QnA snapshots: Wudhu (2/7)

This is also another miracle of Islam. Every action of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is preserved for humanity and posterity through the Sahabah (radiallahu anhum) and the mothers of the Ummah (radiallahu anhuma) related to us how meticulously Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) performed the wudhu. We are the only people on the face of the earth whose Deen was preserved in this way. The first step of wudhu is the niyyah – intention. The hands including the wrists – first the right then the left – are washed thrice. Then insert water into the mouth to rinse. Thereafter water is inserted into the nose with the right hand and the nostrils are cleaned with the left hand, preferable the little finger and thumb. The face is washed properly from the hairline until below the chin and from one ear to the other three times. The arms are then washed thrice – first the right then the left – including the elbow and hands. Masah of the head is made and then the feet up to and including the ankles are cleaned thrice – – first the right then the left.

Water has three characteristics. When you wash your hands, you look at the colour of the water; if it is clean it passes the test. When you insert the water into your mouth you come to know the taste and it passes the second test. When you insert water into the nostril you come to know the smell. Once the colour, taste and smell are correct and it passes all three tests.