This
section deals with those acts connected with the ablution,
but which are not obligatory, as the Prophet, upon whom
be peace, did not rigorously stick to them or censure anyone
for not doing them. They are as follows:
Mentioning
the name of Allah at the beginning:
There are some weak hadith that mention this act, and all
of the chains of these hadith point to the fact that there
is some basis for this act. In any case, it is a good act
in and of itself and, in general, it is part of the Islamic
law.
Dental
Hygiene:
This involves using a stick or similar object to clean one's
teeth. The best type to use is that of the arak tree found
in the Hejaz. Such a practice strengthens the gums, prevents
tooth disease, helps digestion and facilitates the flow
of urine. This sunnah is fulfilled by using any object which
removes yellow stains on the teeth and cleans the mouth,
such as a toothbrush, and so on. Abu Hurairah reported that
the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said, "Were it not to be
a hardship on my community, I would have ordered them to
use a toothbrush for every ablution." (Related by Malik,
ash-Shaf'i, al-Baihaqi and al-Hakim.) 'Aishah reported that
the Prophet said, "The toothbrush purifies the mouth and
is pleasing to the Lord." (Related by Ahmad, an-Nasa'i and
at-Tirmidhi.)
Using
a toothbrush is liked at any time, but there are five times
in which it is especially liked:
1. ablution,
2. prayer,
3. reading the Qur'an,
4. rising from sleep, and
5. when the taste in one's mouth has changed. Fasting and
non-fasting people may use it at the beginning, the end,
or at any other time during the day. 'Amr ibn Rabi'ah said,
"I have seen the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace,
on countless occasions using a toothbrush while fasting."
(Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and at-Tirmidhi.)
When
one uses a toothbrush, it is sunnah to clean it afterwards.
Said 'Aishah, "When the Prophet, upon whom be peace, used
his toothbrush, he would give it to me. I would wash it,
use it, wash it again and give it back to him." (Related
by Abu Dawud and alBaihaqi.)
It
is part of the sunnah that one who has no teeth may use
his fingers to clean his mouth. Asked 'Aishah, "O Messenger
of Allah, how should a toothless person cleanse his mouth?"
"By putting his fingers into his mouth," he replied. (Related
by at-Tabarani.)
Washing
the hands three times at the beginning:
This is based on the hadith of Aus ibn Aus al-Thaqafi who
said, "I saw the Messenager of Allah make ablution, and
he washed his hands three times." (Related by Ahmad and
an-Nasa'i.) Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, upon
whom be peace, said, "When one of you rises from his sleep,
he should not put his hand into a pot until he has washed
it three times, for he does not know where his hand was
(while he slept)." (Related by "the group", al-Bukhari did
not mention the number of times.)
Rinsing
the mouth three times:
Laqit ibn Sabrah reported that the Prophet said, "When one
performs ablution, he should rinse his mouth." (Related
by Abu Dawud and al-Baihaqi.)
Sniffing
up and blowing out water three times:
Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace,
said, "When one of you performs ablution, he should sniff
water up his nostrils and then blow it out." (Related by
al-Bukhari, Muslim and Abu Dawud.)
The
sunnah is to put the water into the nostrils with the right
hand and blow it out with the left. 'Ali once called for
water for ablution, rinsed his mouth, sniffed up water into
his nostrils and blew it out with his left hand. He did
that three times and then said, "That is how the Prpohet,
upon whom be peace, would purify himself." (Related by Ahmad
and an-Nasa'i.)
This
sunnah is fulfilled by putting water into the mouth and
nostrils in any way. The practice of the Prophet was to
do both acts at the same time. 'Abdullah ibn Zaid said,
"The Prophet would rinse his mouth and nose with just one
hand (at one time, together). He did that three times."
In one narration it says, "He would rinse his mouth and
nose with three scoops of water." (Related by al-Bukhari
and Muslim.) It is also sunnah to be plentiful (with water)
while performing this sunnah, except if one is fasting.
Laqit asked the Prophet, "Inform me about your ablution."
He replied, "Complete and perfect the ablution and (put
water) between your fingers. Use lots of water while sniffing
it up your nostrils, unless you are fasting." (Related by
"the five." At-Tirmidhi said it is sahih.)
Running
one's fingers through his beard:
'Aishah reported that the Messenger of Allah would run his
fingers through his beard. (Related by Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi,
who classified it as sahih . )
Anas
said that when the Messenger of Allah performed ablution,
he would take a handful of water and put it under his jaws
and pass it through his beard. He said, "This is what my
Lord, Allah, ordered me to do." (Related by Abu Dawud, al-Baihaqi
and al-Hakim.)
Running
water through one's fingers and toes:
Ibn 'Abbas said that when the Messenger of Allah performed
ablution, he would run his fingers through his fingers and
toes. (Related by "the five," except Ahmad.) It is also
related that it is preferable to remove jewelry, for example,
rings, bracelets, and so on, while performing ablution.
Even though these reports are not accepted as fully authentic,
one must follow them, for they fall under the general category
of completing and perfecting the ablution.
Repeating
each washing three times:
This is a sunnah that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, almost
always followed. If he acted otherwise, it was just to show
that the other acts are permissible. 'Amr ibn Shu'aib related
on the authority of his father from his grandfather who
said: "A bedouin came to the Messenger of Allah, upon whom
be peace, and asked him about the ablution. He showed him
how to wash each part three times and said, 'This is the
ablution. Whoever does more than that has done wrong, transgressed
and committed evil." (Related by Ahmad, an-Nasa'i and Ibn
Majah.) 'Uthman also reported that the Messenger of Allah
would repeat each washing three times. (Related by Ahmad,
Muslim and at-Tirmidhi.) It is also proven that he performed
each washing only once or twice. According to most of the
reports, he wiped his head only once.
Beginning
each action with the right side:
Said 'Aishah, "The Messenger of Allah loved to begin with
his right side while putting on his shoes, straightening
his hair and cleaning (or purifying) himself." (Related
by al-Bukhari and Musilm.) Abu Hurairah reported that the
Prophet said, "When you clothe or wash yourself, begin with
your right side." (Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmidhi,
and an-Nasa'i.)
Rubbing
the limbs with water:
This means to rub the hands over the bodily parts with water.
'Abdullah ibn Zaid reported that the Messenger of Allah
was brought a pot of water which he used to perform ablution,
and then rubbed his arms. (Related by Ibn Khuzaimah.) He
also related that the Messenger of Allah performed ablution,
then rubbed his limbs. (Related by Abu Dawud at-Tayalisi,
Ahmad, Ibn Hibban and Abu Ya'la.)
Close
sequence:
Each bodily part must be washed right after the other in
the prescribed sequence (without separating the washing
of the different parts of acts not related to the abution).
This is the customary practice of the early and later generations
of Muslims.
Wiping
the ears:
The sunnah is to wipe the interior of the ears with the
index fingers and the exterior portions with the thumbs.
The water used to wipe the head is also used for the ears,
as the ears are part of the head. Al-Miqdam ibn Ma'd Yakrih
reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, wiped his
head and his ears, the interior and exterior, while making
ablution. He also put his finger inside his ear. (Related
by Abu Dawud and at-Tahawi.) While describing the ablution
of the Prophet, upon whom be peace, Ibn 'Umar said, "He
wiped his head and ears with one wipe." (Related by Ahmad
and Abu Dawud.) In one narration it states, "He wiped the
inner portion of his ears with his index finger, and the
outer portion with his thumb."
Elongating
the streaks of light:
This refers to washing the complete forehead, a practice
which is more than what is obligatory in washing the face,
and will increase the streak of light (on the Day of Judgement).
It also refers to washing above the elbows and ankles. Abu
Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, "My
nation will come with bright streaks of light from the traces
of ablution." Abu Hurairah then said, "If one can lengthen
his streak of light, he should do so." (Related by Ahmad,
al-Bukhari and Muslim.) Abu Zar'ah related that when Abu
Hurairah made ablution, he washed his arms above his elbows
and his feet up to his calves. He was asked, "Why do you
do this?" He said, "This is the extent of the embellishment."
(Related by Ahmad. ) According to al-Bukhari and Muslim,
its chain is sahih.
Economizing
the use of water, even if one is in front of the sea:
Anas said, "The Prophet, upon whom be peace, used to perform
ghusl (the complete bathing) with a sa'a of water (1.616
cm) 3 to 5 madd (each 4 madd equals one sa'a). He also used
to make ablution with one madd (404 cm) of water." (Related
by al-Bukhari and Musim.) 'Ubaidullah ibn Abu Yazid narrated
that a man asked Ibn 'Abbas, "How much water is sufficient
for ghusl?" He answered, "One madd." "And how much is sufficient
for ghusl?" He said, "One sa'a." The man said, "That is
not sufficient for me." "Ibn 'Abbas said, "No? It was sufficient
for one better than you, the Messenger of Allah, upon whom
be peace." (Related by Ahmad, al-Bazaar and at-Tabarani
in al-Kabeer. Its narrators are trustworthy.) 'Abdullah
ibn 'Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah passed by
Sa'd while he was performing ablution and said, "What is
this extravagance, Sa'd?" He said, "Is there extravagance
in the use of water?" He said, "Yes, even if you are at
a flowing river." (Related by Ahmad and Ibn Majah with a
weak chain.)
Extravagance
is to use water without any benefit, like washing the parts
more than three times. Ibn Shu'aib's hadith, quoted earlier,
illustrates the point in question. 'Abdullah ibn Mughaffal
narrated that he heard the Prophet say, "There will be people
from my nation who will transgress in making supplications
and in purifying themselves." (Related by Ahmad, Abu Dawud
and an-Nasa'i.)
Says
al-Bukhari, "The scholars do not like one to use water beyond
what the Prophet, upon whom be peace, used for ablution.
Supplication
while performing ablution:
There is nothing confirmed from the Prophet, upon whom be
peace, regarding supplications during ablution save the
hadith of Abu Musa al-Ash'ari who said, "I came to the Messenger
of Allah with water. While he was performing ablution, I
heard him supplicate, 'O Allah, forgive my sins. Make my
residence spacious for me and bless me in my provisions.'
I said, 'O Prophet of Allah, I heard you supplicating such
and such.' He said, 'Did I leave anything out?" (Related
by an-Nasa'i and Ibn as-Sunni with a sahih chain.) An-Nawawi
includes this event under the chapter, What is to be said
after one completes the ablution, and Ibn as-Sunni has it
under, What is to be said when one is in the state of ablution.
An-Nawawi holds that both meanings may be implied from the
hadith.
Supplication
after ablution:
'Umar reported that the Prophet, upon whom be peace, said,
"If one completes (and perfects) the ablution and then says,
'I testify that there is no god except Allah, the One Who
has no partner, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger,"
the eight gates of paradise will be opened for him and he
may enter any of them that he wishes." (Related by Muslim.)
Abu
Sa'eed al-Khudri reported that the Prophet said, "Whoever
makes ablution and says, 'Glory be to Thee, O Allah, and
the praise be to Thee. I bear witness that there is no god
except You. I beg Your forgiveness and I repent unto you,'
will have it written for him, and placed on a tablet which
will not be broken until the Day of Resurrection. This hadith
is related by at-Tabarani in al-Ausat. Its narrators are
of the sahih. An-Nasa'i has it with the wording. "It will
be stamped with a seal, placed below the throne, and it
will not be broken until the Day of Resurrection." The correct
statement is that it is mauqoof. As for the supplication,
"Allah, cause me to be from among the repentant, and cause
me to be from among the pure," it has been narrated by at-Tirmidhi
who said, "Its chain is mudhtarib and there is nothing authentic
concerning this (supplication)."
Praying
two rak'ah after ablution:
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah, upon
whom be peace, said to Bilal, "O Bilal, tell me what good
deed you have done in Islam that I hear the sound of your
footsteps in Paradise?" Bilal said, "That after I purify
myself during the day or night, I pray with that purification
as much as Allah has destined for me." (Related by al-Bukhari
and Muslim.) 'Uqbah ibn 'Aamr related that the Messenger
of Allah, upon whom be peace, said, "If one performs and
perfects his ablution and prays two rak'ah with his heart
and face (completely on his prayer), Paradise becomes his."
(Related by Muslim, Abu Dawud, Ibn Majah and Ibn Khuzaimah
in his Sahih.) Khumran, the client of 'Uthman, added, "I
saw 'Uthman call for water for ablution, pour it from the
pot onto his right hand and wash it three times. He then
put his right hand into the container, rinsed his mouth
and nose and blew the water out. Then he washed his face
three times, followed by his arms up to the elbows. Then
he washed his feet three times and said 'I saw the Messenger
of Allah, upon whom be peace, make ablution like this.'
And then he would say, 'Whoever makes ablution like this
and then prays two rak'ah without having any other concern
on his mind, all his past sins will be forgiven." (Related
by al-Bukhari, Muslim and others.)
Other
practices (protecting the eyes and wrinkles, removing any
rings, wiping the neck, and so on) have not been mentioned
here as their narrations are still questionable. But, one
may follow them as part of general cleanliness.
