Making and Maintaining Wudu even for a Moment is Rewarding

Making and Maintaining Wudu even for a Moment is Rewarding

Wudu, or ablution, is a ritual cleansing that Muslims perform before prayer. It involves washing specific body parts in a particular order with clean water. Wudu is an essential part of Islamic worship, and it serves to purify the body and prepare the mind for prayer. Do you know that Making and Maintaining Wudu, even for a Moment, Is Rewarding?

While wudu is a mandatory practice before prayer, it is also a rewarding act in and of itself. Even for a moment, making and maintaining wudu is a beneficial and spiritually uplifting act that can bring numerous benefits to the believer.

Firstly, making wudu can bring a sense of peace and tranquility to the believer. The act of washing each limb and part of the body, with the intention of purification, can clear the mind of distracting thoughts and bring a sense of calmness. This can be especially beneficial in times of stress or anxiety, allowing believers to connect with their faith and find solace in prayer.

Secondly, wudu is also a physical act of purification that can benefit one’s health and hygiene. Washing the hands, face, arms, and feet can help to remove dirt, bacteria, and other impurities, reducing the risk of infections and illnesses. This is particularly relevant in areas where clean water or sanitation is scarce, as wudu can serve as a simple and effective means of personal hygiene.

Moreover, performing wudu can also serve as a reminder of Islam’s importance of cleanliness and purity. It is a physical manifestation of the Islamic teachings of hygiene and cleanliness. It is a constant reminder to the believer to maintain cleanliness and purity daily.

Finally, maintaining wudu, even for a moment, is a rewarding activity in the eyes of Allah. Abu Hurairah narrated that: Allah’s Messenger said:

“When a Muslim, or believer, performs Wudu’, washing his face, every evil that he looked at with his eyes leaves with the water – or with the last drop of water, or an expression similar to that – and when he washes his hands, every evil he did with his hands leaves with the water – or with the last drop of water – until he becomes free of sin.” [1]

Rewards of Making Wudu

Making wudu, or ablution, is a vital worship act with numerous benefits. Here are some of the rewards of making wudu:

Forgiveness of sins

According to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), their minor sins are forgiven when a Muslim performs wudu. It was narrated from ‘Abdullah As-Sunabihi that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said:

“When the believing slave performs Wudu’ and rinses his mouth, his sins come out from his mouth. When he sniffs water into his nose and blows it out, his sins come from his nose. When he washes his face, his sins come out from his face, even from beneath his eyelashes. When he washes his hands, his sins come out from his hands, even from beneath his fingernails. When he wipes his head, his sins come out from his head, even from his ears. When washes his feet, his sins come from his feet, even from beneath his toenails. Then his walking to the Masjid and his Salah will earn extra merit for him.” [2]

In another hadith, it is mentioned that:

“After performing the ablution ‘, Uthman said, “I am going to tell you a Hadith which I would not have told you, had I not been compelled by a certain Holy Verse (the sub-narrator ‘Urwa said: This verse is: “Verily, those who conceal the clear signs and the guidance which we have sent down…)” (2:159). I heard the Prophet () saying, ‘If a man performs ablution perfectly and then offers the compulsory congregational prayer, Allah will forgive his sins committed between that (prayer) and the (next) prayer till he offers it.” [3]

Spiritual purity

Wudu purifies the body and prepares the mind for prayer. It is a physical manifestation of the Islamic teachings of hygiene and cleanliness and a constant reminder to the believer to maintain purity in their daily lives. Jabir bin’ Abdullah, may Allah be pleased with them, narrated that: Allah’s Messenger said:

“The key to Paradise is Salat, and the key to Salat is Wudu.” [4]

Increased blessings

The performance of wudu improves the benefits and rewards of prayer. It is considered a way of beautifying oneself before Allah, and Allah loves those who purify themselves. Allah says in the Quran,

وَيَسْـَٔلُونَكَ عَنِ ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ قُلْ هُوَ أَذًۭى فَٱعْتَزِلُوا۟ ٱلنِّسَآءَ فِى ٱلْمَحِيضِ ۖ وَلَا تَقْرَبُوهُنَّ حَتَّىٰ يَطْهُرْنَ ۖ فَإِذَا تَطَهَّرْنَ فَأْتُوهُنَّ مِنْ حَيْثُ أَمَرَكُمُ ٱللَّهُ ۚ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ يُحِبُّ ٱلتَّوَّٰبِينَ وَيُحِبُّ ٱلْمُتَطَهِّرِينَ

“Truly, Allah loves those who turn to Him constantly and He loves those who keep themselves pure and clean.” [5](Quran 2:222)

Protection from harm

Wudu also serves as a means of protection from harm. ‘Uqba b. ‘Amir reported:

“We were entrusted with the task of tending the camels. On my turn when I came back in the evening after grazing them in the pastures, I found Allah’s Messenger (ﷺ) standing and addressing the people. I heard these words of his: If any Muslim performs ablution well, then stands and prays two rak’ahs setting about them with his heart as well as his face, Paradise would be guaranteed to him. I said: What a fine thing is this! And a narrator who was before me said: The first was better than even this. When I cast a glance, I saw that it was ‘Umar who said: I see that you have just come and observed: If anyone amongst you performs the ablution, and then completes the ablution well and then says: I testify that there is no god but Allah and that Muhammad is the servant of Allah and His Messenger, the eight gates of Paradise would be opened for him and he may enter by whichever of them he wishes.” [6]

Increased mindfulness and focus

Making wudu requires focus and mindfulness, which can help to increase one’s mindfulness and focus during prayer. By preparing the mind and body for worship, wudu helps to establish a stronger connection with Allah and enhances the spiritual experience of prayer. Narrated Nu’am Al-Mujmir:

Once, I went up the mosque’s roof along with Abu Huraira. He performed ablution and said, “I heard the Prophet () saying, “On the Day of Resurrection, my followers will be called “Al-Ghurr-ul- Muhajjalun” from the trace of ablution and whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so (i.e., by performing ablution regularly).'” [7]

Conclusion

In conclusion, making and maintaining wudu, even for a moment, is a rewarding act in Islam. It brings peace and tranquility to the believer, promotes personal hygiene and cleanliness, serves as a reminder of Islamic teachings, and brings reward from Allah. As such, it is a practice that should be embraced and cherished by all Muslims, not just as a necessary prerequisite for prayer but as a beneficial act in and of itself that serves as a means of forgiveness, spiritual purity, increased blessings, protection from harm, and increased mindfulness and focus. Let’s start today to strive to maintain wudu to collect as many rewards as possible.

Making and Maintaining Wudu, even for a Moment, Is Rewarding is part of an amazing series of content. For more, you are very much encouraged to follow our whole series Time to Revive where we discuss the forgotten sunnah or Prophet Muhammad Peace be Upon Him and try to revive them by considering most of the perspectives of the modern world. Reading them and making them a habit is now your choice. 

By Jowairia Shahid

Reference

  1. Jami` at-Tirmidhi 2: Book 1, Hadith 2
  2. Sunan an-Nasa’i 103: Book 1, Hadith 103
  3. Sahih al-Bukhari 160: Book 4, Hadith 26
  4. Jami` at-Tirmidhi 4: Book 1, Hadith 4
  5. Al-Quran (Al-Baqarah, 2:222)
  6. Sahih Muslim 234a: Book 2, Hadith 20
  7. Sahih al-Bukhari 136: Book 4, Hadith 2

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