Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

As Salam alaikum Wa Rahmatallah

Can you send me the benefit of Wadu ( Wazuh ) because i think if we know the results of doing Wadu or always being in wadu it is to good for us hereafeter.

Thank You

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Significance of wudu

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah Says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 6 (part):

6 O ye who believe! When ye prepare for prayer wash your faces, and your hands (and arms) to the elbows, rub your heads (with water), and (wash) your feet to the ankles.

Abdullah ibn as-Sunnabiji stated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "When a slave makes ablution and rinses his mouth, his wrong deeds fall from it. As he rinses his nose, his wrong deeds fall from it. When he washes his face, his wrong deeds fall from it until they fall from beneath his eyelashes. When he washes his hands, his wrong deeds fall from them until they fall from beneath his fingernails. When he wipes his head, his wrong deeds fall from it until they fall from his ears. When he washes his feet, his wrong deeds fall from them until they fall from beneath his toenails. Then his walking to the mosque and his prayer give him extra reward." Related by Malik, an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah and al-Hakim.

Anas ibn Malik reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "If good characteristics exist in a person, Allah makes all of his acts good. If a person purifies himself for prayer, he expiates all of his sins and his prayer is considered an extra reward for him."

(Related by al-Bazzar and at-Tabarani.

Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said, "'Shall I inform you (of an act) by which Allah erases sins and raises degrees?" They said, "Certainly, O Messenger of Allah (saws)." He (saws) said, "Perfecting the ‘wudu’ under difficult circumstances, taking many steps to the mosque, and waiting for the (next) prayer after the (last) prayer has been performed.”

Related by Malik, Muslim, at-Tirmidhi and an-Nasa'i.

Your Question: ….or always being in wadu it is to good for us hereafeter.

In light of the guidance of the Quran and the Sunnah, being in the state of ‘wudu’ is absolutely obligatory and a pre-condition only before and during two acts of worship:

1. Performing a prayer
2. Performing the ‘tawaaf’ of the Sacred House.

Although not obligatory, it is recommended and extremely preferred that one should be in the state of ‘wudu’ when reciting the Glorious Quran.

There is a grave misconception amongst some believers that it is considered a great piety and virtue to constantly and always be in the state of ‘wudu’, regardless of whether or not one intends to offer one’s prayers or not, perform the ‘tawaaf’ or not, or recite the Glorious Quran or not!

There is absolutely no mention in the authentic and established Sunnah that the Messenger of Allah (saws) recommended or encouraged the believers to always remain or maintain the state of ‘wudu’, nor is there any evidence in the Sunnah to suggest that the Prophet (saws) or his companions strove to always remain in the state of ‘wudu’! If it was considered piety, or a virtue, or it was meritorious in the Sight of Allah Subhanah for one to constantly remain in the state of ‘wudu’, Allah is our witness brother, the Messenger of Allah (saws) would have certainly practiced it himself, and encouraged the believers to do so!

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 3751 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas

The Messenger of Allah (saws) came out from the privy and food was presented to him. They (the companions (r.a.)) asked: ‘Should we bring you water for ‘wudu’? He (saws) replied: ‘I have been commanded to perform ‘wudu’ when I get up for prayer!’

Sahih Muslim Hadith 725 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Abbas

The Messenger of Allah (saws) came out of the privy, and he was presented with some food, and the people reminded him about ‘wudu’, but he (saws) said: ‘Am I to say prayer that I should perform the ‘wudu’?’

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan