو الطَّاهِرِ حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ وَهْبٍ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ الْحَارِثِ .
'Abdullah b. Zaid b. 'Asim al-Mazini reported:
He saw Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) perform the ablution. He rinsed his mouth then cleaned his nose, then washed his face three times, then washed his right hand thrice and then the other one, thrice. He then took fresh water and wiped his head and then washed his feet till he cleaned them.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 236
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 26
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 457
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/muslim:236
Do not wash more than thrice
We have seen that each organ can be washed a maximum of three times during wudhu. It is forbidden to wash more than three times.
أَخْبَرَنَا مَحْمُودُ بْنُ غَيْلاَنَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَعْلَى، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ أَبِي عَائِشَةَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ جَاءَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَسْأَلُهُ عَنِ الْوُضُوءِ فَأَرَاهُ الْوُضُوءَ ثَلاَثًا ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ " هَكَذَا الْوُضُوءُ فَمَنْ زَادَ عَلَى هَذَا فَقَدْ أَسَاءَ وَتَعَدَّى وَظَلَمَ " .
It was narrated from 'Amr bin Shu'aib, from his father, that his grandfather said:
"A Bedouin came to the Prophet (ﷺ) to ask him about Wudu', so he showed him how to perform Wudu', washing each part three times, then he said: 'This is Wudu'. Whoever does more than that has done badly, done to extremes and done wrong.'"
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 140
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 141
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 140
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/nasai:140
حَدَّثَنَا عَلِيُّ بْنُ مُحَمَّدٍ، حَدَّثَنَا خَالِي، يَعْلَى عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ أَبِي عَائِشَةَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، قَالَ جَاءَ أَعْرَابِيٌّ إِلَى النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ فَسَأَلَهُ عَنِ الْوُضُوءِ فَأَرَاهُ ثَلاَثًا ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ " هَذَا الْوُضُوءُ فَمَنْ زَادَ عَلَى هَذَا فَقَدْ أَسَاءَ وَتَعَدَّى أَوْ ظَلَمَ " .
It was narrated from 'Amr bin Shu'aib from his father, from his grandfather, that:
A Bedouin came to the Prophet and asked him about ablution. He showed him how to perform it washing each part of the body three times. Then he said: 'This is the ablution, and whoever does more than this, has done evil, transgressed the limits and wronged himself.'"
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 422
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 156
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 422
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:422
حَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَوَانَةَ، عَنْ مُوسَى بْنِ أَبِي عَائِشَةَ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ شُعَيْبٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ جَدِّهِ، أَنَّ رَجُلاً، أَتَى النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ كَيْفَ الطُّهُورُ فَدَعَا بِمَاءٍ فِي إِنَاءٍ فَغَسَلَ كَفَّيْهِ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ غَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ غَسَلَ ذِرَاعَيْهِ ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ مَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ فَأَدْخَلَ إِصْبَعَيْهِ السَّبَّاحَتَيْنِ فِي أُذُنَيْهِ وَمَسَحَ بِإِبْهَامَيْهِ عَلَى ظَاهِرِ أُذُنَيْهِ وَبِالسَّبَّاحَتَيْنِ بَاطِنَ أُذُنَيْهِ ثُمَّ غَسَلَ رِجْلَيْهِ ثَلاَثًا ثَلاَثًا ثُمَّ قَالَ " هَكَذَا الْوُضُوءُ فَمَنْ زَادَ عَلَى هَذَا أَوْ نَقَصَ فَقَدْ أَسَاءَ وَظَلَمَ " . أَوْ " ظَلَمَ وَأَسَاءَ " .
حسن صحيح دون قوله أو نقص فإنه شاذ (الألباني) حكم :
Narrated Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As:
A man came to the Prophet (ﷺ) and asked him: Messenger of Allah, how is the ablution (to performed)?
He (the Prophet) then called for water in a vessel and washed his hands up to the wrists three times, then washed his face three times, and washed his forearms three times. He then wiped his head and inserted both his index fingers in his ear-holes; he wiped the back of his ears with his thumbs and the front of his ears with the index fingers. He then washed his feet three times.
Then he said: This is how ablution should be performed. If anyone does more or less than this, he has done wrong and transgressed, or (said) transgressed and done wrong.
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 135
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 135
English translation : Book 1, Hadith 135
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/abudawud:135
Performing in sequence
It is the Prophetic Way to do the above things in the above sequence. This is what the Prophet (pbuh) did in this sequence. This can be seen from the hadiths being quoted above.
Doing ‘Masah’ on socks
We have previously seen with appropriate proofs that, while doing wudhu the last step is to wash both legs up to the feet.
The exception to this rule is that, those who wear socks without washing their feet can just rub the top of the socks by the wet hand.
حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الْوَهَّابِ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ يَحْيَى بْنَ سَعِيدٍ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنِي سَعْدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، أَنَّ نَافِعَ بْنَ جُبَيْرِ بْنِ مُطْعِمٍ، أَخْبَرَهُ أَنَّهُ، سَمِعَ عُرْوَةَ بْنَ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ شُعْبَةَ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ بْنِ شُعْبَةَ، أَنَّهُ كَانَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ، وَأَنَّهُ ذَهَبَ لِحَاجَةٍ لَهُ، وَأَنَّ مُغِيرَةَ جَعَلَ يَصُبُّ الْمَاءَ عَلَيْهِ، وَهُوَ يَتَوَضَّأُ، فَغَسَلَ وَجْهَهُ وَيَدَيْهِ وَمَسَحَ بِرَأْسِهِ وَمَسَحَ عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ.
Narrated Al-Mughira bin Shu`ba:
I was in the company of Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) on one of the journeys and he went out to answer the call of nature (and after he finished) I poured water and he performed ablution; he washed his face, forearms and passed his wet hand over his head and over the two Khuff (socks made from thick fabric or leather).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 182
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 48
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 182
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:182
The above is also mentioned in another Sahih Muslim hadith (Reference: Sahih Muslim 274, In-book reference: Book 4, Hadith 114, USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 4, Hadith 848)
Can women do ‘Masah’ on socks?
Some say that women should not do ‘Masah’ on socks. This is wrong. Any worship that the Prophet (pbuh) performed was for both genders. If not for women, then the Prophet (pbuh) should have told them that. The fact that it is not stated in the hadiths is sufficient evidence that this privilege applies to women as well.
Also being allowed to do ‘Masah’ on the socks, is for the inconvenience of removing them! This privilege also becomes a common one because that difficulty as well is common to both genders.
Conditions for doing ‘Masah’ on socks
There are certain conditions to this privilege that men and women can massage on socks without washing their feet.
The first condition is that the feet should be washed before wearing socks.
حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا زَكَرِيَّاءُ، عَنْ عَامِرٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ بْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ كُنْتُ مَعَ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي سَفَرٍ، فَأَهْوَيْتُ لأَنْزِعَ خُفَّيْهِ فَقَالَ " دَعْهُمَا، فَإِنِّي أَدْخَلْتُهُمَا طَاهِرَتَيْنِ ". فَمَسَحَ عَلَيْهِمَا.
Narrated `Urwa bin Al-Mughira:
My father said, "Once I was in the company of the Prophet (ﷺ) on a journey and I dashed to take off his Khuffs (socks made from thick fabric or leather). He ordered me to leave them as he had put them after performing ablution. So he passed wet hands over them.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 206
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 72
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 205
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:206
The above is also mentioned in another Sahih Muslim hadith (Reference: Sahih Muslim 274f,
In-book reference: Book 2, Hadith 98, USC-MSA web (English) reference: Book 2, Hadith 529)
We can learn from these hadiths that the feet should be clean before wearing socks.
If any of the dirts are clearly visible on the feet and the pants are worn over it, the ‘Masah’ cannot be done. Be sure to be in a state of wudhu(ablution) when wearing socks.
Both indicates that one has to be clean.
Let’s say one washes the feet during wudhu. If the person wears the socks immediately, then he/she can do ‘Masah’ on the socks without washing feet while doing wudhu. After that he/she can do ‘Masah’ on the socks without washing the feet even after urination/defecation activity.
Let’s say a person is doing wudhu at Dhuhr prayer time. During which the person washes the feet as well. After this, until Asr prayer, let’s say nothing happened that which can invalidate the wudhu. In this particular state, if that person wears socks during Asr prayer, then that person can as well do ‘Masah’ on the socks after this. It is not mandatory that one has to wash the feet, just before wearing the socks only. It is only essential that the person in a state of wudhu at the time when wearing the ‘socks’.
Duration of the concession
With wudhu (ablution), in a state where one is wearing socks without impurity as well, it is not allowed to do ‘Masah’ on socks for all the time ever ahead.
One should remove the socks and wash the feet at least once a day. If a person wears the socks at 10 am today, then that person does not need to wash the feet, no matter how many times he does wudhu (ablution) until 10 am tomorrow. It is sufficient to do ‘Masah’ upon the socks. After 24 hours, the feet should be washed and the socks should be worn after doing the wudhu (ablution).
There is an additional concession in this for the travellers. If they wear pants with wudhu (ablution), then three days beginning from the time of wearing the pants (72 hours), one can perform ‘masah on the socks without removing the socks. For travelers in travel beyond three days while performing wudhu has to wash the feet and then wear socks with the wudhu.
وَحَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ الْحَنْظَلِيُّ، أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، أَخْبَرَنَا الثَّوْرِيُّ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ قَيْسٍ الْمُلاَئِيِّ، عَنِ الْحَكَمِ بْنِ عُتَيْبَةَ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُخَيْمِرَةَ، عَنْ شُرَيْحِ بْنِ هَانِئٍ، قَالَ أَتَيْتُ عَائِشَةَ أَسْأَلُهَا عَنِ الْمَسْحِ، عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ فَقَالَتْ عَلَيْكَ بِابْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ فَسَلْهُ فَإِنَّهُ كَانَ يُسَافِرُ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم . فَسَأَلْنَاهُ فَقَالَ جَعَلَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَيَالِيَهُنَّ لِلْمُسَافِرِ وَيَوْمًا وَلَيْلَةً لِلْمُقِيمِ . قَالَ وَكَانَ سُفْيَانُ إِذَا ذَكَرَ عَمْرًا أَثْنَى عَلَيْهِ .
Shuraih b. Hani said:
I came to 'A'isha to ask her about wiping over the socks. She said: You better ask ('Ali) son of Abu Talib for he used to travel with Allah's Messenger (ﷺ). We asked him and he said: The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) stipulated (the upper limit) of three days and three nights for a traveller and one day and one night for the resident.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 276a
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 105
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 537
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/muslim:276a
This concession does not apply when the bath is obligatory
If bathing becomes obligatory, socks should be removed during bathing. While performing the obligatory bath after washing the whole body, if one does ‘masah’ on the socks without washing the legs, then the obligatory bath is not fulfilled.
حَدَّثَنَا هَنَّادٌ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو الأَحْوَصِ، عَنْ عَاصِمِ بْنِ أَبِي النَّجُودِ، عَنْ زِرِّ بْنِ حُبَيْشٍ، عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ عَسَّالٍ، قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَأْمُرُنَا إِذَا كُنَّا سَفْرًا أَنْ لاَ نَنْزِعَ خِفَافَنَا ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَيَالِيَهُنَّ إِلاَّ مِنْ جَنَابَةٍ وَلَكِنْ مِنْ غَائِطٍ وَبَوْلٍ وَنَوْمٍ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ حَسَنٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَقَدْ رَوَى الْحَكَمُ بْنُ عُتَيْبَةَ وَحَمَّادٌ عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ النَّخَعِيِّ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْجَدَلِيِّ عَنْ خُزَيْمَةَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ وَلاَ يَصِحُّ . قَالَ عَلِيُّ بْنُ الْمَدِينِيِّ قَالَ يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ قَالَ شُعْبَةُ لَمْ يَسْمَعْ إِبْرَاهِيمُ النَّخَعِيُّ مِنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْجَدَلِيِّ حَدِيثَ الْمَسْحِ . وَقَالَ زَائِدَةُ عَنْ مَنْصُورٍ كُنَّا فِي حُجْرَةِ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيِّ وَمَعَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ النَّخَعِيُّ فَحَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ التَّيْمِيُّ عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ مَيْمُونٍ عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ اللَّهِ الْجَدَلِيِّ عَنْ خُزَيْمَةَ بْنِ ثَابِتٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم فِي الْمَسْحِ عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ . قَالَ مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِسْمَاعِيلَ أَحْسَنُ شَيْءٍ فِي هَذَا الْبَابِ حَدِيثُ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ عَسَّالٍ الْمُرَادِيِّ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَهُوَ قَوْلُ أَكْثَرِ الْعُلَمَاءِ مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم وَالتَّابِعِينَ وَمَنْ بَعْدَهُمْ مِنَ الْفُقَهَاءِ مِثْلِ سُفْيَانَ الثَّوْرِيِّ وَابْنِ الْمُبَارَكِ وَالشَّافِعِيِّ وَأَحْمَدَ وَإِسْحَاقَ قَالُوا يَمْسَحُ الْمُقِيمُ يَوْمًا وَلَيْلَةً وَالْمُسَافِرُ ثَلاَثَةَ أَيَّامٍ وَلَيَالِيَهُنَّ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَقَدْ رُوِيَ عَنْ بَعْضِ أَهْلِ الْعِلْمِ أَنَّهُمْ لَمْ يُوَقِّتُوا فِي الْمَسْحِ عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ وَهُوَ قَوْلُ مَالِكِ بْنِ أَنَسٍ . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى وَالتَّوْقِيتُ أَصَحُّ . وَقَدْ رُوِيَ هَذَا الْحَدِيثُ عَنْ صَفْوَانَ بْنِ عَسَّالٍ أَيْضًا مِنْ غَيْرِ حَدِيثِ عَاصِمٍ .
Safwan bin Assal narrated:
'When we were traveling, Allah's Messenger would order us not to remove our Khuff for three days and nights, except for Janabah, but not for defecating, urinating, and sleep."
Grade : Hasan (Darussalam)
Reference : Jami` at-Tirmidhi 96
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 96
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 96
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/tirmidhi:96
The above is also reported at Sunan Ibn Majah 478, Sunan an-Nasa'i 127, Sunan an-Nasa'i 158, Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3535 and Jami` at-Tirmidhi 3536.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ، حَدَّثَنَا حَفْصٌ، - يَعْنِي ابْنَ غِيَاثٍ - عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي إِسْحَاقَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ خَيْرٍ، عَنْ عَلِيٍّ، - رضى الله عنه - قَالَ لَوْ كَانَ الدِّينُ بِالرَّأْىِ لَكَانَ أَسْفَلُ الْخُفِّ أَوْلَى بِالْمَسْحِ مِنْ أَعْلاَهُ وَقَدْ رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَمْسَحُ عَلَى ظَاهِرِ خُفَّيْهِ .
Narrated Ali ibn AbuTalib:
If the religion were based on opinion, it would be more important to wipe the under part of the shoe than the upper but I have seen the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) wiping over the upper part of his shoes.
Grade : Sahih (Al-Albani) صحيح (الألباني) حكم :
Reference : Sunan Abi Dawud 162
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 162
English translation : Book 1, Hadith 162
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/abudawud:162
How to do ‘masah’?
In regard to the Prophet (pbuh) performing ‘masah’ to the head, we get a detailed action description through Prophet (pbuh). But, the information that he did ‘masah’ upon the upper surface of the socks; this alone is being said. On how exactly it's done, however, is not explained.
So one should perform the 'masah’ with five fingers; Should do ‘masah’ with three fingers; Some scholars have suggested that ‘masah’ should be applied to large areas of the socks. However, because no specific amount was said through the Prophet (pbuh) while saying in regard to the extent of ‘masah’; so the right to determine the extent of ‘masah’ should be left to the people itself to rub on the socks. One must not impose a ‘specific’ method, that this is how it should be done.
Apart from this, some scholars have said that socks should be of leather and many such rules. There is no evidence for this.
Massaging the top of the headgear/turban
For one who wears headgears/turbans/head-scarfs, like the concession available to perform ‘masah’ upon the socks itself; Men and women wearing headgears/turbans/head-scarfs instead of performing ‘masah’ on the head, the ‘masah’ can be done on the headgears/turbans/head-scarfs itself.
حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدَانُ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ، قَالَ أَخْبَرَنَا الأَوْزَاعِيُّ، عَنْ يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، عَنْ جَعْفَرِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَمْسَحُ عَلَى عِمَامَتِهِ وَخُفَّيْهِ. وَتَابَعَهُ مَعْمَرٌ عَنْ يَحْيَى عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ عَنْ عَمْرٍو قَالَ رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم.
Narrated Ja`far bin `Amr:
My father said, "I saw the Prophet (ﷺ) passing wet hands over his turban and Khuffs (socks made from thick fabric or leather).
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 205
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 71
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 204
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:205
Like doing ‘masah’ on top of the turban/headgear, for doing ‘masah’ upon the head veil and on the cloth placed over the head, the following hadith is the proof that such ‘masah’ can be done.
حَدَّثَنَا أُمَيَّةُ بْنُ بِسْطَامَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الأَعْلَى، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا الْمُعْتَمِرُ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي بَكْرُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ الْمُغِيرَةِ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم مَسَحَ عَلَى الْخُفَّيْنِ وَمُقَدَّمِ رَأْسِهِ وَعَلَى عِمَامَتِهِ .
Ibn Mughira narrated it from his father:
The Apostle of Allah (ﷺ) wiped over his socks and over his forehead and over his turban.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 274i
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 101
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 532
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/muslim:274i
Where we translate the word veil (head covering), the word ‘khimar’ will be used in Arabic.This word is for the head cover worn by men and the head cover worn by women as well - i.e. refers to the veil as well.
The word mentioned in the Quran in verse 24:31 refers to the veil of women.
The plural form of 'khimar’ is khumurihinna'.
In the Hadiths, Bukhari 5825, 6568, 3321, 3578, 5381, 6688, the word ‘khimar’ used refers to the veil of women.
The reason we mention this in detail is, many have written as if the act of doing ‘masah’ on the turban and headgear refers to men only. No one seems to have said that women have this concession as well.
Similar to how performing ‘masah’ on socks is a concession for both men and women. Just like that, the concession of performing ‘masah’ upon the veil worn on the head is common to both as well.
Also, there is no authentic hadith that the turban should be taken off at least once a day. The hadith in Tabrani is as follows. It was reported by Marwan alias Abu Salama. Bukhari, Ahmad bin Hambal, Ibn Abi Hatham and many others say that he is not an acceptable reporter. Therefore, those conditions specific for the socks, doesn’t exist for turbans and veils.
After performing wudhu
We have mentioned before that one should say ‘bismillah’ when starting to do wudhu. It is the way of the Prophet saws to read the following dua after completing the wudhu.
“Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu”
Meaning: “I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger”
OR
"Ashhadu an la ilaha ill-Allah was ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh“
Meaning: “I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger"
أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَلِيِّ بْنِ حَرْبٍ الْمَرْوَزِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا زَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُبَابِ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا مُعَاوِيَةُ بْنُ صَالِحٍ، عَنْ رَبِيعَةَ بْنِ يَزِيدَ، عَنْ أَبِي إِدْرِيسَ الْخَوْلاَنِيِّ، وَأَبِي، عُثْمَانَ عَنْ عُقْبَةَ بْنِ عَامِرٍ الْجُهَنِيِّ، عَنْ عُمَرَ بْنِ الْخَطَّابِ، - رضى الله عنه - قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ قَالَ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ فُتِّحَتْ لَهُ ثَمَانِيَةُ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ يَدْخُلُ مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاءَ " .
It was narrated that 'Umar bin Al-Khattab said:
"The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: 'Whoever performs Wudu' and does it well, then says: "Ashhadu an la ilaha ill-Allah was ashhadu anna Muhammadan 'abduhu wa rasuluh (I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except Allah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is his slave and Messenger)," eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him, and he may enter through whichever one he wishes.'"
Grade : Sahih (Darussalam)
Reference : Sunan an-Nasa'i 148
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 149
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 148
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/nasai:148
حَدَّثَنَا مُوسَى بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، حَدَّثَنَا الْحُسَيْنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ، وَزَيْدُ بْنُ الْحُبَابِ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يَحْيَى، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، قَالُوا حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ وَهْبٍ أَبُو سُلَيْمَانَ النَّخَعِيُّ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي زَيْدٌ الْعَمِّيُّ، عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ قَالَ " مَنْ تَوَضَّأَ فَأَحْسَنَ الْوُضُوءَ ثُمَّ قَالَ ثَلاَثَ مَرَّاتٍ أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ اللَّهُ وَحْدَهُ لاَ شَرِيكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُولُهُ فُتِحَ لَهُ ثَمَانِيَةُ أَبْوَابِ الْجَنَّةِ مِنْ أَيِّهَا شَاءَ دَخَلَ " .
قَالَ أَبُو الْحَسَنِ بْنُ سَلَمَةَ الْقَطَّانُ حَدَّثَنَا إِبْرَاهِيمُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو نُعَيْمٍ، بِنَحْوِهِ .
It was narrated from Anas bin Malik that :
The Prophet said: "Whoever performs ablution and does it well, then says three times: 'Ashhadu an la ilaha illallah wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa rasuluhu (I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped but Allah alone, with no partner, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and His Messenger),' eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him; whichever one he wants he may enter." (Da'if) Another chain with similar wording.
Reference : Sunan Ibn Majah 469
In-book reference : Book 1, Hadith 203
English translation : Vol. 1, Book 1, Hadith 469
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/ibnmajah:469
While each organ is washed, there are no separate duas for them
In the books of Shafi'i and Hanafi Madhhabs (school of thoughts), and in the publications of the Tabligh Jama'at; there are some writings that there are duas ought to be read while washing each organ. Some are even adhering to this.
There is no evidence for such duas. The Prophet (pbuh) never read any such dua while washing every organ.
The above duas are read on the basis of imagination without any evidence. This should be avoided altogether. It is bid'ah (innovation) for us to read what the Prophet (pbuh) did not teach. Fear the bid’ahs (innovations) which will lead to the hellfire.
Praying two rak'ats
Praying two rak'ats after wudu (ablution), shall reap more rewards.
وَعَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ، قَالَ قَالَ صَالِحُ بْنُ كَيْسَانَ قَالَ ابْنُ شِهَابٍ وَلَكِنْ عُرْوَةُ يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ حُمْرَانَ،، فَلَمَّا تَوَضَّأَ عُثْمَانُ قَالَ أَلاَ أُحَدِّثُكُمْ حَدِيثًا لَوْلاَ آيَةٌ مَا حَدَّثْتُكُمُوهُ، سَمِعْتُ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَقُولُ " لاَ يَتَوَضَّأُ رَجُلٌ فَيُحْسِنُ وُضُوءَهُ، وَيُصَلِّي الصَّلاَةَ إِلاَّ غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ الصَّلاَةِ حَتَّى يُصَلِّيَهَا ". قَالَ عُرْوَةُ الآيَةُ {إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنْزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ}.
After performing the ablution 'Uthman said, "I am going to tell you a Hadith which I would not have told you, had I not been compelled by a certain Holy Verse (the sub narrator 'Urwa said:
This verse is: "Verily, those who conceal the clear signs and the guidance which we have sent down...)" (2:159). I heard the Prophet (ﷺ) saying, 'If a man performs ablution perfectly and then offers the compulsory congregational prayer, Allah will forgive his sins committed between that (prayer) and the (next) prayer till he offers it.
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 160
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 26
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 161
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:160
حَدَّثَنَا إِسْحَاقُ بْنُ نَصْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَيَّانَ، عَنْ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ لِبِلاَلٍ عِنْدَ صَلاَةِ الْفَجْرِ " يَا بِلاَلُ حَدِّثْنِي بِأَرْجَى عَمَلٍ عَمِلْتَهُ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ، فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ دَفَّ نَعْلَيْكَ بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ ". قَالَ مَا عَمِلْتُ عَمَلاً أَرْجَى عِنْدِي أَنِّي لَمْ أَتَطَهَّرْ طُهُورًا فِي سَاعَةِ لَيْلٍ أَوْ نَهَارٍ إِلاَّ صَلَّيْتُ بِذَلِكَ الطُّهُورِ مَا كُتِبَ لِي أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ. قَالَ أَبُو عَبْدِ اللَّهِ دَفَّ نَعْلَيْكَ يَعْنِي تَحْرِيكَ.
Narrated Abu Huraira:
At the time of the Fajr prayer the Prophet (ﷺ) asked Bilal, "Tell me of the best deed you did after embracing Islam, for I heard your footsteps in front of me in Paradise." Bilal replied, "I did not do anything worth mentioning except that whenever I performed ablution during the day or night, I prayed after that ablution as much as was written for me."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 1149
In-book reference : Book 19, Hadith 30
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 2, Book 21, Hadith 250
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1149
حَدَّثَنَا عُبَيْدُ بْنُ يَعِيشَ، وَمُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْعَلاَءِ الْهَمْدَانِيُّ، قَالاَ حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو أُسَامَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي حَيَّانَ، ح وَحَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ - حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو حَيَّانَ التَّيْمِيُّ يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ عَنْ أَبِي زُرْعَةَ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم لِبِلاَلٍ عِنْدَ صَلاَةِ الْغَدَاةِ " يَا بِلاَلُ حَدِّثْنِي بِأَرْجَى عَمَلٍ عَمِلْتَهُ عِنْدَكَ فِي الإِسْلاَمِ مَنْفَعَةً فَإِنِّي سَمِعْتُ اللَّيْلَةَ خَشْفَ نَعْلَيْكَ بَيْنَ يَدَىَّ فِي الْجَنَّةِ " . قَالَ بِلاَلٌ مَا عَمِلْتُ عَمَلاً فِي الإِسْلاَمِ أَرْجَى عِنْدِي مَنْفَعَةً مِنْ أَنِّي لاَ أَتَطَهَّرُ طُهُورًا تَامًّا فِي سَاعَةٍ مِنْ لَيْلٍ وَلاَ نَهَارٍ إِلاَّ صَلَّيْتُ بِذَلِكَ الطُّهُورِ مَا كَتَبَ اللَّهُ لِي أَنْ أُصَلِّيَ .
Abu Huraira reported that Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said to Bilal:
Bilal, narrate to me which act at the time of morning prayer you did in Islam for which you hope to receive good reward, for I heard during the night the sound of your steps before me in Paradise. Bilal said: I did not do any act in Islam for which I hope to get any benefit but this that when I perform complete ablution during the night or day I observe prayer with that purification what Allah has ordained for me to pray.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 2458
In-book reference : Book 44, Hadith 154
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 31, Hadith 6015
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/muslim:2458
Performing many prayers with one wudu(ablution)
After performing wudu(ablution) once, until the wudu gets invalidated; one can perform as many many prayers as possible. When the time for each prayer arrives, there is no need to do wudu (again).
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ يُوسُفَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَمْرِو بْنِ عَامِرٍ، قَالَ سَمِعْتُ أَنَسًا، ح قَالَ وَحَدَّثَنَا مُسَدَّدٌ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَمْرُو بْنُ عَامِرٍ، عَنْ أَنَسٍ، قَالَ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَتَوَضَّأُ عِنْدَ كُلِّ صَلاَةٍ. قُلْتُ كَيْفَ كُنْتُمْ تَصْنَعُونَ قَالَ يُجْزِئُ أَحَدَنَا الْوُضُوءُ مَا لَمْ يُحْدِثْ.
Narrated `Amr bin `Amir:
Anas said, "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to perform ablution for every prayer." I asked Anas, "What did you used to do?' Anas replied, "We used to pray with the same ablution until we break it with Hadath."
Reference : Sahih al-Bukhari 214
In-book reference : Book 4, Hadith 80
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Vol. 1, Book 4, Hadith 213
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/bukhari:214
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ نُمَيْرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا أَبِي، حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ، عَنْ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنِ مَرْثَدٍ، ح وَحَدَّثَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، - وَاللَّفْظُ لَهُ - حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ، عَنْ سُفْيَانَ، قَالَ حَدَّثَنِي عَلْقَمَةُ بْنُ مَرْثَدٍ، عَنْ سُلَيْمَانَ بْنِ بُرَيْدَةَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَلَّى الصَّلَوَاتِ يَوْمَ الْفَتْحِ بِوُضُوءٍ وَاحِدٍ وَمَسَحَ عَلَى خُفَّيْهِ فَقَالَ لَهُ عُمَرُ لَقَدْ صَنَعْتَ الْيَوْمَ شَيْئًا لَمْ تَكُنْ تَصْنَعُهُ . قَالَ " عَمْدًا صَنَعْتُهُ يَا عُمَرُ " .
Sulaiman b. Buraida narrated it from his father that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) offered prayers with one ablution on the day of the Conquest (of Mecca) and wiped over the socks. 'Umar said to him:
You have today done something that you have not been accustomed to before. He (the Holy Prophet) said: 0 'Umar, I have done that on purpose.
Reference : Sahih Muslim 277
In-book reference : Book 2, Hadith 108
USC-MSA web (English) reference : Book 2, Hadith 540
(deprecated numbering scheme)
URL reference : https://sunnah.com/muslim:277
