Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,

As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.  (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)

One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

are there any duas you read whilst doing your wudu?  

(There may be some grammatical and spelling errors in the above statement. The forum does not change anything from questions, comments and statements received from our readers for circulation in confidentiality.)

Answer:

Dua while wudu

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 5 Surah Maidah verse 6:

O believers, when you rise to offer the salaat, you must wash your faces and hands and arms up to the elbows, and wipe your heads with wet hands, and wash your feet up to the ankles. And if you have become unclean (because of sexual intercourse), then cleanse yourselves with a full bath. If, however, you are sick or are on a journey, or if any of you have relieved yourself, or if you have ‘touched’ women and you cannot find water, then cleanse yourself with pure dust; strike your palms on it and wipe your hands and faces with it. Allah does not will to make life hard for you, but He wills to purify you and complete His blessings upon you so that you may show gratitude.

The command of wudu is from the above Aayah of Surah Maidah, and a pre-condition for performing the prayers. The Messenger of Allah (saws) performed the act of wudu several thousand times in his lifetime, and quite a number of ahaadiths are related regarding the exact acts of wudu by those who witnessed the Prophet (saws) perform it.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 111

Abdu Khayr said: ‘Ali came upon us and he had already offered prayer. He called for water. We asked: “What will you do with water when you have already offered prayer? - Perhaps to teach us.” A utensil containing water and a wash-basin were brought (to him). He poured water from the utensil on his right hand and washed both his hands three times, rinsed the mouth, snuffed up water and cleansed the nose three times. He then rinsed the mouth and snuffed up water with the same hand by which he took water. He then washed his face three times, and washed his right hand three times and washed his left hand three times. He then put his hand in water and wiped his head once. He then washed his right foot thrice and left foot thrice, then said: If one is pleased to know the method of performing ablution of the Messenger of Allah (saws), this is how he did it.’

The Messenger of Allah (saws) made intention to purify himself, declared ‘Bismillah’ (In the Name of Allah), and started his wudu. He did not recite any supplications during the course of the wudu itself, nor did he make it a condition to repeat any supplication during the wudu. He (saws) did make various supplications to Allah Subhanah after he had finished his wudu.

The Messenger of Allah (saws) supplicated Allah thus after he had completed his wudu, : “‘Allah hummaj alnee minat-tawwabeen, waj alnee minal mutah-tahereen’ (O Allah, make me one of those who constantly repents to You, and of those who purify themselves.)”

Related by At-Tirmidhee.

Abu Saeed Al Khudri narrated that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Whoever makes wudu then says upon finishing his wudu: ‘Subhanaka Allah humma wa bihamdika, ashhadu anlaa ilaaha illa anta, astaghfiruka wa atoobu ilaik’ (Glory be to You O Allah, and all praise belongs to You; I bear witness that there is none worthy of worship except You. I seek Your Forgiveness, and I turn to You), it is written in a parchment, then sealed and is not opened till the Day of Resurrection.”

Narrated Hadrat Umar ibn Al-Khattab (r.a.) that he heard the Messenger of Allah (saws) say: ‘None of you makes wudu and completes the wudu, then says: “I bear witness that none has the right to be worshipped except Allah Alone, He has no partners; and I bear witness that Mohamed is His slave-servant and His Messenger”, except that all eight Gates of Paradise are opened for him, so he may enter by whichever he pleases.’

Related by Muslim, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhee, An Nisaae, and Ibn Maajah.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan