Chapter on the Description of Ablution and Its Obligations

Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Yahya, from his father, from ibn Al-Mughira, from Al-Sakooni, from Imam Ja’far Al Sadiq عليه السلام: Imam عليه السلام said that the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace and blessings be upon him and his family, said: "Do not strike your faces with water when you perform ablution; rather, pour the water gently."

Ahmad ibn Muhammad ibn Isa, from Al-Hasan ibn Ali, from Abdullah ibn Al-Mughira, from Iys ibn Al-Qasim, from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, who said: Imam عليه السلام said: "Whoever mentions the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, during his ablution, it is as if he has performed a complete ritual bath (ghusl)."

Al-Husayn ibn Sa'id, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from some of our companions, from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, who said: Imam Al Sadiq عليه السلام said: "If you mention the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى during ablution, your entire body becomes purified. However, if you do not mention it, only the parts of your body that the water touches will be purified."

Imam عليه السلام said: "A man performed ablution and prayed. The Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, peace be upon him and his family, said to him: 'Repeat your prayer and your ablution.' So he did. Then he performed ablution and prayed again, but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, said: 'Repeat your ablution and your prayer.' He did so again, performed ablution, and prayed, but the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, said: 'Repeat your ablution and your prayer.' The man then approached the Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام, and complained about this. The Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام asked him: 'Did you mention Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى name when you performed ablution?' He replied: 'No.' The Commander of the Faithful عليه السلام said: 'Then mention Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى name during your ablution.' The man mentioned Allah’s سبحانه وتعالى name, performed ablution, and prayed. When he came to the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم, and (this time) Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم did not instruct him to repeat it."

Ahmad ibn Muhammad narrated from Ali ibn al-Hakam, from Dawud al-‘Ijli, the servant of Abu al-Mi’za, from Abu Basir, who said: Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, said: "O Abu Muhammad, whoever performs ablution and mentions the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted, his entire body becomes purified. But whoever does not mention the name of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, only the parts of his body that are touched by water will be purified."

Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahbub narrated from al-‘Abbas, from Sa'dan, from Abdullah ibn Sinan, who narrated from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام: I heard Imam عليه السلام say: “Whoever seeks to fulfill a need while not being in a state of ablution, and it is not fulfilled, should blame none but himself."

Narrated from al-‘Abbas, from Abdullah, from Rifa'ah, who said: I asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, about a person whose hand or foot is amputated - how should he perform ablution? Imam عليه السلام said: "He washes the place where it was amputated."

Narrated from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from Ja‘far ibn Bashir, from Hammad ibn Uthman, from Umar ibn Yazid, who said: I asked Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, about a man who dyes his hair with henna and then decides to perform ablution. Imam عليه السلام said: "He should wipe over the henna."

Narrated by Muhammad ibn Yahya, who raised it to Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, regarding someone who dyes his hair with henna and then decides to perform ablution. Imam عليه السلام said: "It is not valid until the water touches the skin of his head."

Narrated by Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahbub, from Ahmad, from Al-Husayn, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad ibn Uthman, from Muhammad ibn Muslim: It is reported from Abu Abdullah عليه السلام, regarding a man who shaves his head, then applies henna and performs ablution for prayer. Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm if he wipes over his head while the henna is on it."

Narrated by Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Musa ibn Al-Qasim, from Ali ibn Ja‘far, from his brother Imam Musa Al Kadhim عليه السلام: He (Ali Ibn Ja’far) said: "I asked Imam عليه السلام about a man who is not in a state of ablution and is then struck by rain, soaking his head, beard, body, hands, and feet. Would that suffice for his ablution?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "If he washes them, then that suffices for him."

Narrated by Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Hammad ibn Isa, from Hariz, from Zurara. Abu Ja‘far عليه السلام, said: "Indeed, Allah سبحانه وتعالى is One and loves odd numbers. Therefore, it suffices you in ablution to use three handfuls of water - one for face and two for arms. Then, you wipe your forehead with the moisture remaining in your right hand, and with what is left of the moisture in your right hand, you wipe the top of your right foot. And you wipe the top of your left foot with the moisture remaining in your left hand."

Narrated by Ahmad ibn Muhammad, from Safwan, from Al-'Ala', from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from one of the two Imams عليه السلام: I asked Imam عليه السلام about a man performing ablution - should he wash the inner part of his beard? Imam عليه السلام said: "No."

Narrated by Ali ibn Ibrahim, from his father, from Ibn Abi Najran, from Asim ibn Humayd, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from Abu Ja'far عليه السلام: I asked Imam عليه السلام about a man whose hand and foot are amputated (regarding his ablution). Imam عليه السلام said: "He washes them."

Narrated by Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Al-Amraki, from Ali ibn Ja'far, from his brother Imam Musa ibn Ja'far عليه السلام: I asked Imam عليه السلام about a man whose hand was cut off from the elbow. How does he perform ablution? Imam عليه السلام said: "He washes what remains of his upper arm."

Al-Husayn ibn Sa'id narrated from Uthman ibn Isa, from Ibn Muskan, from Abu Bakr al-Hadrami: I asked Imam عليه السلام about wiping over leather socks and the turban. Imam عليه السلام said: "The Book (Quran) has already preceded regarding the leather socks." And Imam عليه السلام said: "Do not wipe over a leather sock."

Safwan narrated from Ibn Muskan, from al-Halabi: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about wiping over leather socks. Imam عليه السلام said: "Do not wipe (over leather socks)." And Imam عليه السلام said: "Indeed, my grandfather (The Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم) said, 'The Book (Quran) has already preceded regarding the leather socks.'"

Ali ibn Ismail al-Mithami narrated from Fudhayl al-Rassan, from Raqabah ibn Masqalah: I entered upon Abu Ja'far عليه السلام and asked Imam عليه السلام about certain matters. Imam عليه السلام said: "I see that you are among those who issue religious rulings in the mosque of Iraq." I replied: "Yes." Imam عليه السلام said to me: "Where are you from?" I replied: "I am a cousin of Sa'sa'ah." Imam عليه السلام said: "Welcome, O cousin of Sa'sa'ah." I asked Imam عليه السلام: "What do you say about wiping over leather socks?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "Umar (second occupier) considered it permissible for three days for a traveler and one day and night for a resident. However, my father (Imam Ali Ibn Hussein عليه السلام) did not permit it, whether during travel or residence." When I left Imam عليه السلام presence and stood at the door's threshold, Imam عليه السلام called me back, saying: "Come back, O cousin of Sa'sa'ah." So I returned to Imam عليه السلام, and he said: "Indeed, the people used to give rulings based on their opinions, sometimes being right and sometimes wrong, but my father (Imam Ali Ibn Hussein عليه السلام) did not give rulings based on his opinion."

Safwan narrated from Al-Ala, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, from one of the Imams عليه السلام: Imam عليه السلام was asked about wiping over leather socks and the turban. Imam عليه السلام replied: "Do not wipe over them (leather socks and the turban)."

Hammad narrated from Hariz, from Zurara, from Abu Ja'far عليه السلام: I heard Imam عليه السلام say: “Umar ibn al-Khattab gathered the companions of the Prophet عليه السلام - and among them was (Imam) Ali عليه السلام - and said: "What do you say about wiping over leather socks?" Al-Mughira ibn Shu'ba stood up and said: "I saw the Messenger of Allah سبحانه وتعالى (peace be upon him and his family) wiping over leather socks." (Imam) Ali عليه السلام spoke and asked: "Was this before the revelation of Surah Al-Ma'idah or after it?" Al-Mughira replied: "I do not know." (Imam) Ali عليه السلام said: "The Book has preceded the ruling on leather socks (regarding its prohibition). Surah Al-Ma'idah was revealed two or three months before the Prophet صلى الله عليه وعلى آله وسلم passed away."

Fadala narrated from Hammad ibn Uthman, from Muhammad ibn al-Nu'man, from Abu al-Ward: I said to Abu Ja'far عليه السلام: “Abu Dhubyan told me that he saw (Imam) Ali عليه السلام relieve himself and then wipe over his leather socks (khuffayn).” Abu Ja'far عليه السلام replied: "Abu Dhubyan has lied! Have you not heard the statement of (Imam) Ali عليه السلام among you: 'The Book has preceded the ruling on leather socks'?" I asked: "Is there any allowance for it (wiping over the leather socks)?" Imam عليه السلام said: "No, except in the case of fearing an enemy or extreme cold that may harm your feet."

Al-Husayn ibn Sa'id narrated from Hammad, from Hariz, from Zurara who said: I asked Imam Abu Ja'far عليه السلام: "Is there any allowance for practicing taqiyya (dissimulation) in wiping over the leather socks (khuffayn)?" Imam عليه السلام replied three times: "There are three matters in which I do not practice taqiyya with anyone - drinking intoxicants, wiping over leather socks, and mut‘a of Hajj[5]."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub narrated from Muhammad ibn Yahya, from Muhammad ibn al-Husayn, from Safwan ibn Yahya, from Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj, who said: I asked Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام about a person with a fracture who has splints on it or someone with wounds - how should he perform wudu (ablution), ghusl janabah (ritual purification after major impurity), and ghusl jumu'ah (Friday bath)? Imam عليه السلام said: "He washes what he can reach with water from the areas that are exposed and not covered by splints. He leaves the parts that he cannot wash and does not remove the splints or tamper with the wounds."

Ali ibn Ibrahim narrated from his father, from Ibn Abi Umayr, from Hammad, from al-Halabi: Abu Abdillah عليه السلام was asked about a man who has a wound on his arm or a similar area required for wudu (ablution). The wound is bandaged with a cloth, and he performs ablution and wipes over it. Imam عليه السلام said: "If water harms him, then he should wipe over the cloth. But if water does not harm him, then he should remove the cloth and wash the wound." He (Narrator) further said: “I asked Imam عليه السلام about a cut - how should it be washed?” Imam عليه السلام said: "Wash around it."

Ali ibn Ibrahim narrated from Muhammad ibn Isa, from Yunus, from Abdullah ibn Sinan, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: I asked Imam عليه السلام about a wound - what should its owner do regarding it? Imam عليه السلام said: "He should wash around it."

Ahmad ibn Muhammad narrated from Ibn Mahbub, from Ali ibn al-Hasan ibn Ribaat, from Abdul A'la, the servant of Aal-e Sam, who said: I said to Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: "I stumbled, and my fingernail was torn off, so I placed a bandage on my finger. How should I perform wudu (ablution)?" Imam عليه السلام said: "This and similar cases are understood from the Book of Allah سبحانه وتعالى, the Exalted. Allah سبحانه وتعالى says: 'He has not placed upon you in religion any difficulty' (Surah Al-Hajj, 22:78). So, Wipe over it."

Al-Husayn ibn Sa'id narrated from Safwan, from Abdul-Rahman ibn al-Hajjaj, who said: I asked Abu IbraHim عليه السلام about a person who has a fracture and has splints or bandages on it - how should he perform wudu (ablution), ghusl for janabah (ritual purification after major impurity), and ghusl for Friday (Jumu’ah)? Imam عليه السلام said: "He should wash whatever part is reachable and visible that does not have splints or bandages on it, and leave out what cannot be washed due to inability. He should neither remove the splints nor tamper with the wound."

Fadalah narrated from Al-Ala’, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, who narrated from Abu Ja'far عليه السلام: I asked Imam عليه السلام about a person in a state of major ritual impurity (junub) who has a wound and fears that water might harm him if it touches the wound. Imam عليه السلام said: "Then he should not wash it if he fears for his safety."

Fadalah narrated from Kulayb Al-Asadi, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about a man who has a fracture - how should he perform his (ablution for) prayers? Imam عليه السلام said: "If he fears harm to himself, then he should wipe over his bandages and pray."

Al-Husayn ibn Sa'id narrated from Hammad, from Hariz, from Muhammad ibn Muslim, who said: I asked Abu Abdillah عليه السلام about wiping with a towel before the water dries. Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm in it."

Narrated from Uthman ibn Isa, from Ibn Muskan, from Abu Bakr al-Hadrami, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: Imam عليه السلام said: "There is no harm if a man wipes his face with a cloth after performing ablution, provided the cloth is clean."

Narrated by Muhammad ibn Ali ibn Mahbub, from Abu Yahya al-Wasiti, from some of his companions, from Abu Abdillah عليه السلام: I said: "May I be your ransom! I wash my face and then wash my hands, but Satan causes me to doubt whether I have washed my forearms and hands." Imam عليه السلام replied: "If you feel the coolness of the water on your forearm, then do not repeat it."

Narrated by Sa'd ibn Abdillah, from Musa ibn Ja'far, from Abu Ja'far, from al-Hasan ibn al-Husayn al-Lu’lu’i, from al-Hasan ibn Ali ibn Fadhal, from Abdullah ibn Bukayr, from Muhammad ibn Muslim: I heard Abu Abdillah عليه السلام say: "Whatever has passed from your prayer and purification, and you later remembered it in recollection, then continue with it, and there is no need for you to repeat it."

Sa'd narrated from Ahmad, from al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Washsha: I asked Abu al-Hasan عليه السلام about medicine applied to a man's hand. Would it suffice for him to wipe over the ointment during purification? Imam عليه السلام said: "Yes, it suffices for him to wipe over it."

Al-Husayn ibn Sa'id narrated from Hammad, from Zurara: I said to Imam عليه السلام: "What about what lies beneath the hair during purification?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Whatever is covered by the hair, the people are not required to wash it or examine it. Instead, water should simply flow over it."

Muhammad ibn Ya'qub narrated from Ali ibn Muhammad and Abdullah ibn Ibrahim al-Ahmar, from al-Hasan ibn Ali al-Washsha': I entered upon (Imam) al-Ridha عليه السلام and saw a pitcher in front of Imam عليه السلام, from which he intended to prepare himself for prayer. I approached to pour water for Imam عليه السلام, but he refused and said: "Stop, O Hasan!" I asked: "Why do you prevent me from pouring it upon your hands? Do you dislike that I earn a reward?" Imam عليه السلام replied: "You would earn a reward, but I would bear a burden." I asked: "How is that?" Imam عليه السلام said: "Have you not heard Allah سبحانه وتعالى say: 'So whoever hopes to meet his Lord - let him do righteous work and not associate anyone in the worship of his Lord عز وجل.' (Surah Al-Kahf 18:110) And here I am, preparing for prayer, which is worship, and I dislike that anyone should share in it with me."