The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) often performed ablution afresh and sometimes perform a number of Salaah’s in continuity with the same ablution. [Zad -ul- Ma’ad]

Hadrat Laqit bin Sabirah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that he asked the Messenger of ALLAH to tell him about ablution (i.e. tell me the specific things which I should take care of in ablution) and he said: “Perform ablution completely (there should be no laxity) and (the second is that) let the water run between the fingers and toes, and (the third is that) snuff up water freely cleaning the nostrils fully unless you are fasting (i.e. during fast snuff up water lightly). [Ma’rif -ul- Hadis, sunan Abu Dawud, Timizi]

The messenger of ALLAH (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) often used to perform ablution by himself and occasionally some one would help him. [Zadul Ma’ad]

Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Messenger of ALLAH (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: “My people will be summoned on the day of resurrection with white faces and hands and feet from the marks of ablution. If any of you can extend his brightness, let him do so.”[Bukhari, Muslim]

THE MANNER OF PERFORMING WUDU

Hadrat Usman (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that one day he performed ablution, pouring water over his hands three times, then rinsing his mouth and snuffing up water, then washing his face three times, then washing his right arm upto the elbow three times, and similarly the left arm upto the elbow three times, then wiping his right foot three times, then the left three times. He then said, “I have seen the Messenger of ALLAH performing ablution as I have done just now, adding “If anyone performs ablution as I have done, then perform two Rakaat Salaah without allowing his thought to be distracted, his past offences will be forgiven him”. [Bukhari, Muslim]

While performing ablution, the Messenger of ALLAH used to recite the following supplication: I bear witness that there is no God but ALLAH, who is one and without partner, and I bear witness that Mohammad is His servant and apostle. O Allaah! Make me of those who turn to Thee (or, who repent) and make me of those who purify themselves, who have no fear and who shall not grieve: ‘According to the Sunan Nasal, the Messenger of ALLAH used to say after ablution.’ Glory to ALLAH! I bear witness that there is no God but Thou. I ask Thy pardon and turn to Thee in repentence. Hadrat Abu Musa al-Ashari (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that once he visited the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) when he was performing Wudu. He heard him saying. “O Allah! Forgive me my sins, make my house plentiful and bless me in sustenance.” Hadrat Al-Mustaurid bin Shaddad (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated: “I saw the Messenger of ALLAH rubbing his toes with his little finger when he performed ablution.” [Tirmizi-Abu Daud-Ibn Majah-Ma’riful Hadis]

Hadrat Anas (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that when the Messenger of ALLAH performed Wudu he took a handful of water, and putting it under his chin made it go through his beard, saying, “Thus did my ALLAH command me.” [Ma’rif -UI- Hadis, Sunnan Abu Dawud]

In performing ablution, the Messenger of ALLAH would use water freely but would impress upon his ummah to avoid wasting water.[Zadul Madd]

Hadrat Samura bin Jundab (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anha) narrated that the Messenger of ALLAH said: If any one performs ablution on Friday, well and good; but if any one takes bath, bathing is more excellent. [Ahmad, Abu Dawud, Tirmizi, Marif -ul- Hadis]

(1) For those whom it is obligatory to attend the congregational Salaah on Friday, it is masnun to take bath at any time between the Morning Salaah (Salaah fajr) and the congregational Salaah. (Jumah Salaah)

(2) So is the case with Salaah Eideen.

(3) It is masnun to take bath before donning lhram.

(4) For on performing Hajj it is Masnun to take bath on the day of ARFAH after the sun has crossed meridian. [Bahishti Gohar]

Hadrat Ibn Abbas (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated a tradition similar to the above one on the authority of (Hadrat) Maimunah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anha) which it is further related: ‘1 handed him a garment, but he did not take it, he went off shaking his hands.” [Bukhari, Muslim]

Full details of the way the Prophet (Sallailahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) used to take bath are available in these two traditions from Hadrat Aishah and (Hadrat) Maimunah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anha) These are: First of all he would wash both his hands three times (because it is with the hands that the rest of the body is washed). Then he would wash the private parts with the left hand pouring water on it with right hand. After that he would wash the left hand having rubbed it repeatedly on the ground or with soil. Next he would perform WUDU in the course of which he would rinse his mouth thrice with water, then he would snuff up water, clean the nose well and blow it, Then he would clean the inner side of his mouth and nose. After this he would pass his fingers through the hair of his beard as he usually did, and see that the water had reached the roots of the hair. He would similarly wash the hair of his head carefully ensuring that the water had reached the ends of the hair. Then he would wash the rest of his body. Finally, he would withdraw from the bathing place and wash his feet. (He probably did so because the bathing places were not solid and clean). [Marif-ul- Hadis]

Hadrat ‘Abdullah lbn Umar (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the prophet said: The women who is menstruating and the one who is seminally defiled must not recite any part of the Holy QURAAN. (This means that recitation of the Holy QURAAN, which is the holy word of ALLAH, is forbidden for both of them). [Marif -ul- Hadis, Tirmizi]

Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the messenger of ALLAH has said; There is sexual defilement under every hair, so wash the hair and cleanse the skin.” (So that portion of the body which remains hidden beneath the hair is purified) and that part of the body which is visible (on which there are no hair) should also be cleansed well and carefully. [Sunan Abu Dawud, Tirmizi, lbn Majah, Marif -ul- Hadis]

(2) The miswak should be rubbed on the gums at least three times and should be dipped in water every times.

(3) In case finger is to be used in place of miswak, then the upper and lower jaws on the right side should be cleaned with the thumb and the left side should be cleaned similarly with the first finger.

HOW TO HOLD THE MISWAK:

(4) The miswak should be held in such a manner that the small finger is below the miswak and the thumb is below the tip of it. The other finger should be on its upper side. [Shami] The miswak should be rubbed on the teeth from right to left and back. On the tongue it should be rubbed lengthwise. The inner and the outer sides of the teeth, the jaws and the upper and the lower sides of the mouth should also be clean with the miswak. [Tahavi]

OCCASIONS WHEN THE USE OF MISWAK (TOOTH – STICK) IS MASUN OR MUSTAHABB:

1) On awakening after sleep.

2) While performing Wudu (ablution).

3) Before recitation QURAAN.

4) Before reading or teaching the holy traditions.

5) When the mouth smells foul or the teeth appear to be dis-coloured.

6) When standing up if a long interval has elapsed between Wudu and Salaah.

7) Before meditation.

Before entering the Ka’bah or the Hateem.

9) After entering one’s house.

10) Before participating in any sacred gathering.

11) On getting hungry or thirsty.

12) At the time of taking Sehari (light food before fasting).

13) Before taking meals.

14) Before setting out for a journey.

15) On returning home from a journey.

16) Before going to bed.

17) On feeling the intimations of death. [Al-Targhib-wa-At-Tarhib]

(2) If the impurity has not spread on the sides of the affected part and water is either not available at all or is not sufficient for ISTINJA, then it is permissible to wipe the affected part clean with stones or earth until all the impurity has been removed and the body
has become free from it. However, being repugnant to be the basic idea of cleanliness and purity this method should be resorted to only in extreme circumstances. [Tanwir-Shami]

(3) No specific manner has been laid down for cleaning with mub. The only thing to be kept in mind is that the impurity does not spread around and that the body is rendered free from it. [Futuhe-Hidia]

(4) After cleaning with mud it is Masnun to clean with water. [Tirmizi]

(5) However, if the impurity covers a space larger than depression of a palm then it is obligatory to wash with water. Unless the impurity has been washed clean with water, Salaah will not be in order. If however, the impurity has not spread to that extent and one cleans it with only, then it is permissible to perform Salaah; nevertheless, this will be inconsistent with the Sunnah. [Sharahul Tanwir]

(6) Before entering the privy one should say BISMILLAAH and the masnun supplication.

(7) While entering the privy, one should put in the left foot first.

(8) One should not go to the privy bare – headed. [Zad -ul- Ma’ad]

(9) Before entering the privy, one should put off the ring on which the name of ALLAH or his Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) is engraved. [Nasai]

(10) Entering the privy with a ta’wiz encased in waxcloth or even ordinary cloth is permissible.

(11) If one has to sneeze while in the privy, he should say (AI-hamdulillaah) only in mind and not with tongue.

(12) As long as one is in the privy, one should not talk or speak. [Mishkat]

(13) While coming out of the privy one should put the right feet out and recite the prescribed prayer.

(14) Left hand should be used for cleaning. If the left hand is missing, the right hand may perforce be used.

(15) After ISTINJA one should rub the left hand well on the ground or with soil and then wash it.

(16) Sitting for natural evacuations at a place wherethat the miswak be used with the right hand: doing so is mustahabs (a praiseworthy act). Some of the commentators on the traditions have said that in using miswak one should begin with the right side.

Hadrat Aishah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anha) narrated that the Prophet’s miswak used to be kept near him at night, for when he got up to pray during the night, he cleaned his mouth with the tooth-stick before performing the ablution. [Bukhari, Muslim, lbn Sa’d]

Hadrat Aishah narrated that it was customary with the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) that when he got up after sleep by day or by night, he would use the tooth-stick before performing ablution. [Marif-ul- Hadis, Musnad Ahmad, Sunan Abu Dawud]

The last act of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) on his death-bed was to use a miswak. Hadrat Aishah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala An ha) narrated “The Salaah before which the tooth – stick is used is seventy times more excellent than that before which it is not used.” [Baihaqi in Shu’ab al-Iman]

When you go to relieve yourself, do not face or turn your back towards the QIBLAH.” Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has commanded that three stones be used, he forbade the use of dung and decayed bones, and also forbade the use of right hand for the purpose of ISTINJA. [Ma’rif -ul- Hadis, Sunnan Ibn Majah, Darimi]

Hadrat Abdullah bin mughaffal (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) has enjoined that no one should pass water in the bath room and then take a bath or perform Wudu at the same place because evil prompting come from such a practice. [Ma’rif -uI- hadis, Sunan Abu Dawud]

Hadrat Zaid-bin-Arqam (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) said: These privies are peopled by jinns and devils, so when one of you goes there he should say, “I seek refuge in ALLAH from the foul male and female devils.” [Abu Dawud; Ibn Majah, Ma’riful Hadis]

Hadrat Abdullah bin Arqam (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that he heard the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) say: “When the time for Salaah comes and one of you needs to relieve himself, he should do that first.” [Tirmizi, Sunan Abu Dawud, Ma’rif -ul- Hadis]

Once after the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) had passed urine Hadrat Umer brought a jug of water. The Prophet (Sallallahu AIaihi Wa Sallam) thereupon asked: O’mar! What is this water for? Omar replied, Water for your Wudu. The Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) remarked, I have not been required to perform Wudu each time after I have passed water, If I were do so, it will become a sunnah and an established practice. [Ma’ruf -ul- hadis]

(2) While entering the privy, he used to say: (‘O Allaah! I seek refuge in thee from the foul male and female devils)

(3) On coming out of Privy, he would say: (‘I seek thine forgiveness Praise be to ALLAH, who has removed harm from me and kept me in health) [Zad -ul- ma’ad, Tirmizi, Ibn Majah}

(4) When he sat down to answer a call of nature, he would not raise his garments until he was quite close to the ground. [Zad-ul Ma’ad]

(5) When he wanted to pass water, he would look for a soft ground. If he did not find such a place, he would dig and upturn the earth with a piece of wood or other hard thing to make the soil loose and soft. [Zad-ul-Ma’ad]

(6) Habib bin Saleh (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated that when the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) entered the privy, he would put on his shoes and cover his head. [lbn Sa’d]

(7) Sometimes he would use water for ISTINJA, or at other times mub and sometimes both: the number of mub would always be odd – at least three. He would use his left hand for ISTINJA. When he used water for this purpose, he would wash his hand after rubbing them on ground repeatedly. [Za’dul ma’ad]

(8) When he would sit on his knees to make water, he would keep his thighs wide apart. If he wanted to ease himself, he would sit behind a mound or hillock or a date palm etc.

(9) When he sat down to ease himself, he would neither face nor turn his back towards the QIBLAH. [Zad -ul- Ma’ad]

Hadrat Abu Hurairah (Radi Allaahu Ta’ala Anhu) narrated: whenever he would go to the privy, I used to give him water for ISTINJA. After which he would put his hands on the ground. Then I used to give him another jug of water with which he would perform WUDU (ablution). [Abu Daud]