There is Four Faraid of Wudu:
1. Washing the face
2. Washing both arms including the elbows
3. Moistening a quarter of the head
4. Washing both feet including the ankles. (Fatawa-e-Alamgiri, pp. 3, 4, 5, vol.
1, Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 288, vol. 1)
Definition of ‘Washing’: Washing an organ means flowing of at least two drops of
water on each part of that organ. If the organ is simply moistened by rubbing a
wet hand over it, or if only one drop of water flows over a section of it then
it will not be considered washed and the Wudu or Ghusl will not be valid in that
case. (Fatawa Razawiyyah (Jadid), pp. 218, vol. 1, Bahar-e-Shariat, pp. 288,
vol. 1)
Method of Ablution (Hanafi)
It is Mustahab to sit on an elevated place facing Qiblah. To make intention for
Wudu is Sunnah. Intention means to intend by heart. Verbal intention is
preferable provided the same is present in the heart. Therefore, make intention
as, “I am performing Wudu in order to fulfill the commandment of Allah and to
attain purity.” Recite بسم اللہ as it is also a Sunnah, rather say بسم اللہ
والحمدللہ, as angels will continue writing good deeds as long as one is in the
state of Wudu. (Majma-uz-Zawaid, pp. 513, vol. 1, Hadis 1112) Wash both hands up
to the wrists three times each and afterwards do Khilal (to intermix fingers of
both hands to dampen the gaps) of the fingers (with the tap closed). Now use
Miswak three times in right & left, upper & lower teeth and after each cycle,
rinse the Miswak. Hujja-tul-Islam Imam Muhammad Ghazali says, “Whilst using a
Miswak, make intention to clean mouth for the recitation of the Holy Quran and
for the Zikr (Remembrance) of Allah.” (Ihya-ul-Ulum, pp. 182, vol. 1)
Now rinse your mouth three times with handfuls of water (closing the tap each
time) using right hand making sure that water reaches all parts of the mouth and
gargle as well if you are not in fasting. Now sniff water three times in nose up
to soft flesh using three handfuls (now half handful is sufficient) of right
hand (closing the tap each time) and if not in fasting, snuffle water up to the
inside end of the nose. Now clean the nose by left hand (keeping the tap turned
off) and insert small finger inside holes of the nose. Wash the whole face three
times such that water must flow on every part from the top of the forehead (the
point where the hair naturally begins to grow) to the bottom of the chin and
from one earlobe to the other. If one has beard and he is not in the state of
Ihram (Special state for Hajj / Umrah) then do Khilal (with the tap turned off)
of beard by inserting the fingers into the beard from the neck and bringing them
out towards the front. Now wash the right arm from the tips of the fingers up to
(and including) the elbow three times and then wash the left arm in the same
manner. To wash up to half of the upper arm is Mustahab. Most people take a
small amount of water in their hand and pour it over their arm towards the elbow
three times. But in this method, there is risk that water would not flow over
the edges of wrist and arm. Therefore, wash arms as mentioned. Now there is no
need to pour a handful of water over the arms. In fact, doing this (without a
valid justification) is wastage of water. Now (with the tap closed) perform
moistening of the head. This should be done by joining the tips of the three
fingers, other than the index fingers and thumbs, of both hands and placing them
on the top of forehead. Move back these fingers from forehead to the back of the
neck without letting the palms touch the head. Each palm should then be placed
on either side of the head and pulled across the sides back towards the
forehead. During this, the index fingers and thumbs should not touch the head at
all. Now use the index fingers to wipe the insides of the ears, the thumbs for
the back of ears and the small fingers should be inserted inside the holes of
ears. Now moisten the back of the neck using the back of fingers of both hands.
Some people, in addition, wipe the front of the neck, the forearms and wrists;
this is not Sunnah. Make a habit of turning the tap off before wiping the head.
To waste water by leaving the tap open fully or partially is a sin. Now wash
both feet three times, first the right and then the left, beginning from the
toes up to the top of the ankles. It is Mustahab to wash up to halfway up the
shin. To do Khilal between the fingers of both feet is Sunnah. The tap should be
kept turned off during Khilal. Its Mustahab method is to start doing Khilal from
little toe of the right foot to its big toe using the small finger of the left
hand, and then, doing Khilal from the big toe of the left foot to its little toe
using the same small finger of the left hand. (Common books)
Hujja-tul-Islam Imam Muhammad Ghazali says, “While washing each organ, one
should hope that the sins of that organ are being washed away.” (Ihya-ul-Ulum,
pp. 183, vol. 1)