Wudu

Wudu act of washing face, hands and feet. It is an arabic word. According to Islami Shariat (Islamic Law), washing the face, hands and feet in prescribed manner before saying prayers, reciting the Holy quran etc, is called Wudu. In the performance of Wudu four acts are Faraz (compulsory): washing of the face, washing of both the hands including the elbows, washing of both feet up to the ankles, and to M'a'sah (pass the wet hand over) at least one fourth of the head. While sitting for performing the Wudu, continuous rinsing of mouth and nostril by water is also included in Wudu. It is Sunnat. Description of water suitable for Wudu has been given in the Fikh Shastra (jurisprudence). If due to the lack of suitable water for Wudu or illness or any physical disability that makes it difficult to perform the Wudu in proper way one may make himself clean for prayer by doing Masah. Masah is an alternative procedure to Wudu, where one makes himself clean for prayer or any other religious activities by having the Niyyat and passing the hands over the face and both forearms up to the elbow after touching clean sand or mud. Usually in the mosque or in the place of Salat (prayer) there are good arrangements for Wudu. According to the Sunni Mazhab, Masha of both the feet (when they are covered by thick socks) instead of washing is approved by Shariat. Mukim or permanent resident has the permission to Masah the feet instead of washing for 24 hours and for the same the Mus'a'fir (one who stays away from his residence) has the permission for 72 hours. [ARM Ali Haidar] [Haider, ARM Ali Professor of Islamic Studies, Dhaka University]