wudhu

Wudhu is the ritual washing performed by Muslims before prayer (salat) and also before touching the Quran. It is a purification process that cleanses the body and mind, preparing an individual for spiritual communion. The act of wudhu involves washing specific parts of the body in a prescribed order with water.

The process typically begins with the intention (niyyah) to perform wudhu for the sake of Allah. The individual then washes their hands up to the wrists three times. Following this, they rinse their mouth three times, and then sniff water into their nostrils and expel it, also three times. The face is then washed from the forehead to the chin and from ear to ear, three times.

Next, the right arm is washed up to the elbow three times, followed by the left arm up to the elbow, also three times. After washing the arms, the wet hands are passed over the head, a process called masah, which is done once. Then, the ears are cleaned with wet fingertips, and finally, the feet are washed up to the ankles, starting with the right foot and then the left, each three times.

Wudhu is considered invalid if certain conditions are met, such as the passage of urine or feces, passing of wind, deep sleep, or any state of unconsciousness. If any of these occur, wudhu must be performed again. Wudhu is a fundamental practice in Islam, emphasizing cleanliness and purity as essential elements of worship.