The Obligatory (Compulsory) Acts of Wudu'

Question: What are the obligatory acts (faraid) of wudu' according to

the four madhahib?
ANSWER
According to the Hanafi Madhhab, they are as follows:
1. To wash the face,
2. To wash the two arms [the hands are included in the arms],
3. To apply masah (wiping) on at least one-fourth of the head,
4. To wash the two feet.

According to the Maliki Madhhab, they are as follows:

1. To make intention,
2. To wash the face,
3. To wash the two arms,
4. To apply masah on the entire head,
5. To wash the two feet,
6. Muwalat [to wash the bodily parts one right after another without a
break],
7. Dalk [to rub the parts washed].

According to the Shafi'i Madhhab, they are as follows:

1. To make intention,
2. To wash the face,
3. To wash the two arms,
4. To apply masah on a slight portion of the head,
5. To wash the two feet,
6. Tartib [to wash the parts in the prescribed sequence].

The compulsory actions or Fard in Wudu (Ablution) are as follows:

1. Washing the face from hair of the forehead to the lower portion of the
chin; and across from one ear to the other

2. Washing both hands and arms upto the elbows

 3. Performing the Masah (wiping with wet hands, one fourth of ones
head)

4. Washing both the feet upto the ankles

There are total 13 Sunnah actions in Ablution. These are:

1. Saying the Intention (Niyyah)

2. Reciting Bismillah

3. Washing the hands, three times, upto the wrists

4. Brushing teeth with a tooth-stick (Miswak)

5. Rinsing the mouth, thrice

6. Sniffing water into the nostrils, thrice,

7. Combing (doing Khilal) the beard with the fingers

8. Passing fingers of both hands, against each other, and also passing
them through the toes (Khilal of fingers and toes)

9. Washing, each limb, three times

10. Performing the Masah once over the whole head

11. Performing the Masah of the two ear

12. Performing Ablution (Wudu) in proper order

13. Washing each part, one after the other, without pause, to
ensure that no part dries up before the next step. (see topics on
Masha on Socks)

In addition to Fard and Sunnah there are some other desirable actions
(Mustahabbat) in Wudu. These are:
 1. To begin Ablution (Wudu) from the right side Some scholars regard
this among the Masnun (Sunnah) acts. This is quite likely.

2. Performing Masah of the nape.

3. Performing Ablution all by himself, without taking others help.

4. Facing Qiblah.

5. Performing Ablution while sitting at a clean and elevated place.

Some things that are not considered as desirable in Wudu are known as
Makruhat. These are:

1. Performing Ablution at a dirty place

2. Blowing ones nose with the right hand

3. Talking worldly affairs while performing Ablution

4. Performing Ablution in a manner contrary to Sunnah