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Islamiyat · Oct / Nov 2025 · Paper 21 · Question 5

0493

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  • 5(a)[10]

    Give a detailed account of the method and importance of ablution (wudu) before prayer.

    Use the AO1 Levels of Response.

    Ablution (wudu) is the act of attaining ritual purity. Four rites are mentioned in the Qur’an specifically for the performance of wudu. They are:

    To wash the face from the top of the head to the chin and as far as the ears
    To wash hands and arms up to the elbows
    To wipe the head with wet hands
    To wash the feet up to the ankles.

    The above is the compulsory fard practice of how to perform ablution. The sunna method of performing wudu is:

    One must begin the wudu with God’s name
    The intention to perform the wudu must be made
    A clean area should be used to perform wudu preferably facing the qibla and clean water should be used
    Hands should be washed up to the wrists. Miswak or a brush must be used to clean one’s teeth
    The mouth should be rinsed (gargled) three times
    The face is then washed from the forehead down to the throat, and from ear to ear
    Both forearms are washed thrice, from wrists to elbows beginning with the right arm
    After the above, wet palms are passed over the head(once), this is called masah of the head
    Similarly, masah of the neck is performed followed by cleaning the ears back and front
    Finally, the right foot and then the left foot are washed up to the ankles thrice each.

    Wudu is supposed to be in a continuous process such that each body part should be washed one after the other thrice and no body part should be allowed to dry before the next is washed in the prescribed way. The Prophet (pbuh) said that wudu is not considered to have taken place if any part of the body which is supposed to be washed remains dry. So, washing three times eliminates the possibility of any body part being left unwashed. The Prophet (pbuh) after wudu proclaimed the shahadah. It is important because it is through wudu that a person cleanses himself of any minor impurities. It is required for a believer to be purified before he performs the daily prayers. Islam lays great emphasis upon the concept of purity and cleanliness as the Prophet (pbuh) stated, ‘Cleanliness is one half of faith’.

    The candidates could add that the Qur’an has also highlighted its importance, ‘Allah loves those who make themselves pure’. It is believed that wudu washes away the sins of a believer and purifies them, hence it is given a lot of importance.

  • 5(b)[4]

    What in your opinion are the benefits of dry ablution (tayammum)? Use the AO2 Levels of Response.

    Candidates for this part answer could say that permission for tayammum is given by God in the case of non-availability of water or on the grounds of illness. God in the Qur’an has clearly said that ‘Allah does not wish to place you in difficulty but to make you clean.’

    Candidates can go on to say that tayammum benefits the believer as it prepares the believer mentally for the worship they are about to perform. To create a connection between God and the believer and to move the focus of the believer from the world to God.

    Tayammum also removes one’s sins so those who may not be able to access water due to its unavailability or because of illness are not deprived of the benefits of prayer, as indeed God is just to all.

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