We give people the right protocol by keeping in mind their status and position. When I am going out to meet some friends my preparations...
We give people the right protocol by keeping in mind their status and position. When I am going out to meet some friends my preparations for the gathering will be different from when I am going to an official meeting. Similarly, we have a grand meeting with the King of kings five times each day. Do we rightfully prepare ourselves and our hearts for it? Do we even realize who we are about to converse with, and how Mighty and Exalted He is?
Allah 
has said in the Quran, “They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.” (Surah Al-Zumar 39: 67)
has said in the Quran, “They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal, while the earth entirely will be [within] His grip on the Day of Resurrection, and the heavens will be folded in His right hand. Exalted is He and high above what they associate with Him.” (Surah Al-Zumar 39: 67)
Once a Jewish scholar came to the Prophet 
and addressed him: “O Muhammad , verily, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious would carry the Heavens on the Day of Judgment upon one finger and earths upon one finger and the mountains and trees upon one finger and the ocean and moist earth upon one finger, and in fact the whole of the creation upon one finger, and then He would stir them and say: I am your Lord, I am your Lord.
and addressed him: “O Muhammad , verily, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious would carry the Heavens on the Day of Judgment upon one finger and earths upon one finger and the mountains and trees upon one finger and the ocean and moist earth upon one finger, and in fact the whole of the creation upon one finger, and then He would stir them and say: I am your Lord, I am your Lord.
Upon this the Messenger of Allah smiled, testifying what that scholar had said. He then recited the above mentioned verse. 1
smiled, testifying what that scholar had said. He then recited the above mentioned verse. 1
Before every Wudhu pause for a moment and think consciously about whom you are going to face and converse with. He is no ordinary being; He is Allah, The Mighty and Glorious. This will, insha’Allah, help us to focus during the prayers, and beautify it. Wudhu, in fact, is the mental, spiritual and physical preparation for Salah.
Wudhu – A silent dose of Conviction
To be in a state of ablution is an obligatory requirement of Salah. Prophet Muhammad told us, “The prayer of a person who does not perform ablution is not valid.” 2
told us, “The prayer of a person who does not perform ablution is not valid.” 2
However, if I do not perform Wudhu, is anybody going to know? Or is there anybody who will ask me about it? Then why bother putting my hands in the cold water. But, do any of us ever think of doing so? No!
In reality, Wudhu gives us a beautiful training and a silent dose of Imaan. It is building in us the conviction that Allah is Al- Baseer and Al- Khabeer (The All-Knowing and All-Seeing one). So what if no one knows, He does. He is the Sovereign of the Day of Judgement (Maaliki Yawm id Deen) and I shall be accountable to Him.
Tips for a perfect Wudhu
It is observed that when we make the Wudhu (ablution) nicely and with an alert mind, our prayers get much better. Alhumdulillah, we all know the manner in which the wudhu is performed. Nevertheless, anyone wanting to read a detailed description of Wudhu may read it here.
Below are some tips to help make a better Wudhu by taking care of things we may forget.
- Begin with Bismillah:
The Messenger of Allah said: “The ablution of a person who does not mention the name of Allah (in the beginning) is not valid.” 3
said: “The ablution of a person who does not mention the name of Allah (in the beginning) is not valid.” 3
The scholars have differed in whether this act is obligatory or Sunnah. 4 However, what matters is that we must try and remember to say Bismillah before we begin Wudhu.
- Wash everything thoroughly:
Make sure that you do not miss some part that needs to be washed, in a hurry to finish Wudhu. Instead, wash everything well.
Umar bin Khattab 
said that a person performed ablution and left a small part equal to the space of a nail (unwashed). The Apostle of Allah saw that and said: “Go back and perform ablution well. He then went back (performed ablution well) and offered the prayer.” 5 
said that a person performed ablution and left a small part equal to the space of a nail (unwashed). The Apostle of Allah saw that and said: “Go back and perform ablution well. He then went back (performed ablution well) and offered the prayer.” 5
Likewise, it is recommended to increase the area washed for the arms and legs as reported by Nu’aim bin Abdullah , He says: “I saw Abu Huraira perform ablution. He washed his face and washed it well. He then washed his right hand including a portion of his arm. He then washed his left hand including a portion of his arm. He then wiped his head. He then washed his right foot including his shank, and then washed his left foot including shank, and then said: This is how I saw Allah’s Messenger perform his ablution. And (Abu Huraira) added that the Messenger of Allah had observed: You shall have your faces hands and feet bright on the Day of Resurrection because of your perfect ablution. He who can afford among you, let him increase the brightness of his forehead and that of hands and legs. 6
, He says: “I saw Abu Huraira perform ablution. He washed his face and washed it well. He then washed his right hand including a portion of his arm. He then washed his left hand including a portion of his arm. He then wiped his head. He then washed his right foot including his shank, and then washed his left foot including shank, and then said: This is how I saw Allah’s Messenger perform his ablution. And (Abu Huraira) added that the Messenger of Allah had observed: You shall have your faces hands and feet bright on the Day of Resurrection because of your perfect ablution. He who can afford among you, let him increase the brightness of his forehead and that of hands and legs. 6- Make a fresh Wudhu for every Salah:
Although it is permissible to pray more than one prayer with the same wudhu (in case it does not invalidate), it is the sunnah of Prophet to perform a fresh Wudhu for every Salah. If it is possible, make Wudhu each time before praying and gain the rewards that come with it.
to perform a fresh Wudhu for every Salah. If it is possible, make Wudhu each time before praying and gain the rewards that come with it.
Anas bin Malik was once asked about ablution. He replied: “The Prophet performed ablution for each prayer and we offered (many) prayers with the same ablution.” 7
was once asked about ablution. He replied: “The Prophet performed ablution for each prayer and we offered (many) prayers with the same ablution.” 7- Use the Miswak (Siwak):
Try and use the Miswak at the time of each ablution. Allah’s Messenger 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.” 8
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.” 8- Recite the supplication after Wudhu:
Do you wish your name to be called from all eight gates of Paradise? Add this phrase of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) to your routine:
Allah’s Messenger said: “If one after performing ablution completely recites the following supplication: (Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu) ‘I testify that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah, He is Alone and has no partner and Muhammad is his slave and Messenger’, all the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter through any gate he wishes”. 9
said: “If one after performing ablution completely recites the following supplication: (Ash-hadu an la ilaha ill-Allahu wahdahu la sharika lahu, wa ash hadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa Rasuluhu) ‘I testify that there is no one worthy of worship but Allah, He is Alone and has no partner and Muhammad is his slave and Messenger’, all the eight gates of Paradise will be opened for him and he may enter through any gate he wishes”. 9
The reward for a well-performed Wudhu
As human beings, we are weak. We sin and we make mistakes. Nonetheless, Allah , the Most Forgiving (Al- Ghafoor) has opened for us many avenues to gain forgiveness, and Wudhu is one of them.
, the Most Forgiving (Al- Ghafoor) has opened for us many avenues to gain forgiveness, and Wudhu is one of them.
Allah’s Messenger said: When a Muslim or a believer washes his face (in course of ablution), every sin he contemplated with his eyes, will be washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the water or with the last drop of water with the result that he comes out pure from all sins. 10
said: When a Muslim or a believer washes his face (in course of ablution), every sin he contemplated with his eyes, will be washed away from his face along with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin they wrought will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet have walked will be washed away with the water or with the last drop of water with the result that he comes out pure from all sins. 10
May Allah make us of those who are constantly repentant and those who purify themselves. Ameen!
References:
- Bukhari and Muslim
- Abu Dawud; Sahih – http://sunnah.com/abudawud/1/101
- Abu Dawud; Sahih
- http://islamqa.info/en/21241
- Muslim – http://sunnah.com/muslim/2/43
- Muslim – http://sunnah.com/muslim/2/46
- Abu Dawud; Sahih – http://sunnah.com/abudawud/1/171
- Bukhari – http://sunnah.com/bukhari/11/12
- Muslim – http://sunnah.com/bulugh/1/66
- Muslim – http://sunnah.com/muslim/2/44
By: Umm Salih
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