Essentials (Arkän) and Validity Prerequisites

There are four essential pillars that must be performed for Wuz̄ü to be valid; if any are missed, the act is invalid:

  1. Washing the face once:
    • Washing is defined as pouring (pure and purifying) water such that at least two drops fall from the limb; otherwise, it is merely “wiping”.
    • This area is bounded from
      • the top of the forehead to the bottom of the chin,
      • and from earlobe to earlobe.
  2. Washing both arms including elbows once:
    • One must wash up to and including the protruding bones of the elbow.
  3. Wiping a quarter of the head once:
    • This is done by passing a wet hand over at least one-quarter of the head (approximately the size of a hand)
    • using new, unused water.
  4. Washing both feet including ankles once:
    • This includes the protruding bones on the sides of the feet;
    • one must be careful not to miss the heels.

Wudu (Ablution)

Additional resources

  • Book(s):
  • Video(s):fiqh