Philosophy of Wudu

A Muslim is required to perform ablution (Wudhu) before Salat. Ablution prepares one mentally for Salat and it also helps concentration in prayer. It is essential to wash or moisturize these parts of the body to generate concentration because the dispersion of thoughts is due to the keenness of the body’s five senses.

The centers of the five senses are the eyes, ears, nose mouth, hands and feet. It has been proven from the expertise of neurologists that the chain of thought can be rerouted by cooling fingers of the hands and feet. They also say that concentration of thoughts can be achieved by cooling the nerv-ends. That is the Philosophy of Wudhu. A Mulim stands before his Creator by cooling nerve-ends of his body with Wudhu water and concentrating all his thoughts for the worship of the All-Mighty.

In Wudhu, we wash or moisturize the nerve-ends of the hands, feet, hair, mouth, nose and ears. All the main nerve-ends of the body are touched in Wudhu in one way or another. Perfect concentration of thoughts to create the proper worshipping atmosphere is thus attained.

As we learn from everyday experience that a person who has fainted can be brought back to his consc iousness by sprinkling water on his face, hands and feet which clearly proves our theory. That is why a Muslim is expected to achieve his external as well as internal consciousness by performing Wudhu.

Cleanliness and dirt are not compatible. Allah is clean and whosoever loves Him must be clean, externally as well as internally. Prayer, which is contact with Allah, is therefore unacceptable unless the person, who wants to contact his Lord, is clean. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W) said,

The prayer of a person who does “HADATH” (passes urine, stool or wind) is not accepted till he performs or repeats Wudhu, the ablution.

Manner of Ablution (Wudu Ka Tareeqa in Islam)

1. Washing the hands three times up to the wrist, the right hand first and then the left and wash them in such a way that no spot is left dry
2. Rinsing and gargling the mouth three times
3. Washing the nose into three times
4. Washing the face beginning from the forehead to the bottom of the chin, three times
5. Washing the forearms including the elbows three times
6. Wiping wet hands over the head from front down to the neck, then running the thumbs around the ears and wiping the inside
7. Wiping the neck with the back of wet hands
8. Washing the feet including the ankles three times. The right foot first and then the left unless socks are worn.

Here is a beautiful video animation that explains “Wudu Steps” beautifully.

The following things lapse or brake the Wudhu

1. Answering the call of nature
2. Passing the water
3. Passing the wind
4. Sleeping or dozing off while leaning against a support
5. Unconsciousness
6. Injury
7. Drawing blood
8. Vomiting

No related posts.