Sunnats and Aadaab of Wudhu – Part 5 – Shaafi’ee

1. Wash the right limbs before the left limbs.

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه قال قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا لبستم وإذا توضأتم فابدءوا بأيامنكم (سنن أبي داود، الرقم: 4141)

Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “When you wear a garment and when you perform wudhu, then commence from your right limbs”.

عن عائشة رضي الله عنها قالت كان النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم ليعجبه التيمن فى تنعله وترجله وطهوره وفي شأنه كله (صحيح البخاري، الرقم: 168)

Sayyidatuna Aaishah (radhiyallahu ‘anha) reports that Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) would like commencing from the right side when wearing his shoes, combing his hair, performing wudhu and when carrying out all other works (i.e. all other noble works which require respect being shown to the right side e.g. entering the musjid and Ka’bah with the right foot, commencing from the right when wearing clothing, using the right hand to receive or give an item, etc.).

2. Rub each limb thoroughly when washing it to ensure that water reaches each part of the limb.

3. All the limbs should be washed, one after the other, without any delay in between.

4. While making wudhu, do not speak unnecessarily.

5. Do not waste water while making wudhu.

عن عبد الله بن عمرو رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم مر بسعد وهو يتوضأ فقال ما هذا السرف فقال أفي الوضوء إسراف قال نعم وإن كنت على نهر جار (سنن ابن ماجة، الرقم: 425)

Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Amr (radhiyallahu ‘anhuma) reports that Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) passed by Sayyiduna Sa’d (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) whilst he was performing wudhu. Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) asked him, “What is this wastage (of water in your wudhu)?” He replied, “Is there also wastage in wudhu?” Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “Yes, even if you are performing wudhu at the bank of a flowing river (then too, be mindful of not wasting water).”