The Merits of Ablution (Wudu')

Allah says:

"O you who believe! When you intend to offer As-Salat, wash your faces and your hands

up to the elbows, wipe your heads, and your feet up to the ankles'' (Glorious Qur’an 5:6)

   Abu Malik Al-Ash`ari (R.A) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: "Wudu' is half the Iman”. [Muslim].

   Umar bin Al-Khattab (R.A) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Whoever of you performs Wudu' carefully and then affirms: `Ash-hadu an la ilaha illallahu Wahdahu la sharika Lahu, wa ash-hadu anna Muhammadan `abduhu wa Rasuluhu [I testify that there so no true god except Allah Alone, Who has no partners and that Muhammad (pbuh) is His slave and Messenger], the eight gates of Jannah are opened for him. He may enter through whichever of these gates he desires”. [Muslim]. In At-Tirmidhi, it is added: "Allahummaj-`alni minat-tawwabina, waj-`alni minal-mutatahhirin (O Allah make me among those who repent and purify themselves)”.

   Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported: I heard the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying: "On the Day of Resurrection, my followers (or Ummah) will be summoned `Al-Ghurr Al-Muhajjalun' from the traces of Wudu'. Whoever can increase the area of his radiance should do so”. [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]. [It refers to that light which will shine through the hands and feet of the believers because of their habit of performing Wudu]

   Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported: I heard my Khalil (the Messenger of Allah (pbuh)) as saying, "The adornment of the believer (in Jannah) will reach the places where the water of Wudu' reaches (his body)”. [Muslim].

   Uthman bin`Affan (R.A) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "He who performs the Wudu' perfectly, his sins will depart from his body, even from under his nails”. [Muslim].

[sins, here stands for minor sins which are not related to the rights of people and major sins]

   Uthman bin `Affan (R.A) reported: I saw the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) performing Wudu' the way I have just done it and said, "He who performs Wudu' like this, his previous sins will be forgiven and his Salat and walking to the mosque will be considered as supererogatory act of worship.'' [Muslim].

   Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported: The Messenger of Allah  (pbuh) said, "When a Muslim, or a believer, washes his face (in Wudu'), every sin which he committed with his eyes, will be washed away from his face with water, or with the last drop of water; when he washes his hands, every sin which is committed by his hands will be effaced from his hands with the water, or with the last drop of water; and when he washes his feet, every sin his feet committed will be washed away with the water, or with the last drop of water; until he finally emerges cleansed of all his sins”. [Muslim].

   Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) went to the (Baqi`) cemetery and said, "May you be secured from punishment, O dwellers of abode of the believers! We, if Allah wills, will follow you. I wish we see my brothers.'' The Companions said, "O Messenger of Allah! Are not we your brothers?'' He (pbuh) said, "You are my Companions, but my brothers are those who have not come into the world yet.'' They said; "O Messenger of Allah! How will you recognize those of your Ummah who are not born yet?'' He (pbuh) said, "Say, if a man has white-footed horses with white foreheads among horses which are pure black, will he not recognize his own horses?'' They said; "Certainly, O Messenger of Allah!'' He (pbuh) said, "They (my followers) will come with bright faces and white limbs because of Wudu'; and I will arrive at the Haud (Al-Kauthar) ahead of them”. [Muslim].

   Abu Hurairah (R.A) reported: The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said, "Shall I not tell you something by which Allah effaces the sins and elevates ranks (in Jannah)?'' The Companions said; "Certainly, O Messenger of Allah.'' He (pbuh) said, "Performing the Wudu' thoroughly in spite of difficult circumstances, walking with more paces to the mosque, and waiting for the next As-Salat after observing Salat; and that is Ar-Ribat, and that is Ar-Ribat”. [Muslim].

[To wait for the next Salat after offering a Salat is regarded as Ribat because, a person keeps himself constantly engaged in the obedience and worship of Allah and keep Satan away from him.]

                {Taken from Riyad-us-Saliheen, The Merits of Ablutions (Wudu'), Chapter 185}