Lesson 17

TYPES OF WATER & IMPURITIES

Water can be divided into 2 categories:

1. CLEAN Water which is permissible for Wudhuo; 2. UNCLEAN water, which is not permissible for Wudhu.

CLEAN WATER:

 Mutlaq Water -Natural water such as Rain water, Sea water and altered water because of its being in a place for a long time, like a pond or lake and is mixed with algae, tree leaves etc., which cannot be removed from it.

Water even though mixed with clean elements such as soap, flour or salt etc. to some extent, can still be called water.

A large quantity of water, which is equal to or more than 2 Qullas. This water, even if it is mixed with impure substances, but does not change its taste, color or odor, is considered clean water.

Note: 1 Qulla is equivalent to about 95.62 liters.

UNCLEAN WATER:

 If any impurities are mixed with a small quantity of water, -which is less than 2 Qullas, then this water is considered unclean, regardless of whether or not there is a relative change in taste, color or odor of the water.

 If any of the impurities are combined with a large quantity of water -2 Qullas or more, but the taste, color or odor of water is already changed or altered.

IMPURITIES

a. Human excrement b. His urine c. Shed blood -Blood shed under any circumstances. d. Dog’s saliva e. The urine and stool of animals that are not permissible to eat. f. Swine g. Dead animals except: 

Dead animals of the sea and locusts  Dead animals that have no running blood e. g. a flyHair, fur, feathers, bones, horns and hoofs of dead animals that are permissible to eat when they were alive.Lesson 18HOW TO PERFORM WUDHU & WIPING OVER THE SOCKS

The essential and voluntary acts are integrated here to demonstrate how the Prophet (Peace be upon him) used to perform wudhu (ritual purification).

1. Making the intention (Niyyah) to perform wudhu as an act of sincere homage and worship for the pleasure of Allah (SWT). The intention is not to be uttered but it should be kept in mind during the wudhu.

2. Invoking Allah (SWT) at the start of the wudhu by saying “Bismillah” (In the Name of Allah).

3. Washing the hands up to the wrists three times, while rubbing them and allowing the water to reach between the fingers.

4. Rinsing the mouth with water thrice, preferably using “Miswak” -(tooth stick), tooth brush or fingers to brush the teeth and the gums. Regarding the importance of miswak, the Prophet (Peace be upon him)said, ” If it had not been a great burden on my Ummah, I would have ordered them to use the miswak at every wudhu.” Narrated by Imam Malik.

5. Cleaning the nostrils by sniffing water in and out three times.

6. Washing the entire face thrice using both hands from the top of the forehead down to the bottom of the chin and from ear to ear.

7. Washing the arms three times up to the upper end of elbows, right arm first and then the left. Arms should be rubbed while being washed.

8. Moistening both hands and passing them over the head starting from above the forehead down to the nape (the back of the head) and from there bringing the hands forward up to the forehead. Do not wet the neck. 9. From the head, without wetting the hands again wipe the earlobes, using the forefingers to wipe the inner part of the lobes and the thumbs for the outside part.

10. Washing both feet up to the ankles three times, beginning with the right foot and the left foot. Both feet should be

rubbed while they are being washed and water should freely pass between the toes.

WIPING OVER THE SOCKS

1. If someone’s wudhu gets nullified, then it is allowed to wipe over the socks with wet hands, instead of washing both feet when renewing one’s wudhu, on condition that the socks were put on after washing the feet in the first wudhu and before the same was nullified.

2. A traveler may avail himself of this privilege continuously for three consecutive days and nights (72 hours), but a resident may do so for only one day and one night continuously (24 hours). The period begins with the first wiping and not when one makes wudhu initially.

HOW WIPING OVER THE SOCKS IS DONE

Wiping is done according to the traditions of the Prophet (Peace be upon him) as follows: 

After removing the shoes, wet hands are passed only over the upper surface of the socks without the need to wipe the bottom part (sole).

WHEN THE WIPING PRIVILEGE CEASES OR IS FORFEITED

The wiping privilege becomes useless in the event that one or more of the following occurs. 1. When the maximum timing allowed as discussed above end.2. The moment the socks are removed.3. When any of the cases requiring Ghusl (a complete bath) occur.