Prior to entering Salaat (prayer), the person is required to undertake a certain purification procedure known as "Wudhu" without which, the person's prayer would not be acceptable in the sight of "Allah (subhanahu wa ta'ala). This performance is called  wudhu and is preferably carried out as follows:

 
 Abu Hurairah (radhiAllaahu'anhu) said: Rasoolullah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) said: The Prayer of anyone of you breaching purification is not accepted unless he makes wudoo. [Al-Bukhaaree, (Fath ul-Baaree, 1/206), Muslim (no.225) and others].

 Ibn 'Umar (radhiAllaahu 'anhumaa) said: Indeed I heard Rasoolullah (sallallaahu 'alaihi wa sallam) say: Allaah does not accept Prayer without purification, nor Sadaqah from illegally attained wealth. [Muslim (1/160) and others].

 The Definition of Wudhu

Wudhu in the Arabic Language: Wudoo is the action, and wudhu the water used therefor - and it is also a verbal noun; or they are two forms of the same word, both meaning the verbal-noun and maybe both referring also to the water used.

 Wudoo in the Sharee'ah: Wudoo is using clean and cleansing (Tuhoor) water upon certain body parts as Allaah ta'ala has prescribed and explained.

In circumstances were water cannot be found, or there is only just enough for drinking, or if water is injurious to health, in such circumstances one can perform  Tayammum (dry ablution ).

Allah says:

O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salât (the prayer), wash your faces and your hands (forearms) up to the elbows, rub (by passing wet hands over) your heads, and (wash) your feet up to ankles . If you are in a state of Janâba (i.e. had a sexual discharge), purify yourself (bathe your whole body). But if you are ill or on a journey or any of you comes from answering the call of nature, or you have been in contact with women (i.e. sexual intercourse) and you find no water, then perform Tayammum with clean earth and rub therewith your faces and hands. Allâh does not want to place you in difficulty, but He wants to purify you, and to complete His Favour on you that you may be thankful. (Quran 5:6)

Instances when At-Tayammum is Permitted

            At-Tayammum is permitted only on specific instances as follows:

1. Where the person cannot find water or the amount of water is not sufficient for Wudhu. However, before performing AT-Tayammum, the person is required to look for water earnestly from any possible source.
2. When a person is injured or ill and believes that the use of water will worsen his/her condition, then, At-Tayammum is allowed.
3. When water is too cold such that it may harm the person, AT-Tayammum is allowed if the user cannot find means of heating the water.
4. When water is nearby, but the person is not able to fetch it due to fear for his/her life, family and wealth, (e.g. from an enemy either beast or human in the vicinity) then, At-Tayammum may be performed.
5. When there is not enough water and one is forced to save what is available for drinking and/or cooking, then, At-Tayammum is allowed.

The Earth (Soil) to be used for At-Tayammaum

            This should be pure earth or soil and can be sand, stone or gypsum which produce dust when hit with the hands.

How to Perform At-Tayammum

1. Make intension  in    heart to perform At-Tayammum.
2. Say Bismillah  (In the Name of Allah).
3.  Strike both palms of hands on clean sand, dust or anything containing these (e.g. wall or stone)  .
4. Blow into the palms
5. Wipe the face using both palms.(once)
6. Thereafter using  the left palm to wipe over the back of the right hand up to the wrist, and then, uses the right palm to wipe over the back of the left hand up to the wrist.
7. Finish with the Dua as given above for Wudhu.

Matters which Invalidate the Wudhu

            The person will remain in a state of Wudhu until any of the following matters is committed:

(1)   Anything coming out of the Anus or penis/vagina such as urine, feaces or gas etc. 

(2) A person falling sound Sleep  

(3) Becoming Unconscious - insanity or fainting or intoxication

(4) Touching the Uncovered Private Parts 

(5)  Touching a Woman  which  leads to prostatic fluid or semen being emitted. A man can  touch, kiss and hug his wife and his wudhu will still be valid. It will only break if these actions lead to  the emmision of prostatic fluid or semen. 

GHUSL (Bathing)

Ghusl, which is washing the entire body with water, then the basic rule with regard to it is Allaah’s saying:

“And if you are in a state of sexual impurity (Janaabah), then purify yourselves (i.e. wash your entire bodies).” [Surah Al-Maa’idah: 6] 

And Allaah’s saying: “O you who believe. Do not come near the prayer while you are in a drunken state, until you know what you are uttering (i.e. when you are not drunk), nor when you are in a state of sexual impurity (janaabah) – unless you are traveling on the road – until you make Ghusl (i.e. wash your entire body).” [Surah An-Nisaa: 43]

Occasions when Ghusl is Required as an obligatory Act

            Ghusl is required as an obligatory act in the following cases:

1. After the discharge of semen as a result of stimulation whether awake or asleep (i.e. in a wet dream). This state is known in Arabic as "JUNUB". If, after the dream no wetness is traced in one's clothing, bathing is not obligatory. However, in case wetness is found but without recalling any dream, performing Ghusl is obligatory. This is based on the hadeeth of Umm Salamah, who reported that Umm Sulaim, the wife of Abu Talha, asked Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam), saying: “Allaah is not shy when it comes to the truth. So is it obligatory for a woman to perform ghusl if she has a wet dream (i.e. seminal fluid comes out)?” The Prophet (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) responded: “Yes, if she sees the fluid.” This hadeeth is reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim.  
2. After sexual intercourse   performing Ghusl is required. It is to be done after sexual intercourse, regardless of whether one ejaculated or not. A male is obligated to perform ghusl if just the head of his private organ enters (the female private organ), even if it is for one second. This is based on the hadeeth of Abu Hurairah (radyAllaahu ‘anhu) who said: Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said: “When a man sits in between the four parts of a woman and enters into her (for intercourse), the ghusl becomes obligatory.” Reported by Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim. In Muslim’s report, there is the addition: “…even if he doesn’t ejaculate.” The women falls under the same ruling as the man in this regard.
3.  Following a period of menstruation, a woman is required to perform Ghusl.
4. At the end of 40 days after childbirth, a woman is required to perform Ghusl but if the bleeding stops before completing the 40 days period, then she must make the Ghusl as soon as the bleeding stops.
5. When a Muslim dies, Ghusl is required for him/her except for the Jihad Martyr (Shaheed).

Occasions for which Ghusl is preferred

            Ghusl is recommended in the following cases:

1. Before going to Jummah Congregational (Friday Prayer).
2. Before going to Eid Prayers (Muslim annual feast prayers).
3. Before undertaking Umrah or Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah).
4. Upon washing a corpse. (According to many scholars, the performance of Ghusl is preferred for a person who washes a corpse).
5. When a disbeliever revert to Islam.

 

How to Perform Ghusl

The Complete Ghusl: which is what has been reported in the hadeeth of ‘Aa’ishah (radyAllaahu ‘anhaa) in Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim, in which she said: “When Allaah’s Messenger (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) would perform ghusl due to Janaabah (sexual impurity), he would begin by washing his hands. Then he would pour water from his right hand to his left and wash his private parts with it (i.e. the left hand). Then he would perform wudoo (ablution). Then he would take water and place his (wet) fingers on the roots off his hair. Then he would pour three handfuls of water over his head. Then he would pour water all over the rest of his body. Then he would wash his feet.” This wording is from Muslim. The hadeeth is in Al-Bukhaaree and Muslim from the narration of Maymoonah, (radyAllaahu ‘anhaa).

A woman is not obligated to undo her hair (if it is bundled or braided) when performing ghusl, due to the hadeeth of Umm Salamah (radyAllaahu ‘anhaa) in Saheeh Muslim in which she said: “O Messenger of Allaah, I am a woman with much braids in my head. Should I undo them when performing ghusl, due to sexual impurity (Janaabah) and menses?” He (sallAllaahu 'alayhi wa sallam) responded: “No. It is sufficient for you to just pour three handfuls of water on your head.”

 

1	Intention inside ones heart not verbal.
2	Say Bismillah
3	Wash the right hand up to and including the wrists.  Make sure to  while rub and  rub  between the  fingers of the hand. And thus make sure no part of the hand is left dry.  Three  times   Then do the same with the left hand. (also three times)
4	Wash off the impurities (off the private parts)
5	Wash the right hand up to and including the wrists.  Make sure to  while rub and  rub  between the  fingers of the hand. And thus make sure no part of the hand is left dry.  Three  times   Then do the same with the left hand. (also three times)
6	Make a cup with the right hand then from this hand take water into your mouth and swirl it inside the mouth and then expel out of mouth. then sniff remaining water from the cupped right hand and sniff water into the nose and then blow the water out and using the  left hand  remove the water from your nose. Do this three times   Some people rinse the mouth first three times and then rinse the nose three times However the first method is the most authentic.
7	Wash the face three times, from the hairline to the jawbone and chin, and from start of the ear to start of the ear   A man should wash the hair of his beard  by taking a handful of water and entering it below his chin and rubbing it through his beard and passing the wet fingers through the beard.
8	Wash the right arm  up to  and including  the elbow.  Three times.  The arm extends from the fingertips, including the nails, to the lower part of the upper arm. It is essential to remove anything stuck to the hands before washing them, such as dough, mud, paint, nail polish etc, that could prevent the water from reaching the skin.  Do the same with the LEFT ARM . Three times
9	Pour water over the head Three times down to the roots of the hairs. rubbing the roots of the hair with the wet fingers
10	Pour water liberally over the entire body, beginning with the right side and then the left side and rubbing the body with hands. Ensuring that no part of the body is untouched by water
11	Move away from area were you did ghusl  and Wash the  right feet up to  and including the ankles, three times,   You should enter the water between the toes with your little finger and then wash the feet (note not wipe feet but wash them) and make sure  and make sure you wash the sole of the foot and the heals. Make sure no parts of the foot is left dry  Wash the left foot same as the right foot.  Three times
12	Then  say the following Duas for Wudhu when outside the bathroom (if bathroom has a toilet inside it)   Ashhadu an laa ilaaha ill-Allaah wahdahu laa shareeka lah, wa ashhadu anna Muhammadan ‘abduhu wa rasooluhu.  ( I bear witness that there is no god except Allaah alone, with no partner or associate, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.)   Allaahumm aj’alni min al-tawwaabeena waj’alni min al-mutatahhireena   (  O Allaah, make me one of those who repent and make me one of those who purify themselves)