ON THE VIRTUE OF WUDÛ’ (ABLUTION)

The Messenger of Allâh said: “He who performs a perfect wudû’and offers two rak‘ats of salâh without allowing his thoughts to stray therein shall come out from his sins like the day his mother gave birth to him.” Another narration states: “And does not forget anything in his salâh, his past sins are forgiven.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “Should I not inform you of that with which Allâh wipes out sins and with which He raises ranks? Performing a complete wudû’ despite difficulties, taking many steps to the musjids, and waiting for the next salâh immediately after the present salâh. That is real ribât!” [102] He said this three times.

Once the Messenger of Allâh performed ablution and washed each part once. He then said: “This wudû’: Allâh does not acceptsalâh without it.” On another occasion he performed ablution and washed each part two times. He then said: “He who washes each part two times, Allâh will give him his reward two times.” On another occasion he performed ablution and washed each part three times. He then said: “This is my way of ablution, the way of ablution of the Prophets before me, and the way of ablution of the friend of Allâh, Ibrâhîm .”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “He who engages in the remembrance of Allâh while performing his ablution, Allâh purifies his entire body. He who does not engage in the remembrance of Allâh [while performing ablution], only those parts where the water reaches are purified.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “He who performs ablution while already being in a state of purity, Allâh records ten good deeds for him.”

The Messenger of Allâh said: “When a person performs ablution and rinses his mouth, the sins come out from his mouth. When he blows his nose, the sins come out from his nose. When he washes his face, the sins come out from his face so much so that they come out from beneath his eyelids. When he washes his hands, the sins come out from his hands so much so that they come out from beneath his fingernails. When he passes his hand over his head, the sins come out from his head so much so that they come out from his ears. When he washes his feet, the sins come out from his feet so much so that they come out from beneath his toenails. His walking to the musjid and his salâh therein are then additional [sources of reward].”

It is related that a person who is in a state of purity is like a person who is fasting.

The Messenger of Allâh said: “Whoever from among you performs a complete wudû’ and then looks towards the sky and says the following words, the eight doors of Paradise are opened for him and he can enter from whichever one he desires.” The words are:

“I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allâh, who is one and has no partner. And I testify that Muhammad is His servant and Messenger.”

‘Umar said: “A perfect ablution repulses Satan from you.”

Mujâhid rahimahullâh said: “He who is able to sleep in a state of purity, engaging in the remembrance of Allâh and seeking forgiveness should do so because the souls are resurrected in the state in which they are taken away.”

It is related that ‘Umar ibn al-Khattâb sent an envoy to Egypt for the cover of the Ka‘bah. On his way, this envoy stopped at a place in Syria next to the monastery of a monk who was the most learned monk of the time. The envoy of ‘Umar wanted to meet this monk and see what type of knowledge he has. So he went to him and asked him to open his door. He did not open his door for quite some time. He then went to the monk and requested that he would like to listen to his knowledge. On hearing him talk, he was impressed by his knowledge. The envoy then complained to him for his making him wait so long at the door. The monk said: “I had already seen you when you were approaching my house with the awe of a king. I was awe-struck by you. I made you wait at the door because Allâh had said to Mûsâ []: ‘O Mûsâ! When you fear a king, perform ablution and order your family to perform ablution as well, for surely the person who performs ablution is under My protection from whatever he fears.’ I therefore locked the door from you till I and all those who are in my house performed ablution and we prayed. We felt safe thereafter and then we opened the door for you.”