Sunnah way of Gusl (Bathing)

             Ghusl may be Waajib (obligatory in case of Janaabah i.e sexual impurity following discharge, or ghusl following Haidh or Nifaas i.e menses or postpartum bleeding) or it may be sunnah and Mustahabb. The scholars have described all cases in details which can be found in Fiqh books.

Obligatory actions of Ghusl:
Let find out the obligatory actions of Gusl(bathing) first.

      The person should make the water reach all parts of his body, by whatever means. Rinsing the mouth and nose is essential in Gusl. He should remove the major impurity and purify himself properly because Allaah says in the Quran (interpretation of the meaning): 

“If you are impure(in a state of Janaaba and in need of ghusl), purify yourselves well(bathe your whole body)". (al-Maa'idah 5:6)

Sunnah actions of Ghusl:

Now the Sunnah way of bathing (Ghusul) Is given below;

1. First, make the intention: make intention in the heart to purify oneself from major impurity: 

2. Say Tasmiah: say Bismillah in heart 
3. Wash the hands: wash the hands three times.
4. Wash the private parts: then wash the private part.

5. Wudu: Then perform complete Wudoo’ as for prayer’.

6. Pour water over the head: Then pour water over the head three times, and rub the hair so that the water reaches the roots of the hair.

7. Wash the body: Wash the whole body, starting with the right side of the body and then the left, making sure that the water reaches all parts,  and rubbing it with the hands so that the water reaches the entire body.

The evidence for this Mustahabb form of ghusl is: 

It was narrated that ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) said: When the Messenger of Allaah (SAWW) did ghusl for Janaabah, he would wash his hands and do Wudoo’ as for prayer, then he would wash himself, then he would run his fingers through his hair, then when he thought that it [the water] had reached his skin, he would pour water over it [the head] three times, then he would wash the rest of his body.

( al-Bukhari ,248 and Muslim 316).  

The difference between Ghusl following Janabah and Menses: 

Muslim narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that Asma’ asked the Prophet (SAWW) about ghusl following menses. 

He said: “Let one of you take her water and lotus leaves and clean herself well, then let her pour water over her head and rub it vigorously so that it will reach the roots of her hair. Then let her pour the water over herself, then take a piece of cloth scented with musk and purify herself.” 

Asma’ said: How should she purify herself? He said: “Subhaan-Allaah! Purify yourself with it.” ‘Aa’ishah said – as if she whispered it to her – Follow the traces of blood. And she asked him about ghusl in the case of janaabah. 

He said: “Let her take water and clean herself well – or clean herself thoroughly – then let her pour water over her head and rub it so that it reaches the roots of the hair, then let her pour water over herself.” ‘Aa’ishah said: How good the women of the Ansaar were! They did not let shyness prevent them from understanding their religion properly. (Al Muslim, 332)

Note: According to the this Hadith the Prophet (SAWW) differentiated between ghusl following menses and ghusl following Janaabah, with regard to rubbing the hair and applying perfume to remove any unpleasant smell.

Sunnah of Tayammum

What is "Tayammum"?

The literal meaning of Tayammum is “Intending”, but in Islamic Shariah, this word refers to intending or looking to find soil (to wipe one’s hands and face so as) to be prepared for Salah and other acts requiring Wudhu or Ghusl.
     So “Tayammum” is actually dry ablution.
It is done by using purified earth, sand, stones, limestone, clay, pebbles or something similar as Allah Almighty says in the Quran (what means): "…Perform Tayammum with pure soil..." (Surah Al Maidah 5:6) and then wiping the face and hands with the intention of purifying oneself. 
       Tayammum is a kind of a blessing from Allah to the Muslims as Prophet Muhammad (SAWW) said that, 
 "I have been given five things which were not given to anyone else before me ....(one of them is) earth has been made for me (and for my followers) a place for praying and a thing to perform Tayammum, therefore anyone of my followers can pray wherever the time of a prayer is due.

Allah says in Quran about Tayammum:

“But if you are ill or on a journey, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. marital relation) and you do not find water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and wipe over your faces and hands with it. Allah does not intend to make difficulty for you, but He intends to purify you and complete His favour upon you that you may be grateful”. (Surah An Nisa 4:43)

 At another place, He Almighty explains more,
“O you who believe! When you stand up for the prayer, then wash your faces and your hands till the elbows and wipe your heads and your feet till the ankles. But if you are (in) a state of ceremonial impurity then purify yourselves. But if you are ill or on a journey or has come anyone of you from the toilet or has (had) contact (with) the women and not you find water, then do (with) clean earth, then wipe your faces and your hands with it. Allah (does) not intend to make for you any difficulty but He intends to purify you and to complete His Favor upon you so that you may (be) grateful”. (Surah Al Maidah 5:6)

When to perform Tayammum?

lIf water is not available or insufficient for ablution.

l If one cannot use water, Due to physical harm or medical reasons

How to Perform the Tayammum:

One must have the intention to purifying himself, then say Bismillah and strikes the soil with his hands, and wipes his face and hands up to the wrist. 
One should start with the right hand. 
A man came to `Umar bin Al-Khattab and said, "I became Junub(sexually impure) but no water was available. So I rolled myself on the ground and prayed. When I informed the Prophet (SAWW) about it and he said, 'It would have been sufficient for you to do like this.' The Prophet then stroked lightly the earth with his hands and then blew off the dust and passed his hands over his face and hands." 
(Sahih Al Bukhari 338)



This Hadeeth shows that one strike of the earth is sufficient, and one only wipes the arms to the wrists. It is an act of Sunnah that one who makes Tayammum with dirt should blow into his hands first and not make his face dusty or dirty.

So according to above Hadith, the Sunnah way of Tayammum is:

After making the intention of Tayammum

Strike the object with both hands

Then Wipe the face

Wipe right hand with the left

and left hand with the right.

After performing Tayammum, one is pure and may perform any of the acts of worship requiring prior ritual purification, such as praying and touching the Quran.  In general, everything which nullifies Wudhu will nullify Tayammum.

     (Our kids should know all these Sunnahs since their childhood and this is only possible when they will see us performing and acting upon Prophet SAWW's Sunnahs).
      

20 Sunnahs of Wudu.

How to perform Wudhu in Sunnah way? 

1-Sunnahs of Wudhu:

1- Recite Tasmiah: Say Bismillah before starting the ablution

بِسْمِ اللَّهِ

(In the name of Allah)

Prophet (SAWW) said: “He who does not start Wudhu by Allah’s name his Wudhu is invalid”.

(Abou Dawood, 101. At Tirmidhi, 25. Ibn Majah, 397)

So remember :

 “Bismillah is the key of wudhu and Wudhu is the key of Salah.”

“No bismilah → No Wudhu ,No whudu →no Salah”

2. Use Miswak /tooth stick: Use Siwak before rinsing one’s mouth.

The Prophet (SAWW) says, “Had I not thought it difficult for my Ummah, I would have commanded them to use the Siwak (tooth stick) before every Prayer.’’ (Masnad Imaam Ahmed 9928 ).

3.Washing the hands thrice: Wash both hands three times, run the water through the fingers properly.

4. Rinsing the mouth and nose: Rinse the mouth. snuff water into the nose before washing the face.

5. Rinse the nose: snuff water into the nose before washing the face. Use left hand to clean and expel water from the nose.

This is because it is mentioned in the hadith that the Prophet (SAWW), “washed his hands thrice, then he rinsed his mouth and snuffed water and blew it out, then he washed his face thrice…). ( Bukhari, 164 and Muslim, 226).

6. Exaggerating in rinsing the mouth and snuffing: Be thorough in rinsing the mouth and snuffing the nose to the uppermost part of the nose if not fasting. This is because of the hadith, “…and be thorough in snuffing water except when you are fasting”. (Sunan At-Tirmithi 788, Abu Dawoud 2366, ibn Maja, Book of purification 407 and An-Nasaee 87).

7. Rinsing one’s mouth and nose with the same handful of water: This is because of the hadith, “He (the Prophet SAWW) put his hand (into the vessel containing water) rinsed his mouth and snuffed up water(for cleaning the nose) from the palm of one hand”. (Bukhari, 191 and Muslim, 235).

8. Running fingers through beard (Only for men): Running one’s wet finger through thick beard upon washing the face. It is mentioned in the hadith that the Prophet (SAWW) used to run his wet finger through his beard while performing ablution. (At-Tirmidhi, Book of Purification, 31).

9. Wiping over one’s head: After washing face and arms ( which are Fard actions) one should do Masah on head and ears. The way of wiping the head is to start from the forehead until the nap of the neck and back to the front again.

As for obligatory wiping over one’s head, it is to wipe over one’s head in any way. It is narrated that the Messenger of Allah (SAWW) used to pass his hands over his head (in ablution) from the front to the back and then to the front again. (Bukhari 185 and Muslim 235).

10. Running wet fingers between the fingers and toes: The Prophet (SAWW) said, “Perform your ablution properly and let water to run between the fingers and toes”.( Abou Dawood, the book of fasting 142 .At Tirmidhi 788. Al Nissaai, Book of purification 114).

11. Begin with the right limb: It is narrated in the hadith that the Messenger of Allah (SAWW): “Used to start from the right side on wearing shoes, combing his hair, cleaning or purifying himself and on doing anything else”. (Bukhari, 168 and Muslim, 268).

12. Performing the actions thrice: Increase washing from one to three times, when washing the face, hands and feet. (Bukhari 159 and Muslim 226).

13. Dalk: Dalk is an Arabic term. It means to rub water properly over the body parts with the hand during wudu while washing or after. (Ibn Khuzaymah, the book of Ablution 118)

14. Perfecting one’s ablution: Washing each part properly and perfectly during Wudu is a Sunnah.

The benefit of this Sunnah:

l The Prophet (SAWW) said, “He who performed ablution perfectly, his sins would come out from his body, even coming out from under his nails.” (Muslim 245).

l Narrated Nu`am Al-MujmirOnce I went up the roof of the mosque, along with Abu Huraira. He perform ablution and said, "I heard the Prophet (SAWW) saying, "On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called "Al-Ghurr-ul- Muhajjalun" from the trace of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e. by performing ablution regularly).' "(Sahih Bukhari, 136)

15. Performing ablution in one’s house: It is recommended that one should perform the wudhu at home.

Benefit of this sunnah:The Prophet (SAWW) said, “Whoever purifies in his house and walks to the mosque to perform obligatory prayer, his steps are counted as one removes a sin and the other raises his rank”. (Muslim 666)

16. Using a little amount of water: The Prophet (SAWW) used to perform Ablution with least amount of water in ablution. (Bukhari, 201 and Muslim, 325)

Benefit of this Sunnah: Water is a blessing and Prophet(SAWW) discouraged to waste the water. He prohibited excessive use of water for wudhu/ablution or Ghusl, even when the water was abundant, He advised thriftiness: thus he recommended that believers perform wudhu no more than three times, even if they were near to a flowing spring or river. He, Himself used a minimal amount of water, using just one Mudd of water (the equivalent of 1.25 Litres) when carrying out Wudu and only five Mudds for Ghusl (slightly more than 5 litres) (so 6.25 L for both Wudhu and Ghusl). (Sahih Bukhari 198)

17. Exceed the area of washing: Washing above the limits of the four limbs (hands and foot). It is narrated that Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) performed ablution, he washed his arm up to the elbows(and just beyond it) and his feet up to the ankles and said: “this is how the Messenger of Allah (SAWW) performed ablution”. (Muslim 246)

18. Performing two rak’ahs (Tahiya Tul Wudhu): Perform two Rak’ahs (Tahiya tul Wudhu) after completing ablution. The Messenger of Allah (SAWW) said, “ Whoever performs Wudoo in the way that I perform it then prays two rak’ahs of prayer without allowing his thoughts to be distracted, all his previous sins are forgiven.” ( Bukhari 159 and Muslim226).

 In another Hadith, it was mentioned: “He will be rewarded by nothing except Paradise”. (Muslim 234)

19. Pronounce the Shahaadah after Wudhu: Say the Shahaadah (testification of faith) upon the completion of ablution.

اَشْهَدُ اَنْ لَااِلٰهَ اِلَّااللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَاشَرِيْكَ لَهٗ وَاَشْهَدُاَنَّ مُحَمَّدًاعَبْدُهٗ وَرَسُوْلُهٗ

(“I bear witness that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah that Muhammad is His Abd and Messenger”.)

The benefit of this Sunnah: It is narrated that the Prophet (SAWW) said, “ If anyone amongst you performs the ablution perfectly and then says Shahadah, the eight gates of Paradise would be opened for him and he may enter by whichever of them he desires”. (Muslim 234).

20. Supplications after Wudhu: 

On the top of Shahada say these duas,

سُبْحَانَكَ اللّٰهُمَّ وَبِحَمْدِكَ اشْهَدُاَنْ لَااِلٰهَ اِلَّاَنْتَ اَسْتَغْفِرُكَ وَاَتُوْبُ اِلَيْكَ

("Glory and praise be to You, O Allaah, I bear witness that there is no god but You, I seek Your forgiveness and I repent to You")

(An-Nasa'i, 'Amalul-Yawm wal-Layla, p. 173.)

"اللَّهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِي مِنَ التَّوَّابِينَ وَاجْعَلْنِي مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ"

(O Allah, make me among those who turn to You in repentance, and make me among those who are purified.)

(At-Tirmidhi 1/78. See also Al-Albani)

Obligatory actions of Wudu

One should know the difference between Faradh(obligatory) actions and Sunnah actions of Wudu, so in case if someone is in hurry or have shortage of water or travelling then he/she can do only obligatory actions.

Fardh (obligatory) acts of Wudu:

Allah, may He be exalted, says in Quran:

“O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salat (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles”.

(Surah Al Ma’aidah 5:6

Obligatory actions of wudu are following:

1. To make intention,

2. To say the Bismilah,

3. To wash the face, of which the mouth and nose are part.

4. To wash the two arms, up to the elbows.

5. To apply Masah(wiping) on the entire head (the ears are included in the head).

6. To wash the two feet, up to the ankle

7. Tarteeb, to Wash these parts of the body in the proper order.

8. Muwalat. Doing these actions consecutively (to wash the bodily parts one right after another without a break).

Note: 

l If someone will miss any of obligatory action, his wudu will be invalid.

l Do not waste water while performing the wudu.

l No wudu, No Prayer, as the Messenger of Allah (SAWW) said:

“The prayer of none amongst you would be accepted in a state of impurity until he performs ablution”. (Al Muslim 225)

Good news for those who perfectly perform the ablution(WUDU):

The Messenger of Allah (SAWW) said that : “You shall have your faces hands and feet bright on the Day of Resurrection because of your perfect ablution. He who can afford among you, let him increase the brightness of his forehead and that of hands and legs”. (Al Muslim 246)

There is another beautiful Hadith;

Verily Allah's Messenger (SAWW) said: “My Pond of Abundance has its dimensions wider than the distance between Aila and Aden, and its water is whiter than ice and sweeter than the honey diluted with milk, and its cups are more numerous than the numbers of the stars. Verily I shall prevent the (faithless) people there from just as a man prevents the camels of the people from his fountain. They said: Messenger of Allah, will you recognise us on that day? He said: Yes, you will have distinctive marks which nobody among the peoples (except you) will have; you would come to me with blazing forehead and bright hands and feet on account of the traces of ablution.” (Al Muslim 247 )

 “Subhan Allah … what a beautiful description? just a simple, regular action can make us recognised by Prophet (SAWW) on the day of judgement.”