Articles/Submissions > Philosophy of Wudhu

Philosophy of Wudhu
By Azra

The Prophet of Islam has stated that “salat is a me’raj for a momin”.  Therefore we have to use our salat as a means to reach the proximity towards Allah s.w.t.  This is only possible when we have utmost attention as we address our Creator. 

Our focus towards salat begins with the action of wudhu.

Before we start our wudhu, we must have an intention. Our intention when performing wudhu is seeking nearness to Allah - Qurbatun Ilallah.

I begin my ablution in the Name of Allah. All praise is due to Allah, Who made water purifying, and not impure.

While rinsing the mouth we should say:

O Lord! Dictate to me the principles of faith on the Day I meet You, and make my tongue fluent with Your remembrance.

When we rinse our nose, we are praying to Allah to let us smell the fragrance of heaven.

While washing the nose one should say:

O Lord! Do not deprive me of the fragrance of Paradise, and make me of those who smell its fragrance and perfume.

When we wash our face, we are asking Allah to raise us on the Day of Judgment with bright faces.

While washing the face, one should say:

O Lord! Make my face bright on the Day when the faces will turn dark. Do not darken my face on the Day when the faces are bright.

On the day when (some) faces shall turn white and (some) faces shall turn black; then as to those whose faces turn black: Did you disbelieve after your believing? Taste therefore the chastisement because you disbelieved. Suratul Aal-e-Imran # 106

When we wash our right arm, we are asking Allah to give us the book of our deeds in our right hand.  For surely those who are given the book in their right hand
are those who are successful.

While pouring water over the right elbow, one should say:

O Lord! Give my book of deeds in my right hand, and a permanent stay in Paradise on my left, and make my reckoning an easy one.

When we wash our left hand, we are asking Allah NOT to give us our book in our left hand.

While pouring water over the left elbow, one should say:

O Lord! Do not give my book of deeds in my left hand, nor from behind my back, nor chain it to my neck. I seek refuge in You from the Hell-fire.

(Remember) the day when We will call every people with their Imam; then whoever is given his book in his right hand, these shall read their book; and they shall not be dealt with a with unjustly.
Suratul Bani Israil # 71

When we wipe our head, we are asking Allah to cover us with mercy from head to toe.

While performing the wiping of the head, one should say:

O Lord! Cover me with Your Mercy, Blessings and Forgiveness.

When we wipe our feet, we are asking Allah to guide us on the path of the truth.

While performing the wiping of the feet, one should say:

O Lord! Keep me firm on the Bridge (to Paradise) on the Day when the feet will slip, and help me in my efforts to do things which will please You, O' Glorious and Mighty!

Wudhu is an act towards spirituality and not just a ritual.
This spirituality will in turn make us more attentive and focused in our salat.