What Are The Pillars Of Wudu? | 6 Pillars And Sunnah

Understanding the Sunnah and Pillars of Wudu is crucial, as it helps ensure that your Wudu is performed correctly. 

While the steps of Wudu are straightforward, mistakes can happen. It’s important to distinguish whether an error affects a pillar of Wudu or if it involves a non-essential Sunnah act.

If your Wudu becomes invalid, you must repeat the Salah you performed with it, once you realize the mistake. 

Therefore, knowing which parts of Wudu are essential pillars and which are not is vital. Learn all pillars of Wudu in this article.

6 Pillars Of Wudu

Wudu, the ritual purification in Islam, has six essential pillars that must be performed for it to be valid. 

The pillars of Wudu are fundamental; if any are omitted, the wudu is invalid.

Intention 

Intention is a crucial aspect of any act of worship, as highlighted by the famous hadith: “Deeds are by intentions” (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). 

In wudu, the intention refers to consciously performing the act as an act of worship to Allah, not merely as a routine of washing the face and hands.

 One should also intend to seek Allah’s forgiveness, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said that sins are removed from the body with wudu (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim). 

Face Washing

The first physical act of wudu, as stated in the Quran, is washing the face. The boundaries of the face extend vertically from the hairline (not considering baldness) to the end of the chin and horizontally from ear to ear. 

Washing the face involves ensuring that water reaches every part of this area, typically by gathering water in the palms and splashing it over the face while wiping it.

Washing Hands to Elbows

After washing the face, the hands must be washed up to the elbows, including the elbows themselves. 

This washing can begin either at the elbows, moving downward, or from the fingers, moving up to the elbows, as long as the entire area is covered with water. 

A practical method is to take water in the palm, raise the hand slowly, and let the water flow down to the elbow, ensuring that all parts of the hands are thoroughly washed.

Wiping Over the Head

The next step in wudu is wiping over the head, as mentioned in the Quran. Wiping differs from washing; it involves simply passing wet hands over the head. While scholars agree that wiping the entire head is preferable, they differ on whether it is mandatory. 

The Maliki and Hanbali schools consider it obligatory to wipe the whole head, while the Shafi’i and Hanafi schools believe wiping a part of the head is sufficient. 

Washing Feet to Ankles

The final act in wudu is washing the feet, which is obligatory. The Quranic verse on wudu is explicit about washing the feet, and it is not subject to wiping. 

In Arabic grammar, the feet are coupled with the face and hands rather than the head, indicating that washing is mandatory. 

This is further supported by the Sunnah, and all four Madhabs (schools of thought) agree on its necessity. 

The Prophet (peace be upon him) once saw a man who had not washed his heel and warned him, 

“Save your heels from hell-fire” 

(Sahih Muslim). 

Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that water reaches all parts of the foot, including the heels and ankles.

Order of Steps as Mentioned

The sequence in which these acts are performed is based on the Quran and Hadith. 

Many scholars consider following this order essential for the validity of wudu. 

However, this view is primarily held by the Shafi’i and Hanbali Madhabs, while the Maliki and Hanafi Madhabs regard it as a Sunnah rather than an obligation. 

Performing wudu in the prescribed order avoids scholarly disagreement and therefore it is more recommended .

There was the 6 pillars of Wudu, here you the etiquettes of the prayer, you can check our Islamic studies course.

6 Sunnah Of Wudu

In addition to the pillars of Wudu, there are six Sunnah acts that are highly recommended. These actions are considered desirable practices during ablution, known as Sunnah acts. 

Observing these practices brings reward while omitting them incurs no blame.

Using Siwak (Tooth-Stick)

It is recommended to use a siwak, especially while rinsing the mouth during ablution, to ensure oral cleanliness. 

This practice prepares one for worship, including reciting the Qur’an and invoking Allah, Almighty and Ever-Majestic.

Washing the Hands Three Times

Before washing the face, one should wash the hands three times, as emphasized in various hadiths. 

Since the hands are used to scoop water and cleanse other parts of the body, washing them first ensures the purity of the entire ablution process.

Rinsing the Mouth and Nose Before Washing the Face

It is Sunnah to rinse the mouth and nose before washing the face, as mentioned in several hadiths. When not fasting, one should thoroughly rinse the mouth and sniff water deeply into the nose to cleanse these areas completely.

Running Wet Fingers Through a Thick Beard

If one has a thick beard, it is Sunnah to insert wet fingers into the beard to ensure that water reaches all its parts. Similarly, one should thoroughly wash between the fingers and toes.

Starting with the Right Side

When washing the hands and feet, it is recommended to start with the right side before the left, following the guidance of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Washing the Face, Hands, and Feet Three Times

Instead of washing each part once, it is Sunnah to wash the face, hands, and feet three times during ablution, as this was the practice of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

In addition to the pillars of Wudu, observing these Sunnah acts, enhances the perfection and reward of their ablution, ensuring both its legal validity and spiritual benefit.

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8 Conditions Of Ablution

After we talk about the pillars of Wudu, and Sunnah now let’s talk about the 8 conditions of ablution:

• Being a Muslim: Ablution is valid only when performed by a Muslim.
• Being Mentally Sound: The individual must be of sound mind. Ablution performed by an insane person is invalid.
• Having Discretion: The person must have the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. A young child who lacks this discretion cannot perform a valid ablution.
• The intention of Performing Ablution: The intention to perform ablution must be present. 
• Ablution done without this intention, such as for refreshment on a hot day or merely for cleanliness, is invalid.
• Using Pure Water: The water used must be pure and free from impurities. Impure water is unsuitable for ablution.
• Using Legally-Obtained Water: Ablution performed with unlawfully acquired water, or water taken by force, is invalid.
• Preceding Ablution with Istinja or Istijmar: Ablution should be preceded by cleaning oneself after using the restroom, using water (istinja), toilet paper (istijmar), or both.
• Removing Barriers to Water Reaching the Skin: Any substance that might prevent water from reaching the skin, such as mud, dough, wax, or thick paint, must be removed. 
• This ensures that water can properly cleanse the skin during ablution.

Understanding and adhering to these conditions, along with the pillars of Wudu performing the obligatory acts, and observing the Sunnah practices, ensures the legal validity and spiritual completeness of one’s ablution.

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Conclusion To Pillars Of Wudu

Every Muslim must understand the pillars of Wudu, conditions, obligatory acts, and Sunnah practices associated with ablution to ensure its validity. 

While the obligatory acts and conditions must be strictly observed, the Sunnah practices are recommended for enhancing the spiritual reward of ablution.

You can also reach out to the qualified professionals at Ulum Al-Azhar for assistance in learning the pillars of Wudu and interpreting its outcomes.

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Faqs On Pillars Of Wudu

How Many Pillars Of Wudu Are There?

Wudu, or ablution, has six essential pillars that are crucial for its validity. These pillars are fundamental requirements; if any are missing, the wudu is rendered invalid.

Does Sleeping Break Wudu?

Yes, wudu is broken when a person loses consciousness, such as during deep sleep or fainting. 

Whether the sleep is brief or prolonged, if it is deep enough to cause a complete loss of awareness, wudu must be renewed upon waking.

Does Sneezing Break Wudu?

Sneezing does not invalidate wudu or break salaah, so it does not require the renewal of ablution or interrupting the prayer.