Istinjaa, Wudhu and Ghusl

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Sunnats and Aadaab of Istinjaa

1. One should cover his head and feet before entering the toilet. (Sunan Kubra lil-Bayhaqi #465)
2. Before entering the toilet, one should recite the following dua:

 اَللّٰهُمَّ إِنِّيْ أَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنَ الْخُبُثِ وَالْخَبَائِثْ

O Allah I seek your protection from the male and female jinnaat. (Bukhaari #142 ; Tirmizi #606)

3. Before entering the toilet, one should remove any item upon which the name of Allah Ta‘ala or Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) or any aayat of the Quraan is written on it, such as a ring or chain. (Tirmizi #1724)
4. One should enter the toilet with the left foot and leave with the right foot. (Shaami 1/345)
5. At the time of relieving oneself one should not face towards the qibla nor face one’s back towards the qibla. (Bukhaari #144)
6. One should remove one’s lower garment at the time when one draws close to the ground so that the least amount of time is spent with the satr exposed. (Abu Dawood #14)
7. One should use clods of sand (or toilet paper) as well as water to clean oneself. (Tirmizi #3100)
8. One should use the left hand to clean oneself. To make istinjaa with the right hand is impermissible. (Bukhaari #154)
9. One should not talk while relieving oneself, except at the time of need. (Muslim #370)
10. One should not eat anything in the toilet.
11. One should sit and relieve oneself. It is makrooh for one to relieve oneself in the standing position. (Tirmizi #12)
12. One should exercise extreme caution with regards to urine splashes. Negligence in this regard results in one remaining impure and as a result one’s salaah will not be valid. The Hadith explains that the one who is not cautious in regard to urine will be severely punished in the grave. (Ibnu Maajah #348)
13. One should not relieve oneself at such places which causes inconvenience to others e.g. on a pathway. (Muslim #269)
14. One should relieve oneself in an area which is protected from the gazes of people. (Abu Dawood #2)
15. Recite the following dua upon leaving the toilet:

غُفْرَانَكَ اَلْحَمْدُ لِلّٰهِ الَّذِيْ أَذْهَبَ عَنِّيْ الْأَذٰى وَعَافَانِي

O Allah. I seek your forgiveness. All praise is due to Allah who has removed from me that which was harmful and granted me ease. (Ibnu Maajah #301 ; Tirmizi #7 ; Musannaf ibnu Abi Shaybah #12)

16. One should wait for a few minutes after relieving himself to allow the remaining droplets of urine to exit. (Shaami 1/344)
17. If one has to relieve himself in an open field, one should look for a suitable place i.e. such a ground that is soft so that the urine does not splash onto oneself and a place where one will not be seen by people. (Abu Dawood #3)
18. One should ensure that the waste goes into the pan and one does not mess around it. (Bukhaari #9)
19. After relieving oneself, one should rinse the hands using soap in order to remove any bad odour. (Abu Dawood #45)
20. When using public toilets, one should ensure no inconvenience is caused to others by smoking in the toilet or leaving it in a dirty condition. (Bukhaari #9)
21. A person who is terminally ill or hospitalised and is unable to go to the toilet may pass urine in a bottle. Thereafter the urine should be disposed of. (Abu Dawood #24)

Masaa’il of Istinjaa

Q: Is it permissible for one to read newspapers, magazines or other literature in the toilet?

A: It is makrooh for one to read newspapers, magazines or other literature in the toilet. (Abu Dawood #6 ; Aalamghiri 1/50)

Q: Can one use the urinals available in public toilets to relieve oneself?

A: It is impermissible for one to relieve oneself in this manner. Instead one should sit and relieve oneself in a secluded place (e.g. toilet).  (Shaami 1/344)

Q: Is it permissible to speak while relieving oneself in the toilet?

A: It is makrooh to speak while relieving oneself except at the time of need. (Shaami 1/343)

Q: Is it better for one to relieve himself using the western toilet (high pan) or eastern toilet (low pan)?

A: It is sunnat to relieve oneself in a squatting position, and the squatting position is possible using the eastern pan. If one is forced to use the high pan, then he should ensure he saves himself from the urine splashes. (Abu Dawood #14)

Virtues of Wudhu

The Key to Salaah

عن جابر بن عبد الله قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: مفتاح الجنة الصلاة ومفتاح الصلاة الوضوء

Hazrat Jaabir bin Abdillah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “The key to Jannah is salaah, and the key to salaah is wudhu.” (Tirmizi #4)

Purity is Half of Imaan

عن أبي مالك الأشعري قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: الطهور شطر الإيمان

Hazrat Abu Maalik Ash’ari (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Purity is half of imaan (i.e. many a’maal are such that one requires to be in the state of purity (pure from Hadath-e-Asghar and Hadath-e-Akbar) for the ibaadah to be accepted e.g. performing salaah, touching the Qur’aan, entering the musjid, performing tawaaf, fasting for a woman who is in haidh or nifaas”. (Muslim #223)

Ummah of Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) Being Distinguished through the Limbs of Wudhu Shining on the Day of Qiyaamah

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال … فإنهم يأتون غرا محجلين من الوضوء

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “They (my followers) will come on the Day of Qiyaamah with their foreheads and limbs illuminated with special noor on account of them performing wudhu for salaah (and it is through this sign that I will recognize them from others) …” (Muslim #249)

Wudhu is a Purification from Minor Sins

عن عثمان بن عفان رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: من توضأ فأحسن الوضوء خرجت خطاياه من جسده حتى تخرج من تحت أظفاره

Hazrat Uthmaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Hazrat Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever performs wudhu, and does it in a perfect manner, his (minor) sins are removed (and washed away) from his body to the extent that they fall off from beneath his nails.” (Muslim #245)

Remaining in the State of Wudhu is a Sign of a True Believer

عن ثوبان رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم … ولا يحافظ على الوضوء إلا مؤمن

Hazrat Thowbaan (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Safeguarding the wudhu is a sign of a true believer (i.e. to perform a complete and perfect wudhu and to remain in the state of wudhu at all times is a sign of a true believer).” (Ibnu Maajah #277)

The One who Passes Away in the State of Wudhu is Blessed with the Rank of a Martyr

عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: يا بني إن استطعت أن لا تزال على وضوء فإنه من يأتيه الموت وهو على وضوء يعطى الشهادة

Hazrat Anas bin Maalik (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “O my beloved son! If you are able to remain in the state of wudhu (then do so), as the one who passes away in the state of wudhu is blessed with the rank of a martyr.” (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #1470)

Performing a Complete Wudhu Safeguards One from Shaitaan, just as those who guard the Islamic frontiers safeguard the Muslims from the enemies of Islam

عن أبي هريرة رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال ألا أدلكم على ما يمحو الله به الخطايا ويرفع به الدرجات قالوا بلى يا رسول الله قال إسباغ الوضوء على المكاره وكثرة الخطا إلى المساجد وانتظار الصلاة بعد الصلاة فذلكم الرباط

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports that Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once asked the Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum), “Should I not inform ‎you of such actions through which Allah Ta‘ala will erase your ‎sins and raise your ranks?” The Sahaabah (radhiyallahu ‘anhum) replied, ‎‎“Certainly inform us, O Rasul of Allah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam)!” ‎Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said, “Performing a complete wudhu despite ‎difficulties, taking abundant steps in walking towards the masaajid ‎and awaiting the next salaah after one salaah is performed. These ‎actions resemble the action of those who protect the Islamic ‎frontiers against the enemies of Islam (through these actions, one ‎protects himself from the evils of nafs and Shaitaan, just as those ‎guarding the frontiers protect the Muslims against the enemies of ‎Islam).”‎ (Muslim #251)

A Perfect Wudhu is a Means of Barakah in One’s Life and Makes One Beloved to the Angels Recording His Deeds

 عن أنس بن مالك رضي الله عنه أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: يا بني عليك بإسباغ الوضوء يحبك حافظاك ويزاد في عمرك

Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) reports, “Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said to me, ‘O my beloved son! Ensure that you make a complete wudhu. If you do so, then the two angels who are recording your deeds will love you and you will be granted barakah in your life.’” (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #1470)

Sunnats and Aadaab of Wudhu

1. Sit on a raised place facing the qiblah. (Nasaa’i #93 ; Shaami 1/127)
2. Make the intention for wudhu. (Shaami 1/105)
3. Recite the masnoon dua:

بِسْمِ اللّٰهِ وَالْحَمْدُ للّٰهِ

I commence in the name of Allah and all praise belongs to Allah. (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #1112)

The one who recites this dua at the beginning of the wudhu, the angels will record good deeds for him so long as he remains in the state of wudhu. (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #1112)

It is reported in the Hadith that the one who does not recite bismillah, his wudhu will not be perfect. (Abu Dawood #101)

It is reported in the Hadith that the one who performs wudhu and takes the name of Allah (at the time of wudhu), then the wudhu purifies his entire body (from minor sins), and the one who performs wudhu and does not take the name of Allah (at the time of wudhu), then the wudhu only purifies the limbs of wudhu (i.e. only the minor sins of the limbs washed in wudhu will be expiated – not the sins of the entire body).” (Miskaat #428)

4. Wash both the hands up to the wrists thrice. (Muslim #226)
5. Cleanse the mouth with miswaak. Miswaak of the teeth will be made in a horizontal manner and of the tongue in a vertical manner. In the absence of a miswaak, one may use his finger as a substitute. (Mustadrak lil Haakim #515 ; Bayhaqi #179-183 ; Shaami 1/115)

It is reported in the Hadith that the salaah performed after using the miswaak is seventy times more rewarding than the salaah performed without using the miswaak. (Mustadrak Haakim #515)

6. Gargle the mouth thrice by taking three handfuls of water with the right hand. One should gargle thoroughly allowing the water to reach all parts of the mouth. (Bukhaari #186)
7. Place water into the nostrils with the right hand and if there is a need to cleanse the nose, one should use the small finger of the left hand. (Muslim #237 ; Tahtaawi pg. 76)

Note: When cleaning the nose in wudhu, Imaam Maalik (rahimahullah) disliked blowing the nose without using one’s left hand when cleaning, as this has resemblance with a donkey. (Awjazul Masaalik 1/191)

8. One should exercise caution when gargling the mouth and rinsing the nose while fasting in order to avoid water going down the throat or nasal passage, thus causing the fast to break. (Abu Dawood #142 ; Shaami 1/116)
9. Recite the following dua during the wudhu or after the wudhu:

اَللّٰهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لِيْ ذَنْبِيْ وَوَسِّعْ لِيْ فِيْ دَارِيْ وَبَارِكْ لِيْ فِيْ رِزْقِيْ

O Allah! Forgive my sins, make my house spacious for me and grant me blessings in my sustenance. (Al-Azkaar lin Nawawi pg. 73)

10. Wash the face thrice. The procedure of washing the face is to take water in both hands and pass it gently over the face. The face has to be washed from the forehead to beneath the chin and from one ear lobe till the other. (Muslim #236)
11. Make khilaal of the beard. Khilaal of the beard should be made by passing wet fingers through the beard from the bottom (i.e. from beneath the chin). Khilaal is Sunnah for the one whose beard is thick and the skin beneath the hair is not visible. If the beard is thin and the skin beneath the hair is visible, then in this case, khilaal of the beard is not masnoon. Instead it is necessary to make the water reach the skin of the face when washing the face. (Abu Dawood #145 ; Shaami 1/117)
12. Wash the hands including the elbows thrice. It is mustahab to commence the washing of the hands from the fingers going up to the elbows. (Muslim #236 ; Tahtaawi pg. 74)
13. Make khilaal of the fingers. Khilaal will be made through passing the fingers of the left hand through the fingers of the right hand and thereafter passing the fingers of the right hand through the fingers of the left hand. (Tirmizi #38 ; Shaami 1/117)
14. Make masah of the entire head once. The method of masah is that one will take both hands and pass them over the entire head starting from the front of the head moving towards the back of the head. (Ibnu Maajah #435 ; Shaami 1/120)

Note: It is fardh to make masah on quarter of the head, but the sunnah is to make masah of the entire head. Hence, Allaamah Shaami (rahimahullah) mentioned that if a person makes it a habit of always sufficing on only the fardh amount of masah, and leaves out making masah of the remainder of the head, he will be sinful due to leaving out the sunnah. Similarly, with regard to the other limbs of wudhu – if one makes it a habit of only sufficing on the fardh amount (i.e. washing each limb once) and he does not wash the limbs thrice, then he will be sinful due to leaving out the sunnah. (Shaami 1/118, 121)

15. Make masah of the ears. When making masah, one should use the index finger to make masah of the internal portion of the ear and the thumb to make masah of the external portion of the ear (behind the ear). (Abu Dawood #135) Thereafter, one will insert the baby finger or the index finger of both hands into the ear-holes to make it wet. (Aalamghiri 1/9 ; Shaami 1/121)
16. Make masah of the nape by using the back part of the fingers. (Masah will not be made of the neck). (Talkheesul Habeer 1/136 ; Tahtaawi pg. 74 ; Aalamghiri 1/8)
17. Wash the feet including the ankles thrice. It is mustahab to commence the washing of the feet from the toes going up to the ankles. (Muslim #226 ; Tahtaawi pg. 74)
18. Make khilaal of the toes using the small finger of the left hand. One should commence with the small toe of the right foot and end with the small toe of the left foot. (Tirmizi #40 ; Shaami 1/117)
19. Recite the shahaadah as well as the masnoon dua:

 أَشْهَدُ أَنْ لَّا إِلٰهَ إِلَّا اللّٰهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيْكَ لَهُ وَأَشْهَدُ أَنَّ مُحَمَّدًا عَبْدُهُ وَرَسُوْلُهُ اَللّٰهُمَّ اجْعَلْنِيْ مِنَ التَّوَّابِيْنَ وَاجْعَلْنِيْ مِنَ الْمُتَطَهِّرِيْنَ

I testify that there is no deity besides Allah who is alone and has no partner and I testify that Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is his servant and messenger. O Allah, include me from amongst those who repent excessively and include me amongst those who are extremely pure. (Tirmizi #55)

It is reported in the Hadith that the one who recites the above dua after wudhu, the eight doors of Jannah are opened for him and he may enter from whichever door he wishes (on the Day of Qiyaamah). (Tirmizi #55)

20. Make wudhu in sequence. (Tahtaawi pg. 73)
21. Wash the right limbs before the left limbs. (Bukhaari #168)
22. Rub each limb thoroughly to ensure that water reaches each part of the limb. (Shaami 1/127)
23. All the limbs should be washed one after the other without any delay in between. (Tahtaawi pg. 72)
24. Do not speak of worldly affairs while making wudhu. (Shaami 1/126)
25. Do not waste water while making wudhu. (Ibnu Maajah #425)
26. If any part of a limb which is fardh to wash in wudhu is left dry, the wudhu will be incomplete. (Muslim #243)

Masaa’il of Wudhu

Q: What are the faraa’idh of wudhu?

A: The faraa’idh of wudhu are as follows: 1) washing the entire face once 2) washing the hands including the elbows once 3) making masah of at least one quarter of the head 4) washing the feet including the ankles. (Surah Maa’idah, verse 6 ; Nurul Idaah pg. 30)

Q: If a person forgets to make masah of his head, will his wudhu be valid?

A: Masah is fardh in wudhu. If any fardh act is omitted, the wudhu will not be valid. (Muslim #243)

Q: Is it necessary to wash the area between the sideburns and ears in wudhu?

A: Yes, it is necessary. (Shaami 1/97)

Q: Is it necessary for one to repeat the masah in the case where one had his hair cut after making wudhu?

A: No, it is not necessary. (Shaami 1/101)

Q: Is it necessary to remove any rings and bangles when making wudhu?

A: If water reaches the area beneath the rings and bangles without removing it, it will not be necessary to remove the rings and bangles. (Aalamghiri 1/6)

Q: When performing wudhu, when should I make khilaal of my fingers?

A: Khilaal of the fingers will be made after washing the hands. (Shaami 1/117)

Q: When should khilaal of the beard be made in wudhu? If my beard is not long enough, do I still need to make khilaal of my beard?

A: Khilaal of the beard takes place after washing the face. If the beard is small but it is thick (i.e. the skin beneath the beard is not visible), then one will wash the face and thereafter make khilaal of the beard. However, if the beard is small and the skin beneath the beard is visible, then in this case, khilaal of the beard will not be made. Instead, it is necessary to make the water reach the skin of the face when washing the face. (Shaami 1/117)

Q: What is the method of making khilaal of the beard?

A: Khilaal of the beard should be made by passing the wet fingers of one hand through the beard from beneath the chin. (Aalamghiri 1/9)

Q: What is the sunnah method of making masah of the head?

A: The sunnah method of making masah of the head is that one passes both wet hands over the entire head once, commencing from the front portion of the head to the back. (Shaami 1/120)

Q: Will my salaah be valid behind an Imaam who makes masah over ordinary cotton socks?

A: According to the four Imaams of fiqh, masah on cotton socks is not valid. If the masah is not valid then the wudhu is incomplete, and if the wudhu is incomplete then the salaah will not be valid. (Hidaayah 1/61 ; Al-Umm 1/34 ; Al-Istidhkaar 2/253; Al-Mughni 1/331)

Virtue of Ghusl

A Means of Being Purified from Minor Sins

Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once addressed Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) saying, “O Anas! When you have a fardh bath, then wash your body thoroughly. Through washing your body, you will be cleansed of all your minor sins.” Hazrat Anas (radhiyallahu ‘anhu) then asked Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam), “How should I ensure that I have washed my body thoroughly?” Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) replied, “When bathing, ensure that you wet the roots of your hair and thoroughly rub the skin of your body.” (Majma’uz Zawaa’id #1470)

Sunnah Method of Making Ghusl

1. Do not face the qiblah while performing ghusl. (Alamghiri 1/14)
2. Bath in such a place where no one can see you. It is better to perform ghusl with the satr area covered. However, if one is in an enclosed area (e.g. bathroom) and one performs ghusl without the satr covered, it will be permissible. (Alamghiri 1/14)
3. Preferably use a bucket to bath. (Tirmizi #62)
4. If you are performing ghusl in the shower then ensure that you do not waste water. Do not engage in soaping yourself or removing unwanted hair, etc. while the water is running. This is a serious waste of water and is a cause of great sin. (Alamghiri 1/14)
5. Preferably perform ghusl while sitting. (Durrul Mukhtaar 1/156)
6. Commence the ghusl by washing both hands up to the wrists thrice. (Alamghiri 1/14)
7. Wash the private parts with the left hand. The hands and private parts should be washed irrespective of whether there is any impurity on them or not. (Hashiyahut Tahtaawi Pg. 104)
8. Wash any impurity found on the rest of the body. (Alamghiri 1/14)
9. Perform the complete wudhu. If you are bathing in a place where the water collects on the ground and there is no water outlet, then postpone the washing of your feet to the end of the ghusl. After completing the other acts of the ghusl, you should move to another place and wash your feet. (Hashiyahut Tahtaawi Pg. 105)
10. Pour water on the head thrice. (Shaami 1/159)
11. Pour water over the right side of the body thrice from top to bottom and thereafter pour water over the left side of the body thrice from top to bottom. Ensure that water reaches every part of the body. (Shaami 1/159)
12. If you are performing a fardh ghusl, then ensure that water reaches every part of the body, especially the mouth, inside the nose, the corner of the eyes, inside the navel, etc. No part should be left dry. Even if an area equal to a hair’s breadth is left dry, the fardh ghusl will not be complete. (Badaai’us Sanaa’i 1/267)
13. Do not waste water during the ghusl. Too much of water should not be used, nor should so little be used, that one is unable to wash thoroughly. (Alamghiri 1/14)
14. Do not engage in talking, singing or any type of conversation while performing ghusl. (Alamghiri 1/14)
15. Do not recite any duas while bathing. (Shaami 1/156)
16. Do not take too long in the bathroom, especially if it is a common bathroom which others also use. (Alamghiri 1/8 & Durrul Mukhtaar 1/156)
17. Do not mess the bathroom with unwanted hair. (Al-Ikhtiyaar 4/167)
18. Be considerate when using hot water. Do not use so much that those coming after you are inconvenienced by not having enough hot water. (Bukhaari #10)
19. After bathing, wipe the body with a cloth or towel. (Alamghiri 1/14)
20. Hasten to cover the body after bathing. (Tirmizi #2795)
21. Do not urinate in the shower. (Tirmizi #21 & Alamghiri 1/50