Pre-requisite for Wudhu/Ghusl ??

[Kiwi Bro]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Assalamu 'Alaykum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu

Dear Imaam Sir,

I have a few queries regarding Wudhu and Ghusl.

Procedure for Wudhu
• Washing the hands three times up to the wrist; the right hand first and then the left and wash them in such a way that no spot is left dry;
• Rinsing and gargling the mouth three times;
• Washing the nose into three times;
• Washing the face beginning from the forehead to the bottom of the chin, three times;
• Washing the forearms including the elbows three times;
• Wiping wet hands over the head from front down to the neck, then running the thumbs around the ears and wiping the inside;
• Wiping the neck with the back of wet hands;
• Washing the feet including the ankles three times. The right foot first and then the left.

Questions relating to Wudhu
1. I know that a man’s body must be covered between the naval and knees and the shoulders for Salaat, but is this the pre-requisite for Wudhu as well?
2. If a man has a shower, then does his Wudhu straight afterwards (while still unclothed in the shower), is this acceptable? Or does he have to finish his shower, get dressed (cover from naval to knees and shoulders) and THEN perform the Wudhu?

Procedure for Ghusl
• Wash both hands up to and including wrists.
• Wash the private parts. The hands and private parts should be washed even if one is not in the state of Janabat or Najasat.
• If there is Najasat elsewhere on the body, it should now be washed off.
• Perform Wudhu. If making Ghusl on a stool or platform where water will rapidly flow away, and then perform the complete Wudhu. If there is fear of the feet being immersed in wastewater during the Ghusl then postpone the washing of the feet to the end of the Ghusl. Ensure that the mouth and nostrils are thoroughly rinsed thrice.
• After performing Wudhu, pour water over the head thrice, then pour thrice over right shoulder and thrice again over left shoulder. Now pour water over entire body and rub.

Questions relating to Ghusl
1. I’ve heard that it’s acceptable to perform Ghusl in the following manner: Perform Wudhu, then have a shower. If this is acceptable, then does the Wudhu have to done while clothed (covered) [Refer Question 1 above for Wudhu], or can a person do this while he’s showering?
2. I take it that it will be acceptable to have a shower and then perform Ghusl in the above manner outlined? (Seems appropriate since you cleaning your private parts, then Wudhu and than water over your head/shoulders).

My apologies if the questions seem silly, or going round and round in circles, but it’s been baffling me for some time. I was just told lately that Wudhu has to be performed in a state of being clothed, so I am a bit upset that my Ibadat may have been done while my Wudhu/Ghusl was not appropriate.

It’s just that I do not want to stand for Ibadat in front of Allah Subhanu Wa Ta’ala thinking that I am clean whereas in reality my Ghusl/Wudhu is wrong and has not been accepted.

Very much appreciated for your help indeed.

Jazzak Allah Khair for your assistance in this matter.

[Imam]

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Wa'alaykum 'Assalam wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuhu


All Praise be to Allah who is the Lord of the Worlds, and may Endless Blessings be showered upon His Most Beloved, and Final Messenger of Islam, Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam


It's not a problem brother. Your questions are quite viable and good. It increases the knowledge of each other, and Im sure you will have many more questions (insha'Allah).


In relation to your first question. You must be covered from your naval and above, to below your knees whilst performing wudhu'. Since you perform wudhu', where other people may perform wudhu' like in a mosque or at a stream, the above must be observed.


Since it is only you who are performing wudhu' after your ghusl, and since part of your ghusl is also your wudhu', then it is not wajib or fard that you get dressed, and then perform your wudhu', after your ghusl. It is because you are alone, and this is the rationale for the statement that wudhu' is 'more excellent', if performed, after ghusl.


To get dressed, and then perform wudhu' after the ghusl, is to be in a state of care. Whether you are in a state of care, and precaution, which is more acceptable in the eyes of the shar'iyyah, or whether you are basically done for time i.e. Late for Jummah, you will not be a sinner in any event.


With reference to the other questions, then instead of making confusion, it is best to make wudhu' part of your ghusl i.e. by doing it while your in the shower/bath. If it is done before, then there is the danger of the parts of your body becoming dry, and if they do, you will have to start afresh. Your last part washed must still be wet whilst going on to the next, for your wudhu' to be valid, if not your wudhu/ghusl will not count.


Your second question relating to ghusl is in the affirmative. You may have a shower, and then perform ghusl, but you will not be observing the correct procedure. The correct procedure is to perform the ghusl as early as possible (in the case of being junbi), and to observe the sunnah laws, which can be quite clearly found in any book of fiqh.


May Allah the Almighty guide us all, in good questioning, good answering, and acquiring good knowledge, in general (Amin).


Jazak'allah for your questions.



Wallahu A'lamu Biththawaab


M. Waseem Ashrafi