Benefits of Wudhu in Light of Islam and Science

 

By Saima Nawaz                                                                                

When we wish to meet someone special, we put in our best effort to look nice and get dressed up appropriately to make the best first impression. Do we look presentable and clean? Accordingly, when we are going to communicate and prostrate to the Creator of all the creators, we should do it, having first been physically and spiritually cleansed.

For us Muslims, wudhu is a form of cleansing and purifying ourselves before offering our prayers. Performing wudhu is mandatory before offering prayers or performing an act of worship such as Adhkar, and any Ibadah cannot commence without it.

Our prayers are not accepted until we purify our body, soul, and mind from filth and dirt. Wudhu has cleaning benefits and improves lifestyle by stimulating blood circulation and removing dirt and germs from the exposed parts of our body.

Importance of Wudhu in Islam

Wudhu (Ablution) is an Arabic word that means ‘the purification of certain body parts.’

In Islam, wudhu has the utmost importance. We must perform wudhu before offering all our prayers. We should purify ourselves before turning to Allah Almighty since our prayers are only acceptable when performed after wudhu.
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said,

“When a Muslim or a believer washes his face in ablution, then every sin that he committed with his eyes will be washed away with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands, then every sin he committed with his hands will be washed away with the last drop of water. When he washes his feet, then every sin that he committed with his feet will be washed away with the last drop of water, until he emerges purified from sin” (Muslim).

The actual act of performing wudhu has several steps, which we should perform with patience and care. (You can learn more about how to perform wudhu here: https://thewudhusocks.com/blogs/all-about-the-wudhu-socks/how-to-perform-wudhu-ablution)
Apart from the actual steps of wudhu, the most important thing to do before wudhu is to make Niyyah, which means to make the intention to perform wudhu. Islam constantly emphasizes the importance of Taharah and cleanliness, and wudhu is one the best way to clean ourselves. It helps protect us from several kinds of mental and physical diseases.

Our Prophet (PBUH) said:

“He who performs Wudhu like this, his previous sins will be forgiven, and his Salat and walking to the mosque will be considered as a supererogatory act of worship” (Muslim).

It is evident from this hadith that wudhu is the way to eliminate sins from our bodies.

Medical benefits of Wudhu

Scientists have shown keen interest in analyzing the act of wudhu and its impact on our overall health. With the help of modern research and technology, they have concluded the numerous benefits of wudhu. Some of these are:

• The benefit of nasal inhalation – When we wash our noses during wudhu, we use nasal inhalation to draw water up to our nostrils, enabling us to clean our noses properly. By repeating this technique at least five times daily, we can eliminate 60% of harmful bacteria. Wudu eliminates dust, allergens, and contaminated materials, assisting in preventing diseases such as the flu and sinusitis.

  (Sherifa Mostafa M.Sabra, 2018. Ablution Health Benefits Through Comparison. Retrieved from the https://medcraveonline.com/JABB/ablution-wudu-health-benefits-hbs-through-comparison-nasalndashcavity-nc-bacterialndashcontent-bc-with-goldndashstandard-gs-at-highndashaltitude-ha-area-taif-ksa.html)

• Wudhu helps improve sleep quality in young women – Since women have a lower quality of sleep than males, a study was done to determine the benefits of wudhu on effective sleep. Medical specialists decided as a consequence of this research that wudhu is a form of Islamic psychotherapy that significantly improves sleep quality, particularly in young women. The Prophet (PBUH) also suggested we perform wudhu before sleeping to feel relaxed.

  (Reza, 2016. Teori dan Praktik Psikoterapi Islam. Retrieved from https://ejournal.iai-tribakti.ac.id/index.php/psikologi/article/view/1042)

• Wudhu is an efficient preventive measure against infectious diseases - Wudhu, when performed five or more times a day, can also help us maintain proper personal cleanliness, which can help us lower our risks of contracting various infections.

(Rizwan M.Khan & M.Yasir, Wudu-An Effective Preventive Measure Against Many Infectious Diseases. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mohammed-Yasir/publication/349337856_Wudu_Ablution_An_Effective_Preventive_Measure_against_Many_Infectious_Diseases/links/602b6fc192851c4ed5752a29/Wudu-Ablution-An-Effective-Preventive-Measure-against-Many-Infectious-Diseases.pdf)

• Wudhu cleanses and replenishes the skin - On average, 500–1000 different kinds of bacteria may be found on human skin. Wudu is an effective way to wash away bacteria that might be harmful to one’s health. Face washing during wudhu is extremely useful for rejuvenating and enhancing the complexion of the face. Moreover, it cleanses the skin from dirt and germs, which helps minimize the occurrence of acne, pimples, and wrinkles.

(Khalid M.AlGhamdi, Huma Khurram, Fahad A.AlHomoudi, 2014. Skincare: Historical and Contemporary Views. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1319016413000194)

To achieve maximum benefits of wudhu, we must be in the condition of wudhu all the time. It will help us get closer to Allah Almighty and help to keep us healthy.

Benefits of Wudhu from Quran and Ahadith:

Allah Almighty says in Quran:

“Oh, you who believe, when you prepare yourself for prayer, wash your faces, and your hands and arms to the elbow, rub your heads, and wash your feet to the ankles. If you are in the state of the ceremonial impurity, bathe your whole body.”

Our Messenger (PBUH) said:

“When a Muslim or a believer washes his face (in the course of wudhu) every sin he did from his eyes is washed away from his face with water, or with the last drop of water, when he washes his hands every sin he wrought erased from his hands with water, or with the last drop of water, and when he washes his feet, every sin towards which his feet walked is washed away with water or with the last drop of water, with the result that he comes out cleansed of all sins.”

How to make the best out of wudhu?

To make the most out of wudhu, do it correctly and completely, following every step. You can incorporate some advanced elements to enhance wudhu’s timing or make it easy for you to repeat the process.

For example, travelers and other people who have difficulty performing wudhu the usual way can wear waterproof socks. Traditionally, people used leather socks (khuffs) in this case. All one needs to do is perform wudhu once without the waterproof socks, and then they are good to go for the rest of the day. When you must perform wudhu again, you can simply wet your hands and do the massah technique (ritual wiping over the socks). Wearing such accessories will help you to perform wudhu and offer prayers no matter where you are.

Perform the most convenient Wudhu with The Wudhu Socks

As you already know, wudhu is an essential element for all prayers, and you cannot offer your prayers without performing perfect wudhu. Wudhu-friendly accessories like The Wudhu Socks can help make our lives more convenient. The Wudhu Socks are waterproof, breathable, comfortable, and most importantly, approved by religious scholars. They offer significant benefits above traditional leather khuffs, which are uncomfortable for all-day wear.  Learn more about The Wudhu Socks here: www.thewudhusocks.com