Wudu | How to perform Wudu?

The Intense Love of Usman-e-Ghani رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ for the Exalted Prophet ﷺ

Hadrat Sayyiduna ‘Usman-e-Ghani رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ once asked someone to bring water at a particular place and performed Wudu. Thereafter, he رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ smiled and asked his companions if they knew why he had smiled. Then, he رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ himself answered, “Once the beloved and blessed Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیّہِ وَسَلَّم performed Wudu at this very place; then smiled and asked his companions, ‘Do you know why I smiled?’ The companions replied, ‘Allah عز وجل and His Rasul صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیّہِ وَسَلَّم know the best.’ The Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیّہِ وَسَلَّم said, ‘When a person performs Wudu and washed his hands, the sins of his hands are washed away; when he washes his face, the sins of his face are washed away; when he wipes his head, the sins of his head are washed away and when he washes his feet, the sins of his feet are washed away.””
(Musnad Imam Ahmad, pp. 130, vol. 1, Hadis 415)

Dear Islamic Brothers! Did you notice how the blessed companions عليهم الرضوان would imitate every act and every Sunnah of the Holy Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیّہِ وَسَلَّم with great passion? This narration also provides us a remedy for sins. الحمد ﷲ عز وجل rinsing the mouth results in the sins of the mouth being washed away, washing the nose results in the sins of the nose being washed away, washing the face results in the sins of the face including the eye lashes being washed away, washing the hands results in the sins of hands and those beneath the nails being washed away, wiping the head (and ears) results in the sins of the head and ears being washed away and washing the feet results in sins of both feet including those beneath the toenails being washed away.

Sins Wiped Away

Hadrat ‘Allamah ‘Abdul Wahhab Sha’rani رَحمَۃُ اللہِ تَعالٰی عَلَیہ says that once Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam-e-Azam Hanifah رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ was in the Wudu area of the Jamiah Masjid in Kufah where he saw a young man performing Wudu . Drops of used water of Wudu were tricking from his body. The Imam رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ said, “Son! Repent of disobeying your parents.” The young man instantly replied, “I repent.” The Imam رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ then saw drops of water dripping from the body of another man and said, “O brother! Repent from fornication.” The man replied, “I repent.” The Imam رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ then saw drops of water dripping from the body of a third person and said, “Repent of taking wine and listening to music.” He replied, “I repent.” Hadrat Sayyiduna Imam Abu Hanifah رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ had been given the power of Kashf (spiritual insight) and was able to see the faults of people. He prayed Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ to take back this faculty of intuition from him. Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ answered his prayer and henceforth he could no longer see the sins of people being washed away during Wudu. (Al-Mizan-ul-Kubra, vol. 1, pp. 130)

The Whole Body Purified

According to summary of two sayings of the Prophet of mankind, the peace of our heart and mind, the generous and kind صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیّہِ وَسَلَّم, “The person who begins Wudu by saying بِسّمِ اللہ, his whole body from head to toe gets purified and the one who does not say بِسّمِ اللہ before Wudu, only washed portion of his body gets purified.” (Sunan Dar Qutni, pp. 108, 109, vol. 1, Hadis 228, 229)

Excellence of Sleeping in the State of Wudu

A Hadis states, “The person who sleeps in the state of Wudu is similar to one who worships in the state of fasting.” (Kanz-ul-‘Ummal, pp. 123, vol. 9, Hadis 25994)

The One who Dies in the State of Wudu is a Shahid

The beloved and blessed Rasul صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیّہِ وَسَلَّم said to Hadrat Sayyiduna Anas رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ, “Son! If you have the capability of remaining in the state of Wudu all the time, then do so, because Shahadat is written down for the one whose soul is captured by the angel of death in the state of Wudu.” (Shu’bul Iman, pp. 29, vol. 3, 2783)
A’la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza khan عَلَیّہِ رَحّمَۃُ الرَّحّمٰن says, “Keeping Wudu all the time is Mustahab.”

A Tip to Avoid Troubles

Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ said to Hadrat Sayyiduna Musa عَلٰی نَبِیِّنَاوَعَلَیہِ الصَّلوۃُ وَالسَّلَام, “O Musa! You should take yourself to task if you face a trouble when not in state of Wudu.” (Shu’bul Iman, pp. 29, vol. 3, 2782)

“Remaining in state of Wudu all times is a Sunnah of Islam.” (Fatawa Radawiyyah (Jadid), pp. 702, vol. 1)

Seven Benefits of Keeping Wudu

Imam-e-Ahl-e-Sunnat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan عَلَیّہِ رَحّمَۃُ الرَّحّمٰن says, “Some saints رَحِمَھُمُ اللہُ تَعَالٰی have said that anyone who stays in a state of Wudu at all times may be awarded with seven bounties by Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ:

1. Angels will be enthusiastic to avail his company.
2. The holy pen will keep on writing good deeds for him.
3. His organs will perform Tasbih of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.
4. He will never miss his Takbir-e-Tahrimah (first Takbir of Salah).
5. When he sleeps, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ sends Angels who will protect him from the evils of jinns and human beings.
6. He will feel easiness in severe fits of death.
7. He will remain in the safeguard of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ as long as he is in the state of Wudu.” (ibid, pp. 702, 703)

Double Sawab

No doubt, it is difficult to perform Wudu when It’s cold or when we are tired or suffering from flu, headache or any other illness, but if someone performs Wudu in such a state of difficulty, according to Hadis he will be awarded twice the Sawab. (Al-Mujam-ul-Awsat-lit-Tabrani, pp. 106, vol. 4, Hadis 5366)

Method of Wudu (Hanafi)

It is Mustahab to sit on an elevated place facing Qiblah. To make intention for Wudu is Sunnah. Intention means to intend by heart. Verbal intention is preferable provided the same is present in the heart. Therefore, make intention as, “I am performing Wudu in order to fulfil the commandment of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and to attain purity.” Recite بِسّمِ اللہ as it is also a Sunnah, rather say بِسّمِ اللہ وَالّحَمّدُلِلّٰہ, as angels will continue writing good deeds as long as one is in the state of Wudu. (Majma’-uz-Zawaid, pp. 513, vol. 1, Hadis 1112) Wash both hands up to the wrists three times each and afterwards do Khilal (to intermix fingers of both hands to dampen the gaps) of the fingers (with the tap closed). Now use Miswak three times in right & left, upper & lower teeth and after each cycle, rinse the Miswak. Hujja-tul-Islam Imam Muhammad Ghazali عَلَیہِ رَحّمَۃُاللہِ الوَالی says, “Whilst using a Miswak, make intention to clean mouth for the recitation of the Holy Quran and for the Zikr (Remembrance) of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.” (Ihya-ul-‘Ulum, pp. 182, vol. 1)

Now rinse your mouth three times with handfuls of water (closing the tap each time) using right hand making sure that water reaches all parts of the mouth and gargle as well if you are not in fasting. Now sniff water three times in nose up to soft flesh using three handfuls (now half handful is sufficient) of right hand (closing the tap  each time) and if not in fasting, snuffle water up to the inside end of the nose. Now clean the nose by left hand (keeping the tap turned off) and insert small finger inside holes of the nose. Wash the whole face three times such that water must flow on every part from the top of the forehead (the point where the hair naturally beings to grow) to the bottom of the chin and from one earlobe to the other. If one has beard and he is not in the state of Ihram (Special state for Haj / ‘Umrah) then do Khilal (with the tap turned off) of beard by inserting the fingers into the beard from the neck and bringing them out towards the front. Now wash the right arm from the tips of the fingers up to (and including) the elbow three times and then wash the left arm in the same manner. To wash up to half of the upper arm is Mustahab. Most people take a small amount of water in their hand and pour it over their arm towards the elbow three times. But in this method, there is risk that water would not flow over the edges of wrist and arm. Therefore, wash arms as mentioned. Now there is no need to pour a handful of water over the arms. In fact, doing this (without a valid justification) is wastage of water. Now (with the tap closed) perform moistening of the head. This should be done by joining the tips of the three fingers, other than the index fingers and thumbs, of both hands and placing them on the top of forehead. Move back these fingers from forehead to the back of the neck without letting the palms touch the head. Each palm should then be placed on either side of the head and pulled across the sides back towards the forehead. During this, the index fingers and thumbs should not touch the head at all. Now use the index fingers to wipe the insides of the ears, the thumbs for the back of ears and the small fingers should be inserted inside the holes of ears. Now moisten the back of the neck using the back of fingers of both hands. Some people, in addition, wipe the front of the neck, the forearms and wrists; this is not Sunnah. Make a habit of turning the tap off before wiping the head. To waste water by leaving the tap open fully or partially is a sin. Now wash both feet three times, first the right and then the left, beginning from the toes up to the top of the ankles. It is Mustahab to wash up to halfway up the shin. To do Khilal between the fingers of both feet is Sunnah. The tap should be kept turned off during Khilal. Its Mustahab method is to start doing Khilal from little toe of the right foot to its big toe using the small finger of the left hand, and then, doing Khilal from the big toe of the left foot to its little toe using the same small finger of the left hand. (Common books)

Hujja-tul-Islam Imam Muhammad Ghazali عَلَیہِ رَحّمَۃُاللہِ الوَالی says, “while washing each organ, one should hope that the sins of that organ are being washed away.” (Ihya-ul-‘Ulum, pp. 183, vol. 1)

Recite this Dua after Wudu (with Durud Sharif before and after it).

Translation
O Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ! Make me amongst those who repent abundantly and make me amongst those who stay clean.
(Jami’ Tirmizi, pp. 121, vol. 1, Hadis 55)

Allah Eight Portals of Heaven get Open

One Hadis mentions, “If a person does Wudu properly and reads Kalima-e-Shahadah, all 8 portals of Heaven are opened for him and he may enter through any one he desires.” (Sunan Darimi, pp. 196, vol. 1, Hadis 716)

The Excellence of Reciting Sura-e-Qadr after Wudu

One sacred Hadis mentions, “If a person reads Sura-e-Qadr once after Wudu, he will be amongst the Siddiqin and if he reads it twice he will be amongst the Shuhada and if he reads it three times, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ will keep him with His prophets عَلَیّھمُ السَّلَام on the Day of Judgement.” (Kanz-ul-‘Ummal, pp. 132, vol. 9, Hadis 26085, Al-Havi-lil-Fatawa-lis-Suyuti, pp.  402, 403, vol. 1)

Eyesight Never Goes Weak

If a person looks up to the sky after Wudu and reads Sura-e-Qadr, اِنّ شَآءَﷲ عَزَّوَجَلَّ his eyesight will never become weak. (Masaail-ul-Quran, pp. 291)

Four Faraid of Wudu

1. Washing the face
2. Washing both arms including the elbows
3. Moistening a quarter of the head
4. Washing both feet including the ankles. (Fatawa-e-‘Alamgiri, pp. 3,4,5, vol. 1, Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 288, vol. 1)

Definition of ‘Washing’

Washing an organ means flowing of at least two drops of water on each part of that organ. If the organ is simply moistened by rubbing a wet hand over it, or if only one drop of water flows over a section of it then it will not be considered washed and the Wudu or Ghusl will not be valid in that case. (Fatawa Radawiyyah (Jadid), pp. 218, vol. 1, Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 288, vol. 1)

Fourteen Sunan of Wudu

Some Sunan and Mustahab acts have already been mentioned under the heading “Method of Wudu (Hanafi).” Further details are as under.

1. Making intention
2. Reading بِسّمِ اللہ. If بِسّمِ اللہ وَالّحَمّدُلِلّٰہ is read before making Wudu, angels will write good deeds for him as long as one is the state of Wudu. (Majma’-uz-Zawaid, pp. 513, vol. 1. Hadis 1112)
3. Washing both hands up to the wrists three times
4. Using Miswak three times
5. Rinsing the mouth three times using three handfuls of water
6. Gargling, if not in fasting
7. Sniffing water into the nose three times using three half handfuls of water
8. Doing Khilal of beard (when not in the state of Ihram)
9. Doing Khilal of the hand fingers
10. Doing Khilal of foot toes
11. Moistening the whole head only once
12. Moistening the ears
13. Maintaining the order of the Faraid (i.e. washing the face first, then the arms, then wiping the head and then washing the feet)
14. Washing next part before the previously washed one dries. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 293, 294, vol. 1)

Twenty-Nine Mustahabbat of Wudu

1. Facing the Qiblah
2. Making Wudu at an elevated place
3. Making Wudu sitting
4. Stroking hand on organs while washing them
5. Doing Wudu calmly
6. Moistening the organs of Wudu prior to washing, especially in winter
7. Avoiding taking assistance in making Wudu from anyone without necessity
8. Rinsing the mouth using the right hand
9. Sniffing water into the nose using the right hand
10. Using the left hand to clean the nose
11. Inserting the small finger of the left hand into the nostrils
12. Moistening the back of the neck using the back of the hands
13. Inserting the wet small finger of each hand into each ear whilst wiping the ears
14. Displacing the finger ring if it is loosely fit and it is sure that water has flowed on skin beneath it. If ring is snug fit, it is mandatory to displace the ring so that water may flow beneath it.
15. Doing Wudu before the beginning of the time of the Salah if one is not a Mazur-e-Shari [Detailed rulings regarding Mazur-e-Shari are presented ahead in this booklet].
16. For a person who performs Wudu perfectly i.e. whose no due part remains unwashed, taking special care for washing of inward corners of his eyes towards nose, ankles, heels, soles, thick muscles above heals, the gaps between fingers and elbows is Mustahab. For non-caring people, it is Fard to take special care for these parts as it has been observed that such parts often remain dry due to carelessness. Such carelessness is Haram and to take care is Fard.
17. Keeping the lota (ewer) towards left side. In case of using a tub or dish for Wudu, keep it towards right side.
18. While washing the face, wide-spreading the water on the forehead such that some additional upper part may get washed
19. Enhancing the brilliance of face and
20. Arms and feet; this means spreading water over a bit more areas around the Fard areas, e.g. washing the arms to half length above the elbow and washing the feet beyond the ankles up to half length of the shin.
21. Using both hands for washing the face
22. Starting from the fingers when washing the hands and feet
23. Wiping away droplets of each organ by hands after washing so that drops of water may not fall upon body or clothes especially when one has to enter a Masjid because dripping of Wudu water-drops on to the floor of the Masjid is Makruh-e-Tahrimi
24. Remembrance of the intention for Wudu at the time of washing / wiping of organs
25. Reciting Durud Sharif and Kalima-e-Shahadat in addition to بِسّمِ اللہ at the beginning
26. Do not unnecessarily mop the washed organs and if mopping is necessary, avoid drying them completely i.e. leave some wetness, because on the Day of Judgment it will be weighed with the pious deeds.
27. Do not jerk hands after Wudu to remove droplets of water as it is Satan’s fan.
28. Sprinkling water on that part of Shalwar (A type of loose trouser) which is closer to urinary organ.
    When sprinkling water on to the Shalwar, it is better to keep the front part of the Shalwar hidden under the kurta. In fact, keeping this part of the Shalwar concealed during the whole Wudu and at all other times using Kameez or a shawl is closer to modesty.
29. Offering two Rakat Nafl Salah after Wudu if it is not a Makruh time. These Nawafil are called Tahiyya-tul-Wudu. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 293-300, vol. 1)

Fifteen Makruhat of Wudu

1. Sitting in a vile place for Wudu
2. Draining the water used in Wudu in a vile place
3. Dripping water droplets from wet Wudu organs into ewer etc. (While washing the face, drops of water usually fall into water carried in the hands. This should be avoided.)
4. Spitting saliva, phlegm or rinsing mouth in the direction of Qiblah
5. Using water in excess (Sadr-ush-Shariah Mufti Maulana Amjad ‘Ali رَحمَۃُ اللہِ تَعالٰی عَلَیہ says in Bahar-e-Shariat Part two, Page 23, Published in Madina-tul-Murshid Bareilly Sharif, “Half a handful of water is sufficient for sniffing into the nose, so taking a complete handful for nose in wastage.”)
6. Using so less quantity of water that Sunnah cannot be followed. (Neither turn the tap on so much that causes wastage of water nor so less that causes difficulty in following Sunnah; instead it should be moderate.)
7. Splashing water on face
8. Blowing onto water while pouring over the face
9. Washing the face with only one hand as this is a custom of Rawafid and Hindus
10. Wiping the front of the neck
11. Rinsing the mouth or sniffing water into the nose using left hand
12. Cleaning the nose with the right hand
13. Using three sets of unused water to moisten the head three times.
14. Using hot water heated by sun beams
15. Closing the eyes and lips tightly. If these parts remained unwashed due to be kept tightly closed, the Wudu would not be complete. To abandon any sunnah of Wudu is Makruh and to leave any Makruh of Wudu is Sunnah. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 300-301, vol. 1)

An Important Ruling about Used Water

If you are without Wudu and your hand, fingertip, fingernail, toenail or any other part of your body that must be washed during Wudu comes into contact with water covering less than the surface area of 25 square yards or 225 square feet for example, water in a bucket or tub, that water will become Musta’mal (used), and it can no longer be used for Wudu or Ghusl, regardless of whether this was done deliberately or unintentionally. Similarly, if Ghusl is due and any unwashed part of the body comes into contact with water, this water cannot be used for Wudu or Ghusl. However, it doesn’t matter if washed hand or washed part of body comes into contact with the water. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 333, vol. 1) (Please study part 2 of Bahar-e-Shariat for more information on Musta’mal water.)

Attention All Pan (Betel Leaves) Eaters
A’la Hadrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan عَلَیّہِ رَحّمَۃُ الرَّحّمٰن says, “Those who are addicted to Pan know from experience that small particles of the Pan get stuck in all parts of the mouth (especially when there are gaps in the teeth) and rinsing the mouth three times or even ten times does not help in cleaning it properly. In fact, even using a toothpick or Miswak does not help, been mentioned in numerous Ahadis that when a person stands to offer Salah, an angel places mouth on his mouth and anything he recites comes out of his mouth and enters the mouth of the angel. If, at that time, there are particles of food stuck in his teeth, the angels feel so severe distress by it that nothing else cause so severe distress to them.

        Beloved Rasul of Allah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیّہِ وَسَلَّم said, “When you stand at night to offer Salah, you should clean your teeth with a Miswak because when you recite the Quran an angel places his mouth on yours and anything coming out of your mouth enters the mouth of that angel.” (shu’bul Iman, pp. 381, vol. 2, Hadis 2117) There is a report narrated by Hadrat Sayyiduna Abu Ayyub Ansari رَضِيَ اللهُ تَعَالٰی عَنهُ in the book Kabir written by Imam Tabarani رَحمَۃُ اللہِ تَعالٰی عَلَیہ that there is nothing more troublesome for both angels than seeing their companion offering Salah with pieces of food stuck in the teeth. (Mu’jam Kabir, pp. 177, vol. 4, Hadis 4061, Fatawa-e-Radaviyyah, pp. 624-625, vol. 1)

A Great Point of Tasawwuf (Sufism)
Hujja-tul-Islam Imam Muhammad Ghazali عَلَیہِ رَحّمَۃُاللہِ الوَالی says, ‘When you pay your attention towards Salah after completing you Wudu, now imagine: “The parts of my body that people can see are purified but standing in the court of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ without a purified heart is shameful because Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ sees hearts as well.” He further adds, “One should remember that the sanctity of the heart lies in repentance, abandoning sins and adopting nice ethics. A person who neglects the inner purity and pays attention to the outer purity only is like a person who invites a king to his house for a feast and in order to please the king he cleans, polishes and colors the outside of his house but neglects the interior. How will the king feel when he enters his house and sees filth everywhere? Will he  be happy or displeased? Every wise person may understand how the king would react.” (Ihya-ul-‘Ulum, pp. 185, vol. 1)

Five Rulings Regarding Bleeding from Wound

1. Blood, pus or yellowish fluid came out, flowed and it could reach to a part of the body that is Fard to be washed in Wudu or Ghusl, Wudu will become invalid. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 304, vol. 1)
2. If the blood just emerged on the surface and did not flow, for example when the skin is cut slightly with the point of a sewing pin, knife or while using a toothpick or Miswak to clean your teeth or while biting an apple causing impression of blood on apple or if traces of blood seen on finger after inserting it into nose but not capable of flowing, Wudu will not be affected. (ibid)
3. If it flows but not onto the surface of skin that must be washed in Wudu or Ghusl (e.g. you have a spot in your eye that bursts but the fluid remains within the eyelids or you feel bleeding inside your ear canal but the blood stays inside), Wudu will not be affected. (ibid, pp. 27)
4. Even if the wound is quite large and the fluid is visible, Wudu will not become null (invalid) unless the fluid (pus/blood) flows from the wound. (ibid)
5. If one kept on cleaning the emerging blood from the wound and did not let it flow, then ponder whether the cleaned quantity was capable of flowing or not. If yes, Wudu will become invalid and otherwise, not. (ibid)

Do Injections Nullify Wudu?

1. In case of inter muscular injection, Wudu will become invalid provided blood comes out in such an amount that could flow.
2. However, in case of Intravenous (IV) injection, blood is first drawn into the needle and its quantity is enough to make it capable of flow, hence it would nullify the Wudu.
3. Similarly, when liquid glucose is injected into veins via a drip, the Wudu will no longer remain valid because in such cases blood rises into the tube in the amount that could flow. If somehow, blood does not enter the tube, Wudu will not be affected.
4. Getting blood out of body through a syringe for a blood test will also nullify the Wudu. This blood is as impure as urine. Therefore, do not offer Salah with a bottle of blood in pocket.

Tears of an Ailing Eye

1. Tears that flow out due to an infection or illness of the eyes are impure and would also nullify Wudu. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 310, vol. 1) Unfortunately, many people are unaware of this ruling and they mop away such tears like ordinary tears with their sleeves or clothes thus making their clothes impure.
2. The fluid discharged from the eye of a blind man due to disease is impure and nullifies Wudu. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 306, vol. 1)
3. Any fluid that is discharged from the human body but could not nullify Wudu is not impure. Examples are blood or pus that cannot flow, or vomit that is less than a mouthful. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 309, vol. 1)

Blisters and Pimples

1. If a blister is burst by rubbing and its fluid flowed, Wudu would become invalid; otherwise not. (ibid, pp. 305)
2. If the pimple has completely healed; just its dead skin has remained with an opening on the top and space inside, if water fills inside the skin that is pressed to take the water out; neither Wudu will become invalid nor that water is impure. However, if some wetness of blood etc. was present inside it, Wudu will become invalid and that ejected water is also impure. (Fatawa Radawiyyah (Jadid), pp. 355-356, vol. 1)
3. If there is no flowing fluid in pimple or if itching does not cause fluid-flowing; there is just stickiness, no matter how many times clothes touch it, they will remain pure. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 310, vol. 1)
4. While cleaning the nose, if dried up blood came out, it would not affect the Wudu; however, repeating the Wudu is preferred. (Fatawa Radawiyyah (Jadid), pp. 281, vol. 1)

When does Vomiting Nullify One’s Wudu?
Vomiting food or water that is a mouthful invalidates Wudu. It is considered a mouthful when it cannot be prevented easily. This vomit is as impure as urine, so it is vital to protect the clothes and body from being stained by it. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 306 etc, vol. 1)

Rulings about Laughing

1. If an adult laughed in a Salah, consisting of Ruku’ and Sujud, so loudly that people in vicinity heard his laughing, his Wudu and Salah, both became invalid. If he laughed loudly such that only he listened to it, his Salah will become null (invalid) but there will be no effect on his Wudu. Smiling (without creating a sound) will not nullify Wudu and Salah. (Maraqil Falah, pp. 91)
2. If one laughs loudly in a funeral prayer, his Salah will become invalid but there will be no effect on his Wudu. (ibid, pp. 92)
3. Although laughing when not offering Salah does not invalidate Wudu, renewal of Wudu is Mustahab. (Maraqil Falah, pp. 84)
   Our Holy Prophet ﷺ never laughed loudly so we should attempt to revive this Sunnah and avoid laughing loudly. Our beloved and blessed Prophet ﷺ has said: “Smiling is from Allah عزوجل and laughing is from Satan.” (Al-Mujam-us-Saghir, pp. 104, vol. 2)

Does Looking at a Person’s Sitr Nullify Wudu?

Many amongst the public believe that unveiling one’s own knees or Sitr (private part of body below navel up to knees) or looking at one’s own or someone else’s knees or Sitr nullifies Wudu; this is a wrong concept. However, to keep the Sitr covered is one of the manners of Wudu; in fact the Sitr should be covered immediately after Istinja (excretion washing). To unveil the Sitr unnecessarily is prohibited and to unveil it before others is Haram. (Bahr-e-Shariat, pp. 309, vol. 1)

The Wudu Done during Ghusl is Sufficient

Once Wudu is done during Ghusl (ritual bath), It does not need to be repeated again. Even if one does not perform Wudu during Ghusl, he will be considered to have performed it because the organs of Wudu get washed during Ghusl. Changing clothes does not affect Wudu.

Blood in Saliva

1. If there is bleeding in the mouth and the blood dominates the saliva, it will invalidate the Wudu; otherwise not. The blood will be considered dominant if the saliva is reddish and this saliva will be impure. If the saliva is yellowish in color, saliva will be considered dominant over blood and therefore the Wudu will not become invalid and this saliva will not be considered impure. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 305, vol. 1)
2. In case of blood being dominant over saliva, taking water from a cup or container by touching mouth will render the container and all its contents impure. Hence, in such a case, it is advisable to take water in hand from the cup for rinsing of mouth. Also take care against sprinkling of this impure water on clothes.

Urine and Vomit of an Infant

1. The urine of an infant, even a one day old, is as impure as of anybody else. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 390, vol. 1)
2. If an infant vomits a mouthful of milk, it is as impure as urine, but if the milk has not reached the stomach and has reversed from the chest, it will not be impure. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 310, vol. 1)

Five Rulings about Uncertainty in Wudu

1. If you are dubious as to whether or not you have washed a particular organ in Wudu and if this is the first such incident in your life, wash that organ and if you have had the same doubt occasionally, ignore it. If you have similar doubt after Wudu, ignore it. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 310, vol. 1)
2. If you had Wudu but later had doubt whether or not it has become invalid, you are in the state of Wudu, because doubt does not affect the Wudu. (ibid, pp. 311)
3. Repeating wudu in case of Waswasah (satanic whisperings) is not a caution; instead it is obedience to Satan. (ibid)
4. Wudu will remain valid until you are so sure that you can swear that your Wudu has nullified.
5. If you know that any organ has been left unwashed during Wudu, but cannot recall which one is that, wash your left foot. (Dur-re-Mukhtar, pp. 310, vol. 1)

If Dog Touches the Body

Clothes do not become impure if they come into contact with the body of a dog, even if it is wet. However, the saliva of dog is impure. (Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 395, vol. 1)

When and When not Sleeping would Nullify Wudu
There are two coincident conditions for the invalidation of Wudu due to sleep:

1. Both buttocks not being seated firmly
2. Sleeping in a manner that does not prevent deep sleep

If both above conditions co-exist, sleeping would nullify the Wudu

            Following are ten positions of sleeping that do not effect Wudu

1. Sitting with both buttocks seated on ground and both legs stretched out in one direction. (e.g. sitting on a chair, in a bus/train seat)
2. Sitting with both buttocks on the ground and both shins encircled by hands; regardless of whether hands are on ground or head is rested onto the knees
3. Sitting cross-legged, whether on ground or a bed etc.
4. Sitting with folded legs and straight (as in Qa’dah)
5. Sitting on a saddled horse or mule
6. Sitting on the bare back of horse or mule provided it is walking uphill or on plain path
7. Sleeping against a pillow with the buttocks firmly resting on the ground, even if he falls down on the removal of pillow
8. Standing
9. In Ruku’ position
10. In the position defined for Sajdah of men according to Sunnah i.e. belly and thighs separated, arms and sides separated

Sleeping in above positions will not nullify Wudu. Even if one is in Salah, the Salah will not be nullified either, even if one sleeps deliberately. However, the part of Salah that is spent asleep must be repeated. If any act is offered partly awake and partly asleep, the part offered awake does not need to be repeated but the part offered asleep must be repeated.

Following are ten positions of sleeping that nullify Wudu;

1. In a half sitting position (with the buttocks not touching the ground)
2. Sleeping on one’s back
3. Sleeping on one’s belly
4. Sleeping on one’s side
5. Sleeping with one elbow raised
6. Sitting down leaning to one side with one or both buttocks lifted off the ground
7. Sitting on the bare back of an animal walking downwards
8. Sleeping in the position of Tashahhud with the stomach pressed against the thighs and both buttocks no pressed firmly
9. Sitting with legs folded and head resting on thighs or shins
10. In the position of Sajdah if it is done according to the female method (stomach pressed against the thighs, arms against sides, forearms on the ground)

Sleeping in any of these positions will nullify the Wudu regardless of whether or not a person is in Salah. However, deliberately sleeping in any of the mentioned postures will nullify the Salah too. If it is unintentional, only the Wudu will break and not the Salah. After completing Wudu, one can resume the Salah from where he left off (under certain conditions) but if he is unaware of the conditions he should start from the beginning. (Fatawa Radawiyyah (Jadid), pp. 365 to 367, vol. 1)