{The Absolute

Essentials of Islam}
Faith, Worship, and Spirituality

Lesson Six: Ritual Ablution (Wudu)

Faraz Rabbani

Review: The Basis of Purification

The Legal Significance of

Purification
The Spiritual Significance

The Ritual Bath: Obligations

Why Three Obligations?

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 Intention

Washing hands

Removing filth

Before the ghusl itself

Washing private parts

Actions of Ghusl

Complete wudu

Wash mouth & nose

The ghusl itself

Wash body three complete times

{The Absolute
Essentials of Islam}
Today: The Ritual Ablution

Faraz Rabbani

Ritual Ablution (Wudu): Virtues

(1) Meaning of ‘Wudu’

(2) Implications of Q. 5.6
(3) Virtues
Read: Chapter on Ritual Ablution
from Gardens of the Righteous
(Riyad al-Salihin)

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Ritual Ablution: Obligatory Acts
(1) Why only four?
Qur’an: 5.6
(2) Washing: definition
(3) Wiping: definition
(4) Principle: wash
completely
Fulfill command, as commanded.
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Ritual Ablution: Issues

Consequence of obligatory
acts?
(Validity)
Intention: condition of
reward
Sunnas: completion,
acceptance, full reward and
benefit
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Ritual Ablution: Description (1-3)

(1) Intention
{Resolve to perform an act of
obedience, and drawing closer
to Allah, at the beginning of
the action.}
(2) Washing Hands
(3) Beginning in Name of
Allah
Optimal?
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 Ritual Ablution: Description (4-7)
(4) Rinse mouth—thrice
Back of mouth. Don’t waste
water.
(5) Brush teeth
With? Optimal—why? When?
(6) Rinse nose—thrice
(7) Washing face—thrice
Limits. Rubbing. Adab.
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Ritual Ablution: Description (8-10)

(8) Wash arms up to elbows—

thrice
Sunnas. Cautions
(9) Wipe quarter of head
How?
(10) … with the ears

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Ritual Ablution: Description (11-12)

(11) Wash feet—thrice

Interlace. Waste. Rub.
(12) The order
Avoid interruptions
Recommendations
Remembrance

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 Part Two: What Nullifies
Ritual Ablution (wudu)

Exiting of filth from private parts

Filth flowing from elsewhere

Actual Nullification

Vomiting a mouthful

Things that
nullify wudu
Sleep if not seated

Effective Nullification Loss of intellect, etc

Meeting of private parts

Laughing out loud in prayer

What Nullifies Ritual Ablution

What is the legal cause (`illa)

of the nullification of wood?
(1) Exiting of filth
(2) Flowing blood
(3) Vomiting mouthful
(4) Sleeping lying down

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 Exiting of Filth

Private Parts Elsewhere

Exiting Exiting & Flowing

(Appearing outside) (Going beyond point of exit, actually or effectively)

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Sleep & Drowsiness

Sleep Drowsiness

Light (can hear most Heavy (can't hear most

Rear is seated Not seated
things) things)

Doesn't nullify wudu Nullifies wudu Doesn't nullify wudu Nullifies wudu'

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What Nullifies Ritual Ablution

(5-7) Rare
(8) Laughing out loud in
prayer
Why? Basis?
(9) Intimate contact
Why?

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 What about other matters?

Touching private parts?

Touching opposite sex?
Basis…

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{The Absolute
Essentials of Islam}
Faith, Worship, and Spirituality

Next: Prayer

Faraz Rabbani