1. First of all, you must have the intention to perform ablution for the purpose of performing prayer or simply for the sake of being in a state of ritual purity. It is important to have a deep intention in your heart, but saying the intention out loud is still advisable.

2. As when performing any other godly deed, it is advisable for the believer to say “bismil-lyahi rrahmani rrahim” (“in the name of God, whose mercy is limitless and eternal”), thereby asking for God’s blessing and help.

3. Wash your hands up to and including your wrists three times, not forgetting to rinse between your fingers. If there is a ring or ring, they should be removed or, by moving them slightly, try to ensure that the skin underneath is washed.

4. Rinse your mouth three times, collecting water with your right hand.

5. Rinse your nose three times, drawing water with your right hand and blowing your nose with your left.

6. Wash your face three times.

7. Wash your hands up to the elbow three times (first the right, then the left).

8. Rub your scalp with wet hands (at least ¼ of your hair).

9. Afterwards, wash your hands and wipe the inside and outside of your ears; rub the neck with the front (back) of your hands.

10. Wash your feet up to your ankles three times, not forgetting to wash between your toes, starting with the little toe of your right foot and ending with the little toe of your left. Wash your right foot first, then your left.

After or during ablution, a person can dry the washed parts of the body using a towel.

According to the great Muslim theologian Imam al-Nawawi and other scholars, “it is advisable to pronounce these words after complete ablution (ghusl).”

Regarding other prayers (du'a) said by some believers during ablution, Imam an-Nawawi noted that “the prayers (du'a) read by some during ablution while washing individual parts of the body are not canonically justified and were not mentioned by theologians early Islamic period". Moreover, according to the theologian Ibn al-Salah, “about the necessity or desirability of this [i.e. saying prayers-du‘a while washing individual parts of the body] there is not a single reliable hadith.”

From all of the above, it follows that ablution, begun with the name of the Creator (from the words “bismil-lahi rrahmani rrahim”) and completed with the above prayer, is desirable and canonically justified.

Water for ablution

Ablution can be done with any clean water: fresh, carbonated, mineralized and even salty sea water. The permissibility of the latter is stated in one of the reliable statements of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of the Almighty be upon him): “Sea water is clean and cleansing for you [that is, it is fully suitable for performing small (wudu') and full (ghusl) ablutions] , and what died in the sea [that is, everything that lives in the sea and died in it] is suitable for consumption."

In addition, snow can be used for ablution, provided that it melts from body heat and the surface being wiped becomes wet (moist).

The water that descends from the heavens and flows from the earth, in all forms, is permissible for use in performing ablution (wudu’) and ablution (ghusl).

The Holy Quran says:

“We [“We” indicates the greatness of the Creator, but not His plurality] brought down from heaven pure, cleansing water” (see Holy Quran, 25:48).

Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of God be upon him) emphasized: “Truly, deeds [are judged] by their intentions” (hadith from ‘Umar; holy kh. al-Bukhari and Muslim). The opinion of theologians is unanimous that in order to receive reward (savab) before the Almighty for performing a correct and good action, the presence of intention is necessary. Intention, from a canonical point of view, is the intention of the heart (soul) to certainly do something. See: Mu'jamu lugati al-fuqaha' [Dictionary of theological terms]. Beirut: an-Nafais, 1988. P. 490.

Varnishes, paints, and glue left on the hands prevent water from penetrating the skin and nails, so you should carefully consider the process of removing these substances. However, if, due to the nature of his professional activity, a person constantly gets dirty with paints or varnishes, then superficial cleaning is enough for him. He falls under the provision of “umumul-balwa”; he is canonically forgiven (“ma’fuvvun ‘ankh”) for things that are difficult to wash off. Naturalness is important, and complications and doubts come from Satan.

A woman's varnished nails are in no way connected with the performance of prayers and do not affect their usefulness. But as for complete ablution (or minor), they will be invalid if performed with painted nails, since water due to the varnish does not pass to the nails, therefore, those parts of the body that should be washed during these ritual hygienic procedures are not washed. washed. There is one nuance regarding complete ablution: if after performing it a woman remembers that she accidentally forgot to remove the nail polish, then she does not need to repeat it again, but will simply rinse her nails after cleaning them.

It is most practical for a woman to use varnish during her period, when she is not praying.

“The Prophet liked to start from the right in many matters: in using water when washing, when combing one’s hair and when putting on shoes” (hadith from ‘Aisha; holy kh. al-Bukhari and Muslim). See: An-Nawawi Ya. Riyad al-salihin. P. 300, Hadith No. 720. It is possible that rituals in which the right side precedes the left reflect the universal human idea that the right side symbolizes good (cf. Russian “pravda”, “rightness”, “righteousness”; English “ right” - “right”, “correct”, “fair”; German “richtig” - “right” from “recht” - “right”, etc.).

1/4 is the obligatory minimum (fard) among Hanafi theologians. Shafi'i theologians say that even a slight movement of a damp hand through the hair is enough. If you wish, you can wipe the entire scalp, which is sunnah.

There is no need for a woman to remove earrings from her ears.

Those scholars who spoke about rubbing the neck classified it as possible (adab). B O The majority of theologians believed that rubbing the neck had no canonical justification.

In case of extreme lack of water or time, you can limit yourself to points No. 1, 6–8, 10 without repeating them three times. To these five points, the scholars of the Shafi'i madhhab add a sixth - the sequence in the fulfillment of the five mentioned.

If a plaster cast or a waterproof bandage is applied to that part of the body that must be washed when performing ablution, then the person wipes it with a damp hand. In this case, it counts as actual washing with water.

See: Az-Zuhayli V. Al-fiqh al-Islami wa adillatuh [Islamic law and its arguments]. In 8 volumes. Damascus: al-Fikr, 1990. T. 1. P. 255.

Hadith from ‘Umar; St. X. Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi.

Yahya ibn Sharaf an-Nawawi (1233–1277) - an outstanding imam, muhaddith. His most famous works are “Riyad al-Salihin”, “Arba‘une al-Nawawiyya”, “Minhaj al-Talibin”.

See, for example: As-San'ani M. Subul as-salam [Ways of the world]. In 4 volumes. Cairo: al-Hadith, 1994. T. 1. P. 80.

See: As-San'ani M. Subul as-salam. T. 1. P. 80.

Abu ‘Amru Takyyuddin ‘Uthman ibn Salah (?–1245) – Shafi’i faqih, famous muhaddis and commentator (mufassir) of the Holy Qur’an. He taught in Damascus, where he died. Among his works are “Al-fatawa”, “Al-amali”, “Ma’rifatu anwa’i ‘ilm al-hadith”, “Sharh al-wasyt”.

See: As-San'ani M. Subul as-salam. T. 1. P. 80; al-Khatib al-Shirbini Sh. Mughni al-mukhtaj. T. 1. P. 126, 127.

For more information about what seafood can be eaten, see: Alyautdinov Sh. Answers to your questions about Islam. M., 2003. S. 54, 55.

This hadith was transmitted by the seven companions of the Prophet. See, for example: Al-Amir ‘Alayud-din al-Farisi. Al-ihsan fi takrib sahih ibn habban [A noble act in approaching (to the readers) the collection of hadiths of Ibn Habban]: In 18 volumes. Beirut: ar-Risala, 1991. Vol. 4. P. 49, hadith No. 1243, “sahih” , as well as S. 51, Hadith No. 1244, “Hasan”.

This refers to exceptional situations when a person living in northern latitudes, due to circumstances, cannot use warm tap water.

See, for example: ‘Alyaud-din ibn al-‘Attor. Fatawa al-Imam an-Nawawi [Fatwas of Imam an-Nawawi]. Beirut: al-Bashair al-Islamiyya, 1990. P. 26.

See, for example: Az-Zuhayli V. Al-fiqh al-Islami wa adillatuh. In 11 volumes. T. 1. P. 265.

Many newly converted Muslims are concerned about the question of how to perform ablution before performing namaz. This is a very important procedure that cannot be omitted, since coming before God in prayer is possible only in a state of ritual purity. Below we will talk about how this ablution is performed.

Types of ablution

In Islam there are two types of ritual ablution: small and full. The small version requires washing only the hands, mouth and nose, while the full version requires washing the entire body. The result of both procedures is purity, called taharat in Arabic.

Complete ablution

This option is called ghusl in Arabic. Below we will tell you how to do a complete ablution, but first we need to talk about in what cases it is necessary. So, if we are talking about a woman, then she is prescribed to do ghusl after the end of the period of menstruation and postpartum bleeding. In addition, sexual intimacy is considered the reason for complete ablution. If we are talking about a man, then for him such a reason is also sexual contact and the fact of ejaculation in general. If a person has just converted to Islam or for some reason has not practiced namaz, then he is also ordered to perform ghusl, since the likelihood that in his previous life he did not have such moments when the rules of Islam required complete ablution is close to zero.

Rules for complete body washing

The rules of Sharia tell us how to properly perform ablution before prayer. According to them, the nose, mouth and whole body should be washed. But, before performing ablution, you need to get rid of everything that can interfere with the penetration of water. This can be wax, paraffin, cosmetics, paint, nail polish, etc. When washing, you need to especially carefully rinse the areas of the body where water is difficult to reach. For example, the ears, navel, areas behind the ears, earring holes. The scalp should also be washed with water along with the hair. Regarding how to perform ablution for women with long braided hair, it is explained that if, when braided, they do not prevent the penetration of water, then they can be left as is. But if water cannot get onto the scalp because of them, then the hair needs to be unbraided. Another recommendation on how to perform ablution for women concerns their female genital organs. Their outer part also needs to be washed, preferably while squatting.

Mouth rinse

As for rinsing the mouth, this procedure must be performed three times. At the same time, if possible, everything that interferes with the penetration of water to the surface should be removed from the teeth and from the oral cavity. When asked how to properly perform ablution if there are fillings, dentures or crowns in the teeth, the rules of the ghusl answer that these things do not need to be touched. There is also no need to remove various devices, such as correction plates and braces, which only a doctor can safely remove. During bathing, you should only get rid of those things that can be easily removed and easily put back in. Regarding how to perform ablution correctly, it must be said that certain sunnatas and adabs are attached to this action, that is, some ritual actions that are generally not obligatory. But if you fulfill them, then the reward from Allah, as Muslims believe, will be increased. But since these are optional things, we will not touch on them in this article.

What is prohibited without complete ablution except prayer?

There are things that are prohibited for Muslims who have not performed ablution. In addition to prayer itself, these include bowing to the ground while reading certain lines of the Koran and bowing to the ground out of gratitude to Allah. In addition, it is prohibited to touch the Koran or its individual parts printed in other books. While still in a state of impurity, it is forbidden to read the Quran, even if you do not touch it. It is allowed to read only individual words, the totality of which is less than one ayah, that is, a verse. This rule, however, has an exception. Thus, suras, which are prayers, are allowed to be read. Without a ritual full ablution, it is forbidden to go to the mosque and walk around the Kaaba during the Hajj.

There is one subtlety - the state without ritual washing is classified into three levels. In one of them it is allowed to fast Ramadan, but in others it is not. But this is a different topic, and we will not touch on this issue.

Lesser ablution

Now let's talk about how to do a small ablution. Firstly, it must be said that this method of washing is called wudu in Arabic. It is also important to note that it does not replace complete ablution - ghusl.

When is voodoo done?

To understand how to properly perform ablution before prayer in accordance with the rules of wudu, you need to learn when there is a need for it. Let's say you did a complete ablution, but then, before salah, you visited the toilet. In this case, you should do a small ablution. This is also necessary if you fall asleep or faint, since a state of unconsciousness leads to a partial loss of ritual purity. A voodoo ceremony is also required when a person starts bleeding, mucus or pus. The situation is similar when there is an attack of nausea and the person vomits. Severe bleeding in the mouth (if there is more blood than saliva) is also considered a reason to undergo minor ablution. Well, this list concludes with the situation of alcohol intoxication or other clouding of mind.

When should you not do wudu?

There are things for which it is not entirely clear whether ablution should be done after them or not. And probably the most common issue among them is expectoration. The rules of ritual purity in Islam state that coughing up mucus does not lead to the need to perform ablution. The same applies to cases when small parts of flesh are separated from the body - hair, pieces of skin, etc. But only if it did not cause bleeding. Touching the genitals (it doesn’t matter whether it’s your own or someone else’s) does not result in the need for repeated washing. Touching a person of the opposite sex, if he is not a Mahram, is also not considered a reason to repeat wudhu.

Voodoo procedure

Now we will tell you directly about how to perform ablution before prayer according to the rite of wudu. In accordance with Shariah norms, it includes four obligatory points - washing the face, hands, feet and nose.

To wash your face, you need to understand what is considered a face in Islam, that is, where its boundaries lie. So, if in width, then the border of the face will run from one earlobe to the other. And in length - from the tip of the chin to the point from which hair growth begins. Sharia norms also teach how to wash hands: hands must be washed up to the elbows, including the latter. Similarly, the feet are washed up to the ankles. Regarding how to perform ablution before prayer, if there is something on the surface of the skin that can prevent the penetration of water, the rules clearly say that such things must be removed. If the water does not reach the entire area of ​​the designated parts of the body, then ablution cannot be considered valid. Therefore, you need to remove all paints, decorations, etc. However, henna designs do not interfere with ablution, since it does not interfere with the penetration of water. After all parts of the body are washed, it is necessary to wash the head. How to perform a small rite of washing the head is again suggested by the rules. In fact, simply wiping a quarter of the area of ​​the head with a damp hand would be considered ablution. But you need to be careful, since wiping hair not on the head, but on the forehead, back of the head, or wiping hair twisted on the head will not be considered valid.

It should also be noted that without a small ablution (unless, of course, you have just completed a full one), some ritual actions are prohibited. Their list is identical to those that are prohibited in the absence of a performed ghusl. There are also adabs and sunnat for small ablution, which we do not consider in this article. Another important point is that when performing wudu, you do not need to remove contact lenses from your eyes, since this is not required by Sharia law.

Ablution plays a special role in the Islamic faith, since without it Muslims cannot perform certain rituals of worship. This term in Islam refers to the process of ritual purification performed by believers at least several times a day.

There are two types of ablution: small (“wudu”, “taharat”), and also complete (“ghusl”).

Taharat

Lesser ablution is a type of ritual cleansing performed by believers regularly and does not require complete nudity when performing it.

In what cases is it necessary to perform taharat:

• before starting prayer (namaz);

• before reading the Holy Quran;

• before starting the tour around the Kaaba.

Procedure for performing wudu:

1. Say your intention to perform ablution: in order to begin taharat, a person must have an appropriate intention, which he can say to himself.

2. Say the words “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahim”(“In the name of Allah, the Beneficent and the Merciful”).

3. Wash your hands up to your wrists: the believer must wash the palms of both hands up to the wrists three times, always washing the areas between the fingers (it is advisable to start with the right hand).

4. Rinse your mouth: After using your hands, you should rinse your mouth well three times, and it is advisable to hold the water to your lips with your right hand.

5. Rinse your sinuses: A Muslim must rinse his nose three times, drawing in water from his right hand and removing the secretions with his left.

6. Wash your face: To do this, it is enough to rinse your face three times, so that each time water gets on its entire surface (up to the ears).

7. Wash your hands up to the elbows: each hand, starting with the right, is sequentially washed on all sides three times from the wrist to the elbow.

8. Wiping the head, neck and ears: It is necessary to wipe the hair with wet palms, and it is recommended to touch at least a quarter of the head (usually wipe with the right hand from the crown to the forehead). After this, the thumbs are moved under the earlobes, and the index fingers are rubbed over the auricle and ear canal. At the end of this stage, you should walk along the neck with the backs of your hands, smoothly moving your hands from the back to the front.

9. Cleansing the feet: Finally, the feet are washed three times up to the ankles, including the areas between the toes. Here it is also encouraged to perform the procedure starting with the right leg.

It is important to know that the obligatory actions (fard) of Taharat will be the following: washing the face, hands up to the elbows, wiping the neck, ears and head, washing the feet. The obligatory nature of these stages is due to the fact that they are mentioned in the Holy Scriptures of Muslims:

“O you who believe! When you stand up for prayer, wash your faces and your hands up to the elbows, wipe your heads and wash your feet up to the ankles” (5:6)

Thus, after performing wudhu, the believer is in a state of ritual purity, in which he can perform prayer, read the Koran, and so on. This provision remains until the believer commits any action that violates it.

What breaks wudu:

• elimination of needs, including the release of gases;

• loss of consciousness;

• sleep, except when a person dozes while sitting or standing;

• release of waste from the human body in large quantities (blood, pus, etc.);

• touching the genitals directly (i.e. not through tissue);

• severe vomiting (provided that the vomit has filled the entire oral cavity).

Ghusl

Full ablution is a type of ablution performed when a Muslim is in a state of ritual desecration. In the Qur'an, the Lord of the Worlds tells us:

“...If you are defiled, then wash from head to toe and make yourselves clean...” (5:6)

Situations in which GUSL is necessary:

• after intimacy (for ritual desecration, contact of the genitals will be sufficient, even if ejaculation has not occurred);

• after ejaculation that did not occur as a result of intimacy (for example, if it arose due to passionate sensations as a result of thoughts, or viewing images and videos with naked bodies, wet dreams, etc. is considered haram);

• postmenstrual period in women (during menstruation, a woman is in a state of ritual desecration, and therefore on such days she is even forbidden to pray and. After the completion of menstruation, women should perform ghusl);

• the postpartum period in women (at the end of postpartum bleeding, complete ablution is also prescribed);

• after accepting Islam (after a person has said the Shahada and became a Muslim, he must purify himself);

• death (before burial, the body of every Muslim must be washed)

Being in a state of ritual desecration, a believer does not have the right:

• read and touch the Holy Quran (if its text is entirely in Arabic);

• perform namaz;

• visit a mosque;

• circumambulate the Kaaba.

Procedure for performing ablution:

Intention for performing Ghusl: as before taharat, a person must say (maybe mentally) the intention;

Say “Bismillahir-Rahmanir-Rahiim”;

Washing hands up to wrists: rinse your hands three times up to the wrists, while cleaning the areas between the fingers (it is preferable to start with the right hand);

Washing the genitals: this should be done carefully to eliminate all impurities, and preferably with the left hand;

Performing all acts of ablution (wudu): in this case, the procedure of washing the palms is repeated, and the soles of the feet are postponed until the completion of the ghusl;

Pouring the head: it must be done three times and so that all the hair on the head, including the beard and mustache, is moistened from the tips to the roots;

Pouring the right side of the body: three times and a sufficient amount of water for this, but without allowing excessive consumption;

Dousing the left side of the body three times;

Washing feet(including areas between the fingers).

Like Taharat, Ghusl contains both obligatory and desirable actions. However, there are some discrepancies among Muslim legal schools regarding complete ablution. If, according to the Hanaft madhhab, rinsing the mouth, washing the nasal cavity and dousing the entire body is considered fard when performing ghusl, then in the Shafi'i madhhab it is the intention, the removal of impurities and complete dousing.

Advantages of ablution

Believers are required to perform ablution not only before performing religious practices - a state of ritual purity must be inherent in any Muslim almost constantly. Taharat and ghusl in Islam are considered a good deed, for which there is a reward. The famous hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.) reads: “If someone, while in a state of ablution, performs it again, the Almighty writes to him 10 good deeds” (at-Tirmidhi).

In addition, ritual cleansing helps to erase the sins of a believer, as stated in the following hadith: “When a Muslim performs ablution, then, by washing his face, he washes away all the sins that his eyes commit, by washing his hands, he washes away all the sins that he committed with them, by washing his feet , washes away all the sins that he committed with them, and thus a person will become clean from sins” (quoted by Muslim and at-Tirmidhi).

Another advantage of ablution is the fact that it can lead a believer to Paradise. The Messenger of Allah (s.w.w.) once admonished: “Whoever of you performs ablution and then says, for him all eight gates of heaven will open” (hadith from Muslim).